The Who's Roger Daltrey Threatens to End Show over Pot Smoke

BY Alex HudsonPublished May 22, 2015

Smoking marijuana at concerts is common practice, but fans might want to avoid it at the Who's gigs less they incur the wrath of frontman Roger Daltrey. On Wednesday (May 20), the singer threatened to walk off-stage when a fan near to the front began smoking up.

No, Daltrey isn't simply a prude. Rather, he's apparently allergic to the smoke, and it has a negative impact on his singing. Prior to the Who's Wednesday night gig at Long Island, NY's Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, slides about Daltrey's allergy were projected onto the screens.

This evidently didn't stop a fan close to the stage from lighting up during the band's set. "I'm telling you now the show will be over," Daltrey warned. "It's your choice, I can't do anything about it. I'm doing my best." He reportedly struggled to sing "I Can See for Miles" and said, "My voice is shutting down."

Guitarist Pete Townshend, meanwhile, offered this helpful advice to the toker: "Stick it up your fucking arse! It's the quickest way. I think it's quicker than eating it." The weed was extinguished, and Newsday reports that Daltrey's voice improved from there.

This isn't the first time the Who's concerts have been interrupted by marijuana smoke, as Daltrey has made similar onstage complaints in years past.

This gig was part of the Who's 50th anniversary tour. Reports have suggested that this could be the band's farewell outing, but it remains to be seen whether this really is goodbye.

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