Sir Roger Daltrey, knighted just last year, has not let his new title go to his head. This past weekend in Miami, Florida, he performed with amateur musicians at the Rock Fantasy Camp. By all accounts, it went well. Even at 82, the rock legend can belt it out.
There were 11 Camper bands he played onstage with, covering a myriad of Who songs including “Pinball Wizard,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “Substitute” and “Behind Blue Eyes.”
I wasn’t able to attend the event, but I have known Roger for almost two decades. He is basically a normal Joe and a devoted supporter of Teen Cancer America (in England, Teen Cancer Trust). Daltrey’s charities raise money to build cancer wings in major hospitals for young adults stricken with the menacing malady.
Rock Fantasy Camp founder David Fishof (left) interviews The Who frontman Sir Roger Daltrey at the April 2026 Miami, Florida, camp.
Courtesy of Rock Fantasy Camp
Now just what is Rock Fantasy Camp? The brainchild of long-time music executive David Fishof, it has been pairing amateur musicians with famous rock stars for three decades. In addition to Daltrey the camp has featured Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce and Slash.
“He loves camp, this is his fourth,” says Fishof. “But the funniest thing he’s joked with me over the years: ‘On my Who tours often there will be campers in the first two rows waving signs at me. It’s hard to see the rest of the audience.’ My response: “They can’t sit three rows back. They want to be on stage jamming with you!”
Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, a guitarist who’s toured with Guns ‘N’ Roses, has been a counselor at five camps. He contrasts the experiences. “Performing with Roger was great, even just meeting him,” says Thal.
“But it’s hard to compare that to say, Alice Cooper, who I did a camp with this past fall. Both are amazing, but have different styles. It’s like eating at a nice restaurant where all of the dishes are good. It’s hard to pick just one.”
The band that guitarist camper Anthony Jabin (red hat, right of Sir Roger Daltrey) was paired with at Miami’s Rock Fantasy Camp in April 2026.
Courtesy of Rock Fantasy Camp
A Miami camper, Anthony Jabin, by day a tech investor, puts it a little differently. “I’ve been to six rock camps now and this by far was the best. Playing guitar looking over my shoulder seeing Roger Daltrey singing “Won’t Get Fooled Again” was surreal.”
Daltrey says he gets as much from the experience as campers. “It reminds me of what I was like when I made my first guitar and started mucking around, playing and singing songs, thinking I was Elvis Presley. It puts your feet back on the ground.”
Do campers ever surprise Daltrey with their musical abilities? “Let’s put it this way. They all have varying degrees of talent, have a good time, have a laugh. That’s what it’s about, having fun.”
This article was originally published on Forbes.com