Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Roger Daltrey of The Who Discloses Health Battles Amid London Performances
Roger Daltrey, the iconic frontman of legendary rock band The Who, recently shared with concertgoers that he has been contending with multiple health challenges. Speaking at The Who’s performance in London on Thursday, March 27, the 81-year-old musician revealed to the audience, as reported by Sky News, “The joys of aging mean you experience hearing loss. I am also now experiencing blindness.” However, Daltrey reassured fans, “Fortunately, my voice remains.”
Daltrey Jests About Health Issues Referencing ‘Tommy’
Daltrey lightheartedly remarked that once his vocal abilities diminish, he will embody a “full Tommy,” alluding to The Who’s acclaimed 1969 rock opera, Tommy. The concept album narrates the tale of Tommy Walker, a fictional character who withdraws from reality and becomes “deaf, dumb, and blind” to his surroundings. This reference served as a humorous yet poignant acknowledgment of his current health situation in relation to the band’s iconic work.
Pete Townshend Reveals Knee Surgery
Later in the same London concert, Pete Townshend, Daltrey’s bandmate and fellow founding member, also disclosed his own physical condition. Townshend, 79, announced to the attendees, “Four-and-a-half weeks prior, I underwent a left knee replacement.” He then jokingly suggested auctioning off his replaced knee, adding levity to the shared health updates from the stage.
The Who’s London Shows Benefit Teenage Cancer Trust
The Who’s recent performances in London were part of a series of shows to benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust charity. Daltrey has a long-standing association with the charity, having previously served as curator for the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Royal Albert Hall concerts. While he has recently stepped down from this curatorial role, Daltrey remains an honorary patron of the non-profit organization, underscoring his continued commitment to their cause.
Daltrey and Townshend: Surviving Members Reflect on Legacy
Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend are the last remaining original members of The Who. They established the band in 1964 alongside bassist John Entwistle, who passed away in 2002 at the age of 57, and drummer Keith Moon, who died in 1978 at age 32. Despite these losses, Daltrey and Townshend have sustained The Who for six decades, cementing their enduring influence in music history.
Retirement Considerations and Future Plans
Following Entwistle’s death, Daltrey and Townshend have kept The Who active for decades. However, both musicians have contemplated the idea of retirement. Pete Townshend mentioned the possibility of a final tour, similar to Elton John’s farewell tour in 2022, indicating they are weighing options for concluding their extensive performing careers. Speaking to The Sun in April 2023, Townshend stated, “I suppose Roger and I, at some juncture, will consider the future and determine if we wish to conclude our journey in a manner akin to Elton John’s farewell.”
Townshend further acknowledged their advancing age, recognizing the “downside” it presents, both on and off stage. He elaborated, “Upon concluding a tour, the return to everyday life—whatever pursuit one chooses away from touring—becomes more challenging and requires a longer adjustment.” This reflection hints at the physical demands of performing and the considerations influencing their decisions about the future of The Who.