Who frontman Roger Daltrey hints new solo tour may be his last
by The Washington Times AI News Desk · The Washington TimesRoger Daltrey, the 82-year-old frontman of The Who, is hitting the road this summer for what could be his final solo tour of the United States, announcing a string of new dates dubbed “A Great Night Out” about a year after The Who wrapped their North American Farewell Tour.
Mr. Daltrey described the run as “one more for the road,” telling Rolling Stone the tour could “possibly” be his last.
“After finishing The Who’s final tour of the U.S., it’s time for me as a solo artist to possibly do the same,” he said. “After touring solo with different bands of musicians for the last 17 years, a less grueling life becomes more attractive — I’ll see.”
The newly announced run kicks off in August and stretches into September, with general tickets on sale Friday through Ticketmaster.
Mr. Daltrey will be backed by a nine-piece ensemble drawn from his 2024 semi-acoustic solo tour, including guitarist Simon Townshend — brother of The Who co-founder Pete Townshend — bassist John Hogg, drummer Scott Devours, percussionist Jody Linscott, guitarist Doug Boyle, mandolinist Billy Nicholls, violinist Katie Jacoby, harmonica player Steve Weston and keyboardist-accordionist Geraint Watkins.
“With my present lineup of nine musicians, I have this opportunity to see your beautiful country and enjoy the hospitality you have shown me over so many years,” Mr. Daltrey told Rolling Stone. “I’ll be off the backing tracks and always searching for different soundscapes to present the songs. It’s a lot of fun and gives me the chance to have a great night out.”
His 2024 semi-acoustic tour dates featured Who classics such as “Baba O’Riley” and “Who Are You,” alongside deeper cuts and solo material.
Mr. Daltrey has spoken candidly in recent years about his declining health. He has previously said he has lost hearing due to decades of exposure to loud music and disclosed last year that his vision is also beginning to fail.
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“The joys of getting old mean you go deaf, I also now have got the joy of going blind,” he told a London concert crowd. “Fortunately, I still have my voice, because then I’ll have a full ’Tommy,’” a reference to The Who’s 1969 rock opera about a boy who is deaf, dumb and blind.
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