The Who’s Roger Daltrey says he’s ‘very deaf’ and urges fans to wear ear plugs

The septuagenarian rocker, who has fronted The Who for 54 years, spoke about his hearing issues on stage at a solo show at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

Revealing he now relies on lip-reading and in-ear monitors at live shows, Roger said: “The trouble with the​se ear things that I wear is that I am very, very deaf. And I advise you all – all you rock-and-roll fans – take your f***ing ear plugs to the gigs.

“If only we had known when we were young​... we ​are lip-reading.”

Despite being hard of hearing, Roger told the crowd he hoped to continue performing live for a “long time” and added: “I am lucky to be doing what I do - so thank you.”

Roger played two nights at the Hard Rock Hotel on the Performing The Who Hits, Rarities and Solo Hits tour and, as well as delving into The Who’s distinguished back catalogue, he performed solo songs ‘Days of Light’, ‘Without Your Love’ and the recently penned ‘Always Heading Home’.

Elsewhere during his performance, Daltrey said he missed The Doors’ Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix, telling the audience: “​Those people aren’t here any more... what am I doing here?

“And these days everybody thinks that they have thousands and millions of friends ​on this anti-social media.

“But in the end ​as ​you get older, your​ friends do die and there is nothing you can do about it. Your real friends are ... the ones by your side.”

In a 2011 interview, Daltrey spoke about Pete Townshend’s hearing problems, explaining: "Pete is almost stone deaf. He deafened himself in the recording studio, and when we last performed he had to stand right next to the speakers to hear anything.

“I don’t know what Pete will do. I don’t want to do a tour and have him end up completely deaf."

Roger Daltrey headlines the Teenage Cancer Trust shows at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 22nd March. The concert series also boasts a sold-out performance from Def Leppard.