After bandmate Pete Townshend announced his knee replacement surgery, Roger Daltrey candidly shares his own health issues that come with age, offering insights and humor while continuing to inspire fans.
- April 1, 2025
AceShowbiz - The Who's iconic frontman, Roger Daltrey, has revealed that he is slowly going deaf and blind. During a concert at London's Royal Albert Hall, Daltrey, who turned 81 on March 1, shared the poignant news with his audience.
Emphasizing the "joys of getting old," the musician noted, "The joys of getting old mean you go deaf. I also now have got the joy of going blind. Fortunately, I still have my voice, because then I'll have a full Tommy."
Despite these challenges, Daltrey's humor remains intact. He referenced "Tommy," The Who's 1969 rock opera whose titular character is deaf, mute, and blind, joking that losing his voice would complete his transformation into Tommy.
"Take your f***ing earplugs with you to the gigs," Daltrey reportedly told the crowd, as he reflected on his lengthy career and hearing loss in a solo concert in Las Vegas in 2018.
Daltrey's bandmate Pete Townshend, 79, also shared his own health struggles. He revealed, "Four and a half weeks ago, I had my left knee replaced." Townshend jokingly blamed his knee injury on attempts to dance like The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, adding a lighthearted twist by suggesting he might "auction off the old one" once he got his new knee in surgery.
The bond between Daltrey and Townshend, the two remaining original members of The Who, remains unbroken as they continue performing and advocating for causes such as the Teenage Cancer Trust. Daltrey has been involved in the charity's Royal Albert Hall concerts since their inception in 2000, stepping back this year but staying on as an honorary patron.
The Who, known for hits like "My Generation," "Baba O'Riley," and "Won't Get Fooled Again," has shown no signs of slowing down despite their advancing age. Townshend hinted at a possible farewell tour, suggesting, "It feels to me like there's one thing The Who can do, and that's a final tour where we play every territory in the world and then crawl off to die."
In a reflective moment, Daltrey told The Times in January 2024, "My dreams came true so, listen, I'm ready to go at any time. My family are all great and all taken care of. You've got to be realistic. You can't live your life forever. Like I said, people my age, we're in the way. There are no guitar strings to be changed on this old instrument."
The resilience and humor of Daltrey and Townshend as they confront aging continue to inspire fans young and old. The Who's legacy as one of the most influential rock bands remains strong, transcending time and personal struggles.
