The Who‘s Roger Daltrey almost walked off stage in the middle of a gig in New York this week after smelling a fan smoking marijuana.
As seen in the video below, Daltrey told audience members at the Nassau Colliseum on Wednesday (May 20) that “the show will be over” unless the person smoking stopped. “It’s your choice, I can’t do anything about it. I’m doing my best.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddOpMwQ7h00
Having explained that he is allergic to the smoke and that it causes problems with his vocal performance, fans began chanting “eat it” while bandmate Pete Townshend suggested he uses the drug using rectal administration. “Up your fucking arse,” Daltrey added, suggesting, “it’s the quickest way.”
Newsday reports that Daltrey’s vocal performance was noticeably inhibited by the smoke. “The smoke’s impact was almost immediate on his voice, which went from crystal clear and potent for the opening ‘I Can’t Explain’ to something rougher and more limited during ‘I Can See For Miles’.”
Pete Townshend of The Who recently claimed reiterated that he doesn’t enjoy playing live. He stated:”I always feel very sad when I say this because I think I’m unusual in this respect. People don’t really believe me. But I don’t enjoy performing. I don’t feel uplifted on the stage. I rarely have moments these days onstage when I go into what jazz musicians call ‘the zone.’ I rarely lose myself on the stage.”
It was recently announced that the Who will be the third, and final, headliner for Glastonbury 2015. The band – currently marking their 50th anniversary – will headline the festival, with Paul Weller performing in the slot directly before them. The two acts will perform on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday (June 28) and join fellow headliners Kanye West and Foo Fighters on the bill.