Legendary musician Roger Daltrey, known for his iconic role as frontman of The Who since 1964, recently celebrated his 80th birthday on March 1st. As he marked this milestone, he made the decision to step down as the curator of the annual Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) gigs, held at Royal Albert Hall this month.
During his 24-year tenure as leader of TCT, Daltrey, a vocal supporter of Brexit, has raised an impressive £32 million for specialized NHS units caring for young cancer patients. In a recent reflection shared in a backstage diary for The Times, Daltrey expressed his reasoning for relinquishing his role as curator, citing a desire to be realistic about his future.
Acknowledging the average life expectancy of 83, Daltrey noted, “I’m on my way out,” while expressing his commitment to continue supporting TCT as a patron, albeit in a different capacity. He plans to shift his focus to behind-the-scenes work, advocating with the government and stirring change.
Daltrey also opened up about the challenges of aging, admitting to nerves and concerns about remembering lyrics before recent performances. Despite feeling the effects of time, he paid tribute to the “unsung heroes” who have supported the TCT events over the years during The Who’s final performance.
Looking ahead, the Teenage Cancer Trust intends to collaborate with guest curators next year, marking a new chapter for the organization as Daltrey steps back. While he reassures his continued involvement as an honorary patron, Daltrey feels he has accomplished the goals he set out to achieve.
