TWO "priority" telegrams arrived at Trentham Gardens on Friday, confirming what was, to some peop'e, a piece of unpleasantly familiar bad news. The long-awaited Who concert was off.

The temptation to regard this as yet another case of fans being let down at the last minute by couldn't-give-a-damn big name groups is not justified.

Roger Daltrey's illness was obviously genuine, and, in any case, The Who would gain nothing by ditching one of their limited number of British promotional concerts at such short notice.

The circumstances would certainly have been suspect had the group involved been a newish one bedazzled by the sudden appearance of their name in the Top Twenty.

As it is, the concert has been re-arranged for next Monday, October 26th and Friday's tickets will be valid on that date.

The telegram which arrived on Friday lunchtime from The Who's Harley-street doctor — reproduced in Pop Spot by permission of Mr. Philip Bradbear. Ballroom Manager at Trentham Gardens — reads:

"Have diagnosed Roger Daltrey as having acute bronchial asthma. Consequently unable to perform this evening as I have confined him to bed."

And from The Who themselves came this telegram:

"We apologise for being unable to play to-night. Roger's voice totally hoarse. Will definitely appear on October 26th, so please wait till then. — The Who"

Pictured are the two telegrams which arrived at Trentham Gardens calling off The Who concert.