Roger Daltrey once told me of his vocal durability: \u201cI haven\u2019t got a secret. I just work hard, and I try to keep a passion for what I do. I love to sing, and through that, I get a reward that money can\u2019t buy.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was backstage, just ahead of a 2018 solo show at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. We thought then that Daltrey might be ready to close out his singing career. But the 82-year-old rock legend is still on the road of rewards, headlining for the first time at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, a three-show run that kicks off Aug. 26.<\/p>\n
The trifecta of performances are part of Daltrey\u2019s nobly titled \u201cA Great Night Out\u201d tour, which extends through the end of September. The Who frontman is playing more dates solo this year than he did during the group\u2019s entire \u201cfarewell\u201d tour.<\/p>\n
Daltrey is set to play selections from The Who, solo favorites and a few covers. He will be backed by the same musicians who played his most recent \u201cSummer Semi Acoustic Tour\u201d in 2024: Simon Townshend, the younger brother of Who great Pete Townshend, on guitar; Billy Nicholls on mandolin, Jody Linscott on percussion, Doug Boyle on guitar, John Hogg on bass, Katie Jacoby on violin, Steve Weston on harmonica, Geraint Watkins on keys and accordion and Scott Devours on drums.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a lot of musicianship, beyond the \u201csemi\u201d acoustic format. Knighted in December, Daltrey is blending anecdotes from his 60-plus year career into his touring shows. \u201cCandid banter and direct rapport\u201d are promised from AEG Presents, which books the theater.<\/p>\n
We have had some rapport and anecdotes, from Daltrey, and The Who, over the years:<\/p>\n
\u2014 During our time at the old Hard Rock (Virgin Hotels Las Vegas today), Daltrey drew a light to Teen Cancer America, the charity he and Townshend co-founded in 2012. The organization covers the age gap between children and adults who suffer from cancer. He said he wants to address the \u201cteenage wasteland\u201d referenced in \u201cBaba O\u2019Reilly.\u201d \u201cLet\u2019s put it this way: There\u2019s an awful lot you can do for cancer that isn\u2019t research that can make an incredible difference in cancer survival,\u201d Daltrey said. \u201cYou take care of the mental health, you take care of the psychological health, and for the group we deal with, that\u2019s the most important help of all. It\u2019s that age when they\u2019re ready to fly the nest and change.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 The Who played an orchestral series at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in 2017, after a one-off in 2016. \u201cThe stage was a hard-work stage for me, because the band was so far away,\u201d Daltrey said. \u201cI\u2019m not a solo singer, so to be so far back there with the band is where I\u2019d like to be, because we\u2019re brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 After one of the \u201917 shows we linked up with then-drummer Zak Starkey and his then-girlfriend, and now wife, the rocker Sshh (real name, Sharna Liguz), for a rowdy post-show performance at the Sand Dollar Lounge. Starkey and Sshh were in an animated conversation in the Escalade on the way to the show. The percussion-playing son of Beatles great Ringo Starr reminded his girlfriend to tone it down, mentioning Daltrey\u2019s powerful vocals and Townshend\u2019s searing guitar: \u201cWill you stop (expletive) shouting now? I just got off stage with The Who!\u201d A couple of years later, I mentioned this experience to (more name-drop action) Starr in an interview at Planet Hollywood. Ringo smiled and said, \u201cHe is his father\u2019s son.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 The Who\u2019s first and last performances in Las Vegas were at the MGM Grand. The first was an October 29, 1999, private show at the launch event for now-defunct internet company Pixelon.com. In the movie about that show, \u201cThe Who 20th Anniversary Reunion Concert, A One-Night-Only Performance,\u201d the expenses for the lavish party were held up as a reason why the company suffered financially. The Who played what was billed as their last show here in September at the Grand Garden Arena.<\/p>\n
\u2014 The Who also played two nights at Dolby Live at Park MGM, in November 2022. Daltrey sounded great, but Townshend was not happy with the then-new Dolby Atmos sound system: \u201cIt sounds dreadful up here. I don\u2019t know what it sounds like out there.\u201d He posed the question to the crowd, which included the late hoops and broadcast legend Bill Walton, seated coincidentally alongside Smith Center President Myron Martin, asking: \u201cDoes it sound OK out there?\u201d<\/p>\n
The crowd shouted back, \u201cYes!\u201d The guitarist answered, \u201cAs long as you\u2019re all happy, we\u2019re happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just this month, Daltrey told Rolling Stone, \u201cI just go out there and have a good time. And I feel if I\u2019m having a good time, hopefully the crowd will have a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n
John Katsilometes\u2019 column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com.<\/a> Follow @johnnykats<\/a> on X, @JohnnyKats1<\/a> on Instagram. <\/p>\n ‘A Great Night Out’<\/p>\n who: Roger Daltrey<\/p>\n where: Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas<\/p>\n when: Aug. 26, 28 and 29<\/p>\n tickets: Starting at $95.61, including fees<\/p>\n information: Ticketmaster.com<\/p>\n \t\t\t