Who frontman Roger Daltrey recently launched a U.K. tour with his solo band. At the shows, the 81-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has been performing a mix of classic and rare Who songs, solo hits, and a selection of cover tunes by other artists he loves.
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During the encore of his concert in Wolverhampton, England, on Thursday, April 24, Daltrey sat down at the front of the stage with an acoustic guitar and tried to play a version of The Kinks’ poignant 1968 U.K. hit “Days.” Before he could begin, though, an unruly female fan close to the stage started loudly calling out for him to play one of The Who’s classic songs instead.
As seen in fan-shot video, this began a humorous and somewhat lengthy war of wills between the British rock legend and the boisterous audience member.
About Daltrey’s Testy Interaction with the Fan
As Daltrey prepared to explain what song he was about to perform, the fan yelled, “We love you, Roger!”
The singer then said, “I’m gonna do this … ’cause it’s a band that we forget how good they were and how great they are.”
Suddenly, the same fan yelled, “Play ‘Pinball Wizard’! ‘Pinball Wizard’! ‘Pinball Wizard’!!!”
Roger responded, “I’m fed up with that. [I’ve] done it too much.”
The fan shot back, “But we’re not!”
Daltrey began the first verse of “Days,” and many in the audience clapped and immediately began singing along.
The stubborn fan, however, yelled, “It’s not as good as ‘Pinball Wizard’!”
Daltrey started to lose his patience, yelling back, “Shut the f— up!” while chuckling. Many people in the crowd also laughed.
Daltrey’s admonition wasn’t enough to quiet the obstinate fan. “It still don’t make any difference,” she yelled. “I’m of a generation where ‘Pinball Wizard’ was our [favorite].”
Roger then quipped, “I can’t play ‘Pinball Wizard.’ I’m the world’s worst pinball player you’ve ever seen in your life.”
The fan replied, “Just do it!”
Daltrey stood his ground, saying, “I don’t want to do it, ’cause I just don’t want to do it.”
The fan countered, “But we want you to do it!”
Roger then declared, “Open your f—ing ears and listen to this.”
After a few more words back and forth, the fan finally relented, and Daltrey delivered a tender, stripped-down version of “Days.”
More About “Days”
According to Setlist.fm, Daltrey only played “Days” once before live, at a June 2024 solo concert in Vienna, Virginia.
The Kinks released the original version of “Days” as a non-album single in 1968. It peaked at No. 12 on the U.K. chart.
Other cover tunes Roger has played so far during the 2025 trek include Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” Paul Simon’s “The Boy in the Bubble,” and Tim Hardin’s “Tribute to Hank Williams.”
More About Daltrey’s 2025 Tour Plans
Daltrey kicked off his U.K. solo tour on April 20 in Brighton, England. The current leg is mapped out through a May 5 show in Cheltenham, England. His next show is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 in Dundee, Scotland.
Roger also has three solo U.K. concerts scheduled for the summer in late July and early August.
Daltrey’s solo band features nine musicians. They are Simon Townshend (Pete’s younger brother) on guitar and backing vocals, Billy Nicholls on backing vocals, Katy Jacoby on violin, bassist John Hogg, guitarist Doug Boyle, percussionist Jody Linscott, keyboardist Geraint Watkins, drummer Scott Devours, and harmonica player Steve Weston.
Hogg recently joined The Who’s touring band, which also features Simon Townshend. Jacoby and Nicholls also had been part of The Who’s touring lineup until recently.
Speaking of The Who, the band has two upcoming confirmed concerts in 2025, both in Italy. They’re scheduled for July 20 in Padua and July 22 in Milan.
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