Roger Daltrey
A Reason To Smile
During a German bombing raid of London 82 years ago today, Irene Daltrey gave birth to a baby boy. Her son became rock legend Roger Daltrey, whose powerful voice and charismatic stage presence made The Who one of the most influential bands of the 20th century. Daltrey is this week’s reason to smile.
Almost every major music award and accolade has been bestowed on Daltrey and his bandmates — Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, and John Entwistle. In addition to winning multiple Grammys, the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Daltrey and Townshend were given Kennedy Center Honors, and Daltrey was included on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 greatest singers. Most recently, he was knighted by King Charles III.
The Who had numerous hit songs, but we chose “My Generation” to highlight because it captures the exuberance and revolutionary spirit of the 1960s. Maybe it will inspire that feeling in young (and old) people today.
A few years back, I had the good fortune to interview Daltrey. When I asked him to pinpoint the moment he went from aspiring singer to rock star, he said it was The Who’s performance at Woodstock in 1969 that cemented their place in the rock music pantheon.
“We were a well known band, in this country and in Britain and Europe. And we’d had hit records. But Woodstock, the whole event of Woodstock, just captured people’s imaginations. It became stuff of legends. It was that one event after which life changed greatly,” Daltrey said.
As a founding member of the British Invasion, Daltrey was on the front lines of a new musical genre. “The great thing about rock and roll is that we were inventing it as we went along. It was all made on the hoof. Whatever we wanted to do, we did,” he told me.
Most people might think that headlining the Super Bowl halftime show at age 65 would be a great swan song. Not Daltrey, who once said he would never retire. And it appears he meant it. The Who is currently on a farewell tour.
I asked him how he keeps his voice concert-ready. “I do work at it,” he explained. “I have to be fit to sing our songs, Pete’s songs. It’s all about the words. What I’m really proud of is that you can listen to any Who record. You’ll hear every word.”
Happy birthday, Sir Roger!
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Stay Steady,
Dan
This is just what I needed to read on the morning after the launch of Operation Epstein Fury. Thank you, Dan! Thank you Roger Daltry!!!
My Generation, indeed! Dan Rather another timely great choice for a reason to smile! I’ve seen Rodger Daltry and The Who countless times, in gigantic arenas, but always had the opportunity to see it all up close. Daltry is a force on stage, the entire band is at that. But as the frontman, he carries it! Powerfully at that. My generation, boi oh boi those 60’s! Tough, spirited, magical, bloody, but always the essence of magical I believe because of the music, the revolution stirring and the music poured out! …when I really need a time out, i usually turn to music and these days I’ve been playing most of my 60’s & early 70’s albums. I think I’m going to go and pop on, Live at Leeds”…love The Who! Thank you Dan for all you do, keeping us steady, afloat, informed and once a week, on a groove… Ty❣️🎶🎤🎵🎼🫶🏼🙌🏼✌🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼🌊