“I realized that there was so much of ‘Tommy’ that had never ever been done onstage,’’ he says, gesturing excitedly with his hands. “The backing vocals, for instance, which I in particular was quite heavily involved in - finding the harmonies, working the harmonies out - were never ever done on the stage. They’re magnificent, and to hear the human voice used in that way is just wonderful. So to be able to do it with a band of musicians like this band is heavenly.’’
Daltrey is touring with the same quintet that backed him on his recent “Use It or Lose It’’ solo tour, which includes Pete Townshend’s younger brother, Simon, on guitar and backing vocals.
“You’ve got to remember I did put the Who together in the first place. I kind of do know how to put a band together,’’ he says with a laugh.
The tour has the blessing of the elder Townshend: “Roger has my complete and most loving support,’’ Pete Townshend said in a statement.
“I think he’s always happy to have his music being played,’’ Daltrey says. “If it’s not being played in the live arena, it’s dead. And there’s nothing worse than dead music.’’
Except perhaps a singer unable to sing. After a scare with his voice a few years back- pre-cancerous dysplasia treated by renowned surgeon Steven Zeitels at Massachusetts General Hospital, with whom Daltrey had a check-up on the day of this interview - Daltrey is also glad to be touring as a means of keeping his calling card intact.
“Everything relies on these two little things in here,’’ he says, pointing to the vocal cords responsible for belting out Who anthems like “My Generation,’’ “Pinball Wizard,’’ and “Baba O’Riley.’’ “It’s a minute, incredibly complicated part of the body, and that’s what [the] ‘Use it or Lose it’ [tour] was about - keeping singing so I’ve got a voice for the future.’’
