Roger Daltrey Reveals He Begs Artists To Play On His Cancer Charity Concerts
via The Howard Stern Show / Youtube
After 24 years of cajoling bands to perform at his cancer charity events without charge, Roger Daltrey playfully remarked about his sore knees. The iconic lead singer of The Who initiated his involvement with the U.K.’s Teenage Cancer Trust in 2000, orchestrating annual shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Reflecting on his experiences with the charity in a recent Metro interview, Daltrey shared that he encountered unforgettable individuals among the patients the organization supported.
“There’s quite a few who will stay with me forever – I could never forget them, and the letters and cards really mean a lot,” Daltrey expressed, noting that he has preserved all of them. At 79 years old, he continued:
“I’m some old fart of a rock singer, and this has given me a purpose. I’m not very good at doing nothing, and I’m looking towards the end of a singing career. So this has been something I’m so proud of.”
Highlighting their philanthropic achievements, Daltrey and bandmate Pete Townshend expressed pride in founding Teen Cancer America in 2012. “We’re getting the chance to gather a lot of data that will genuinely contribute to science one day,” Daltrey added, emphasizing the meaningful impact of their efforts.
Roger Daltrey Steps Down as Curator of Cancer Trust
In his final stint as curator at the Albert Hall, this year’s lineup from March 18 to 24 boasts performances by Robert Plant, Eddie Vedder, Noel Gallagher, The Who, and more, with tickets now available for purchase.
Reflecting on the journey, Daltrey shared:
“Gosh, it was tough at the start because I was determined bands should want to do this for free, and it’s not easy getting big names to actually block out their time. My knees are now so sore from 24 years of begging!”
Persisting in his approach, he added:
“When I see someone famous, I go straight over and ask them to play a gig – and I’m sure they’ll see me now and run away! But not one of the bands has ever come off the stage without saying, ‘What a fantastic experience.’”
