Roger Daltrey Says He Might Not Make It to the End of The Who’s Tour

As The Who embarks on what may be one of their final major tours, frontman Roger Daltrey is grappling with a sobering question: can he physically see it through to the end? At 81, the legendary vocalist is sounding the alarm on the intense toll that decades of rock ‘n’ roll can take—even on the strongest of voices.

“It’s Gruelling”: The Physical Cost of Performing

Daltrey, speaking candidly to The Times, didn’t sugarcoat the reality of touring at his age. “It’s gruelling,” he admitted. “In the days when I was singing Who songs for three hours a night, six nights a week, I was working harder than most footballers.”

Now approaching 82, the singer says his voice is still holding up—but he’s not sure for how much longer. “Fortunately, my voice is still as good as ever. I’m still singing in the same keys and it’s still bloody loud,” he said. “But I can’t tell you if it will still be there in October. There’s a big part of me that’s going: I just hope I make it through.”

Health Setbacks and Dark Humor

The tour comes amid broader health concerns that have increasingly challenged Daltrey in recent years. As iHeartRadio has reported, the singer is dealing with progressive hearing loss and declining vision—two conditions that directly impact his performance and stage presence.

Still, Daltrey hasn’t lost his ability to find humor in the situation. During a recent charity gig at London’s Royal Albert Hall, he compared himself to Tommy, the iconic “deaf, dumb and blind” protagonist from The Who’s 1969 rock opera. It was a self-aware moment that highlighted both his vulnerability and enduring wit.

“Use It or Lose It”: Holding Onto the Voice

Despite the mounting challenges, Daltrey remains fiercely committed to preserving his voice. He’s embraced a “use it or lose it” philosophy when it comes to singing, as noted by Vinyl Me Please. Regular rehearsals and performances, he believes, are what keep his vocal abilities intact.

The current tour, which is scheduled to run through October, may be one of The Who’s final extended runs. But as AXS TV recently pointed out, the band’s recent performance at the Royal Albert Hall proved they can still deliver a show worthy of their legacy.

For now, Daltrey soldiers on, fully aware of the physical demands ahead—but determined to give fans everything he has left. “There’s a big part of me that’s going: I just hope I make it through,” he repeated.