Legendary rockstar Roger Daltrey, lead singer of The Who, has revealed that he is now deaf and blind due to years of loud music and drug use.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Daltrey shared that he has been struggling with his hearing and vision for some time now. He stated, “I’m lucky to be alive. I’ve had a long life and I’ve had a good one. But the hearing is gone and the eyesight is going. It’s a natural progression.”
The 76-year-old musician has been performing with The Who for over 55 years, and their music is known for its loud and energetic sound. Daltrey admitted that he never wore earplugs during concerts and regrets not taking better care of his hearing. He also revealed that he has been using in-ear monitors to help him hear the music during performances.
Daltrey’s hearing loss has also affected his ability to communicate with his bandmates, as he relies on lip-reading and sign language to understand what they are saying. He shared, “I am lucky to be able to hear a little bit, but I rely on lip-reading. If I don’t know what the person is saying, I say, ‘Sorry, I didn’t hear that.'”
In addition to his hearing loss, Daltrey has also been struggling with his vision. He stated that he has been diagnosed with cataracts and has difficulty seeing in low light. However, he remains optimistic and is determined to continue performing with The Who as long as he can.
Daltrey’s revelation serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting one’s hearing and taking care of one’s health. According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion young people are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to loud music and noise. It is crucial for musicians and concert-goers to take precautions, such as wearing earplugs, to prevent permanent damage to their hearing.
Despite his health challenges, Daltrey remains grateful for his long and successful career in music. He shared, “I’ve had a great life and a great run. I’m not going to be crotchety about it. I’m lucky to have lived this long.”
Fans of The Who can still catch Daltrey and the band on their upcoming tour, which is set to kick off in March 2022. Let us all wish Daltrey the best as he continues to rock on despite his health struggles.
