Yahoo Lifestyle The Who's Roger Daltrey Shares Health Update: 'The Joys of Getting Old'
Roger Daltrey famously sang in the Who’s 1969 hit “Pinball Wizard” about a “deaf, dumb, and blind kid.” Now he appears to be facing at least two of those afflictions himself.
"The joys of getting old mean you go deaf," Daltrey said at a concert in the U.K. on March 26, according to Sky News. "I also now have got the joy of going blind."
"Fortunately, I still have my voice," Daltrey told the crowd at Royal Albert Hall in London at the first of two of the band’s benefit shows for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
"Then I'll have a full Tommy," he added, in reference to the lead character from The Who's 1969 landmark rock opera Tommy, which featured “Pinball Wizard.”
It’s interesting to hear Daltrey address aging, since one of the Who’s early hits, 1966’s “My Generation,” composed by songwriter-guitarist Pete Townshend, famously includes the line “I hope I die before I get old.” The two surviving members of the Who are old now. Daltrey turned 81 on March 1, while Townshend will turn 80 on May 19, and he recently underwent knee replacement surgery, according to Rolling Stone.
Yet despite their age, the Who is still experiencing some firsts. On Sunday, March 30, the Who performed “The Song Is Over” for the first time live, even though it was released on 1971’s acclaimed Who’s Next album.
“We dedicate this to all the fans that heard the 2016 setlist 100 times,” Pete Townshend told the audience in a video that can be seen via YouTube. “Well, not 100 times, but a lot. So, we’re going to have a go at this one. I think Roger is having trouble hearing though.”
Due to his deteriorating hearing, Daltrey had problems performing the 54-year-old song during the first attempt. “To sing that song, I do need to hear the key,” he said. “And I can’t hear. There’s no pitch here. I just hear drums, ‘boom boom boom.’ I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys. We’ll try one more even though it’s getting late.”
Fortunately, Daltrey was able to pull it off on his second attempt.
