Roger Daltrey has a column in The Times called "Backstage Diary," and he recently reflected on what it's like to have turned 80.
“The average life expectancy is 83 years and with a bit of luck I’ll make it, but we need someone else to run things,” said the musician from The Who. He added: “I have to be realistic. I’m leaving.”
The iconic singer expressed his desire to slow down. This is due to the past year, in which he was one of the main curators of the Teenage Cancer Trust concert series. Regarding this, he wrote: “I’m not leaving TCT – I’ve been a patron since I met the charity’s founders, Dr. Adrian and Myrna Whiteson, over 30 years ago – and that will continue, but I’ll be working behind the scenes, talking to the government, shaking cages.”
When Daltrey confirmed his departure from the Teenage Cancer Trust, Paul McCartney and Nile Rodgers sent a video thanking Daltrey for his contributions. Right at the beginning of the video, Paul said: "Paul here, your friend of a million years."
Then he continued with thanks: “Thank you for your 24 years of incredible service to the Teenage Cancer Trust . You’ve made so many children happy and healthy and all of us connected to this want to thank you so much. So what we say is… [sings] thank you Roger, thank you so much, you’re a hero and it’s best to know… This is one of the best songs I’ve ever written.”
Roger Daltrey details what it's like to perform at 80 years old.
The singer said that going on tour at 80 years old is not what it used to be. Even leading a disciplined life, he admits it's difficult. Regarding this, he stated: “I live like a monk, and if I went on tour for a week, I'd be in shape like a butcher's dog again, but tonight, for the first time in my career, I think: 'Damn, this is hard.'”
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