Roger Daltrey

Roger Harry Daltrey, CBE (born March 1, 1944) is a popular music artist, best known as the founder and lead singer of the British rock band The Who. In addition, he has enjoyed a successful solo music career, and has acted in a large number of film, theatre and television roles. Daltrey and his second wife, Heather, have two daughters, Rosie and Willow, and a son, Jamie.

Early years

Daltrey was born in the Shepherd's Bush section of London, the same working class neighbourhood that produced fellow Who members Pete Townshend and John Entwistle. He showed academic promise as a child in the English state school system, ranking at the top of his class on examinations that led to his enrolment at the Acton County Grammar School for boys. His parents, Harry and Irene, hoped he would eventually continue on to study at a university, but obeying the rules and learning from his teachers were not in the plans of the self-described "school rebel."

Related Topics:
Shepherd's Bush - London - Pete Townshend - John Entwistle - University

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He made his first guitar from a block of wood and formed a band called, "The Detours." When his father bought him an Epiphone guitar in 1959, he became the lead guitarist for the band. Soon after, interested in nothing but rock and roll, he was expelled from school. He became a sheet metal worker during the day, while practicing and performing nights with the band at weddings, pubs and men's clubs. At the time, the band included Daltrey on lead guitar, Pete Townshend on rhythm guitar, John Entwistle on bass, Doug Sandom on drums and Colin Dawson on lead vocals. After a couple of years, Daltrey switched to vocals and Townshend to lead guitar.

Related Topics:
Guitar - Epiphone - 1959 - Rock and roll - Rhythm guitar - Bass - Drums

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Early on, Daltrey was the band's leader, earning a reputation for using his fists to exercise control when needed, despite his small stature. According to Townshend, Roger "ran things the way he wanted. If you argued with him, you usually got a bunch of fives." (Giuliano, p. 26) He generally selected the music they performed, including songs by The Beatles, various Motown artists, James Brown, and other rock standards. In 1964, he also helped decide on a new name for the group that had been suggested by Townshend's roommate, Richard Barnes — "The Who."

Related Topics:
The Beatles - Motown - James Brown - 1964

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