The Who’s Roger Daltrey says “he’s going blind” as he opened up about “getting old”. Playing to a packed crowd at London’s Royal Albert Hall with the band on Thursday night, frontman Roger, 81, made the frank admission. Sporting purple-tinted glasses for the show, he revealed that they weren’t just a fashion statement.
“The joys of getting old,” he began. “Not only am I going deaf, I’m also now going blind.” He added: “Fortunately I still have my voice, because if I lose that I’ll have the full Tommy!” Meanwhile Pete Townshend admitted that he had a “complete knee replacement” just four and a half weeks before taking the stage. “But because I’m Superman, I’m here!” Pete shouted to the crowd. “Maybe I should auction off the old one. Elton John had one done, and he wears his as a bracelet. Unfortunately, mine’s in three bits.”
He later popped a painkiller while on stage, and admitted that he doesn’t like taking as many as he ought to or it impacts the music. “It’s suddenly disconnected my brain from my fingers. We do four days of rehearsal, and most of it was a bit of a muddle for me,” he said.
“You know, tonight isn’t perfect but it could have been f**king worse! You’ll probably notice I’m a bit wobbly, just making sure they’re playing the right notes,” he later jibed at his band, threatening to have a proper dance despite the recent surgery as Daltrey ran over to laughingly stop his pal from wildly jumping around. The event was in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, with 1980s jazz-funk band Level 42 opening the show at the sold-out event. Dressed casually in jeans and t-shirts, originals Roger and Pete were supported by their vibrant younger protegees, including Zak Starkey, the son of Ringo Starr of The Beatles on the drums.
Playing hits I Can’t Explain and Who Are You, they take to the stage again tomorrow night for a second date.
Despite their ailments, the original pair still act like rockstars, with Daltrey peacocking and swinging the mic around while Townshend danced along as his riffs blasted out at an insane pace.
And the crowd were in raptures, with one fan commented: “It was the best I’ve ever seen them.”
Daltrey and Townshend have been involved in the Teenage Cancer Trust for decades and raised thousands for the charity. Daltry founded the concerts in 2000, but announced last year that he was stepping down as curator, allowing The Cure’s Robert Smith to take the reins.
Daltrey said he’s been so lucky to live the life he has with The Who, and that even as he ages what he’s going though is a “piece of p**s” compared to being a young person with cancer.
In an interview last year that he “has to be realistic” about his age, claiming that he is “on the way out”.
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