ROGER DALTREY's Voice Gives Out, THE WHO Cancel Show Minutes After Starting

March 15, 2007, 17 years ago

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Launch Radio Networks has issued the following report from Howie Edelson:

THE WHO aborted their Tampa, Florida gig on Tuesday night (March 14th), when singer ROGER DALTREY's voice gave out just minutes after beginning their opening number 'I Can't Explain'. Daltrey exited the stage and the band followed soon after.

After about five minutes, PETE TOWNSHEND returned to face the crowd alone, apologizing and explaining that, "Roger has bronchitis. I've just been with Roger, and he can barely speak. We're going to have to cancel." Townshend then said that they would be rescheduling the gig for Sunday, March 25th. The crowd of about 9,000 all left the Ford Amphitheatre without incident.

Local TV station tampabays10.com reported that a spokesman for the group blamed Daltrey's vocal problems "as a result of a medical condition." The spokesman added that, "all tickets will be honored for the new date or may also be refunded at place of purchase."

Additionally frustrating for Who die-hards was the fact that the setlist reportedly showed that they would be performing such favorites as 'Relay', and also '5:15', which has been absent from the current tour, as has all of the rest of the band's Quadrophenia album.

Daltrey has had other bronchial troubles while on tour. During the band's December stop in St. Paul, he left the stage early with the band carrying on for about 30 minutes without him.

Roger Daltrey says that he's learned to pace himself with The Who's current live material: "We can only play for two hours. You know it gets to be, for me personally and my voice, two hours is enough singing the way I sing. It's not an easy number these songs. They're very, very challenging. They demand the kind of energy that the voice needs to give it."

The Who will next perform on Saturday (March 17th) in Mexico City. Their next U.S. date will be on March 20th at the AT&T; Center in San Antonio, Texas.


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