The Who frontman spoke about his health issues in a new interview and added ‘the potential to get really ill is there’
Sir Roger Daltrey, the frontman of The Who, has candidly confessed that he’s ‘not going to be here much longer’, revealing his ongoing health struggles in a recent interview. The 81 year old rock legend recently found himself in a spat over the dismissal of Zak Starkey, Ringo Starr’s son, from his role as drummer for The Who.
In a chat with The Times, Daltrey admitted that his health worries are more pressing, explaining that the meningitis he contracted nine years ago is still significantly affecting his wellbeing. He also shared that he’s grappling with ‘incurable’ macular degeneration, which hampers his ability to read autocues properly and described his vision as ‘not good’.
He first touched on his knighthood, which he received for his annual fundraising concerts at the Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust. This charity was established in 1990 to offer specialist units for young people battling cancer.
Daltrey expressed his joy at being able to contribute as long as he can, given that he’s ‘not going to be here much longer’: “Of course, but the honours system is in desperate need of updating. It’s a weird club to be a part of and I’m not entirely comfortable with it.
“Still, I’m not going to be here much longer. If I live another ten years it will be way past anyone in my family, and it’s important for Teenage Cancer Trust to continue. We were seeing teenagers put in wards alongside two-year-olds or geriatrics and the isolation was devastating. The environment of someone suffering from a serious illness is every bit as important as a good drug.”, reports the Daily Record.
He detailed how the aftermath of contracting meningitis nine years ago still plagues him, admitting: “It’s done a lot of damage,” and lamenting the impact on his body. “It’s buggered up my internal thermometer, so every time I start singing in any climate over 75 degrees I’m wringing with sweat, which drains my body salts. The potential to get really ill is there and, I have to be honest, I’m nervous about making it to the end of the tour.”
Reflecting on his early days working in a sheet metal factory in Acton at 16, he suspects that’s where his hearing began to deteriorate. At the Teenage Cancer Trust concert in March, he shared not only his struggles with deafness but also his deteriorating vision.
He quipped to the crowd that if his voice were to go, he’d “go the full Tommy”.
Daltrey, unlike many of his contemporaries, shuns the use of an Autocue during performances, jokingly dismissing its usefulness with a hearty: “There’s no point. Can’t f***ing see it!” When asked about his current vision, he responds candidly from behind tinted glasses: “Not good,” revealing he suffers from incurable macular degeneration.
Despite these challenges, Daltrey remains resolute in his passion for music, vowing to keep rocking as long as possible, whether with the Who or solo. He declares with conviction: “Never, never retire. You’ll be dead in three years. Daytime TV will kill you.”
For the complete interview, click here.