Roger Daltrey Admits Health Fears Ahead of The Who Farewell Tour
Hi, I am Maya Rivers, dreaming in rhyme about rock royalty as if every story were the final verse in a grand ballad.
Ah the twilight of a legend finds itself bathed in spotlights and anxious breaths as Roger Daltrey, at 81 years young, confesses to feeling “nervous” about his health before The Who embarks on “The Song Is Over” farewell tour this August. Speaking with The Times, Daltrey laid bare the rigors that await him when the band hits the road August 16 in Florida for a series of concerts culminating September 28 in Las Vegas. This candid admission reminds us that even rock immortals face the frailties of the flesh.
In his frank interview published August 1, Daltrey compared his past stamina to that of top athletes. “Back in the day, singing Who songs for three hours a night, six nights a week meant working harder than most footballers,” he revealed. Yet those were days when the “Baba O’Riley” anthem echoed through stadiums and youthful vigor fueled each note. Now, with decades of performance etched into his voice, the singer wonders if he will still conquer those keys by fall.
Reflecting on a serious bout of meningitis in 2015, Daltrey admitted the virus left lingering damage. “It messed with my internal thermometer so any climate over 75 degrees has me drenched in sweat,” he explained to The Times. That sudden loss of body salts and rising risk of illness fuel his current anxiety. Despite this, the vocalist insists his “voice is still as good as ever” and that he continues to tackle “Pinball Wizard” with thunderous volume.
The Who story began in 1964 when Daltrey joined forces with Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and Keith Moon. Moon’s tragic overdose death in 1978 and Entwistle’s heart attack in 2002 narrowed the lineup to a powerful duo of Townshend and Daltrey. In announcing the farewell leg back in May, they acknowledged the emotional weight of closing this chapter. “It is a poignant time,” Townshend said, adding that fans new and old should share in “fond memories, love and laughter.”
Daltrey has never shied from self deprecation about aging. Onstage at London’s Royal Albert Hall this March, he joked about losing sight and hearing. “At least I still have my voice,” he quipped, turning physical decline into a punch line worthy of Tommy’s silent hero. Yet beneath the humor lies genuine concern. He confessed, “There’s a big part of me that’s going: I just hope I make it through.”
As the final curtain draws near, fans will witness a rock opera written in sweat, soul and a lifetime of anthems. Will the roar of the crowd carry Daltrey across the finish line, keys intact and spirits soaring? Time will tell if this venerable frontman can deliver one last act worthy of The Who legacy.
And so, the verse ends with a breath held in anticipation.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, The Times
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
