Roger Daltrey of The Who Reveals He’s Going Blind During Live Show: “Fortunately I Still Have My Voice”

Roger Daltrey is revealing a health struggle. During a recent show at the Royal Albert Hall, The Who frontman told the crowd that he is going blind.

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“The joys of getting old mean you go deaf,” Daltrey said, per multiple outlets. “I also now have got the joy of going blind.”

“Fortunately I still have my voice, because then I’ll have a full Tommy,” the 81-year-old singer added.

Daltrey’s statement was in reference to Tommy, the band’s 1969 album about Tommy Walker, a fictional army soldier who becomes deaf, dumb, and blind. 

Sky News further reported that, at one point during the concert, Daltrey’s voice broke, and he joked that it was a “senior moment” to the crowd.

“No apologies, I f**ked up,” he said.

Daltrey’s bandmate, Pete Townshend, also opened up about his own ailments during the show. Townshend, 79, revealed that he had his knee replaced just over a month ago, quipping that dancing like Mick Jagger was what led to his surgery.

The Who’s Involvement With Teenage Cancer Trust

The band ended their set with Daltrey offering a statement to the crowd, according to Metro.

“People say to me, ‘How the f**k do you still do it?’” he said. “I’ve got to tell you I’ve had one dream in life, and got really, really lucky.”

He then went on to address the reason for the show, which is one in a run of headlining gigs The Who is performing for Teenage Cancer Trust.

“I look at those youngsters every night that come on the stage here, and I think, ‘If they can deal with their lot, this is a piece of piss,’” he said.

Daltrey launched the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Royal Albert Hall concerts in 2000. It has since raised more than $35 million.

Daltrey been the curator of the fundraiser since its launch, but is set to set back from his role this year. However, he will remain an honorary patron of the charity.

Moving forward, the chairty will work with a series of guest curators. The Cure’s Robert Smith is the first musician who will oversee it next year.

Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images