Singer Roger Daltrey has said he feared he would “not make it” as he battled viral meningitis in 2015.
Singer Roger Daltrey has said he feared he would “not make it” as he battled viral meningitis in 2015.
The Who’s Roger Daltrey: ‘I survived meningitis and was given a second chance’
The Who lead singer and founder, 74, was diagnosed with the illness while the band was on the road forcing them to postpone all 50 dates on their North American tour.
The Graham Norton Show He told The Graham Norton Show: “It was weird. I didn’t think I would make it. It was life-changing. I thought about my life and my family and what I had done and thought, ‘How lucky did it get.’ “I survived and was given a second chance. I have the album, I’m touring and I have a book out later in the year.”
He is due to release a new album titled As Long As I Have You and a memoir. #RogerDaltrey is returning on June 1 with a brand new studio album #AsLongAsIHaveYou . Here is a clip of the new single from the album.
Pre-Order from https://t.co/xvuLn6ndcG pic.twitter.com/WImWaNp2rZ — The Who (@TheWho) March 21, 2018 “Performing solo has always been a hobby, but this one I have taken seriously,” he said of the new album.
“Part way through creating it I became disillusioned. I was very ill with meningitis and when I recovered and went back to recording I thought it was rubbish and tried to buy it back from the record company to shelve it. Pete (Townshend) took a look and what he did with the songs blew me away.” The Graham Norton Show He says he wanted to write a book about “what it was like being in the middle of that world. We were in an industry that we were making up as we went along”.
Commenting on the rock band’s “wild days” from early on in their career, he told Norton it was “mostly Keith Moon and Pete Townshend”. He added: “We thought it was a great jest at the time but looking back, it’s not very funny.”
The Graham Norton show airs on BBC One on April 13 at 10.35pm
Press Association
The 74-year-old singer admitted he was tempted to "shelve” his new solo record As Long As I Have You after his illness made him question the quality of the music on his latest album.
Speaking on tonight’s The Graham Norton Show, he said: “It was weird. I didn’t think I would make it. It was life changing. I thought about my life and my family and what I had done and thought, ‘How lucky did it get’.
Roger also recalled the time he felt “disillusioned” while making his ninth album.
He added: “Part way through creating it I became disillusioned. I was very ill with meningitis and when I recovered and went back to recording I thought it was rubbish and tried to buy it back from the record company to shelve it.
“Pete [Townsend] took a look and what he did with the songs blew me away.”
ROGER Daltrey is one of the most iconic rockers the UK has ever produced.
We take a look at The Who frontman's latest music, his health issues and just how much he has in the bank. Here's the lowdown:
PA:Press Association Roger Daltrey is one of the most iconic rockers the UK has ever produced
How old is Roger Daltrey?
The charismatic singer is now 74-years-old and he's still going strong. Roger was born in Hammersmith Hospital, London, in 1944. He met his The Who bandmates Pete Townshend and John Entwistle at Acton County Grammar School.
He shot to fame with The Who in the mid-60s following the release of their first hit single I Can't Explain. However, it was youth anthem My Generation which really catapulted the group to the next level.
PA:Press Association The charismatic singer is now 74-years-old and he's still going strong
What does Daltrey's new music sound like?
In March it was announced Roger was releasing his first solo record in 26 years on June 1.
Titled As Long As I Have You, his ninth individual effort sees Pete Townshend playing guitar on seven tracks and is a mix of original songs and music that has inspired him over the years, including Nick Cave's Into My Arms, Stevie Wonder's You Haven't Done Nothing and Stephen Stills' How Far.
The album is said to channel a raw R&B sound inspired by the The Who's early days.
Splash News In March it was announced Roger was releasing his first solo record in 26 years on June 1
How has illness affected Daltrey's career?
In his younger years Roger boasted a chiselled body and has always been known as a fit musician.
Earlier this year, though, it appeared age was finally beginning to catch up with the legend. He told his audience at The Joint in Hard Rock Casino that he was losing his hearing.
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Despite his difficulties, he soldiered on through the show which was part of his current solo tour.
He said: “The trouble with these ear things that I wear is that I am very, very deaf. And I advise you all – all you rock-and-roll fans – take your f***ing ear plugs to the gigs.
“If only we had known when we were young... we are lip-reading.”
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