Roger Daltrey Gets Dark About Turning 80: ‘I’m On My Way Out’
Roger Daltrey turned 80 on March 1, and the often blunt and forthcoming Who frontman had some pretty dark things to say about it.
In a new interview with U.K.’s The Times, Daltrey said, “I have to be realistic: I’m on my way out. The average life expectancy is 83, and with a bit of luck, I’ll make that, but we need someone else to drive things.”
Despite needing “someone else to drive things,” Daltrey is hitting the road in North America this June on what he calls a “special semi-acoustic” tour. During the tour, he’ll perform hits and rarities from The Who and share stories from his career. (Fingers crossed they won’t hit you like a ton of bricks like his whole “I’m on my way out” comment.)
Dates for Daltrey’s tour are below, with full ticket details available at TheWho.com.
June 12 – Wolf Trap – Vienna, VA @ Filene Center
June 14 – Niagara Falls, ON @ OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino
June 16 – Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
June 18 – Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre
June 20 – Boston, MA @ Leader Bank Pavilion
June 22 – Lenox, MA @ Tanglewood – The Koussevitzky Music Shed
June 25 – Detroit, MI @ Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
June 27 – Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
June 29 – Highland Park, IL @ The Pavilion at Ravinia
Roger Daltrey performing on stage. (Fabrice Demessence)
What Does This Mean for The Who?
Both Daltrey and Pete Townshend have made comments in the press about the uncertain future of The Who.
In January, Daltrey said in another interview with The Times that he couldn’t give a definitive answer because he’s not the one who writes the songs. (Townshend, of course, has always been the band’s primary songwriter.)
However, Daltrey did say, “[Pete and I] need to sit down and have a meeting, but at the moment, I’m happy saying that part of my life is over.”
In December 2023, Townshend made similar remarks to Record Collector. He said, “I think it’s time for Roger and I to go to lunch and have a chat about what happens next.”
Townshend then added, “Because [the final summer tour stop] shouldn’t feel like the end of anything, but it feels like the end of an era.”
As far as performing and touring goes, Townshend stressed that it all depends on a few factors. Among them is whether an idea would be doable and profitable. Perhaps the most important factor is whether an idea would even be fun to do. Believe it or not, Townshend said he’s had a lot of fun on the road lately, even though he’s said in the past he’s not super fond of touring.
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