SAN FRANCISCO A ‘DISASTER’

Daltrey Says the Who Is Working to Get Better

By Scott Cain

Occupying the pinnacle of pop music hasn’t given Roger Daltrey, lead singer of the Who, a swelled head.

Speaking of the group’s current American tour, he says, “We’re not good, but we’re working at it.” He adds that the band prefers their performances not to be the same. “Los Angeles was all right. San Francisco was a disaster. Dallas was weird. Who knows what will happen here?”

By all accounts, Daltrey’s description of the San Francisco show was correct. News reports indicated that drummer Keith Moon became ill during the performance and, after some confusion, finally gave up hope of completing the show. At one time, there was a volunteer drummer from the audience and the concert ultimately was completed by a three-man Who.

Daltrey was not suffering from a case of pre-performance nerves in Atlanta. He had spent the afternoon before the group’s Omni concert riding horses. “I love to do that whenever I can.”

Then, he settled down to a hearty pre-performance meal, eaten very democratically in a hotel’s garish coffee shop. “You have to eat when you have a chance. It’s three hours until show time. So often, when you wait until after the show, you get back to the hotel and find that the restaurant is closed. That’s why musicians don’t weigh very much.”

Daltrey, who is as bright-eyed and excited off stage as he is onstage, is given to very Italianate gestures to emphasize his comments. Talking with him is certainly not dull.

He says the members of the Who don’t want to stagnate. “That’s the reason we’re a rock ‘n’ roll band. We don’t want to be like the Osmonds—I mean no disrespect; they deliver, but they’re plastic. We don’t want to be good every night. There was a time when we were giving too many good performances.” He says the Who, realizing that they were getting into a rut, albeit an exalted one, decided that the time had come to give themselves a break. They had not toured for two years until the current 12-concert American trip put them back on stage.

Daltrey says the short tour was arranged with a view to returning next year. At that time, he says, the Who hopes to perform in only a few of the bigger cities and give several performances in each one.

He says a proposal to carry “Tommy,” the Who’s first rock opera, on an extensive benefit tour of America fell through. During the present trip, the Who is performing “Quadrophenia,” its latest and probably most ambitious rock opera.

Among future projects, Daltrey has been asked to appear as the older Tommy in a movie based on the Who’s music. Ken Russell, an extravagant director noted for

[DALTREY IN TYPICAL PERFORMANCE POSES] He May Appear in Film Version of “Tommy”

razzle-dazzle technique, is in charge of production.

“I have complete confidence in Ken Russell,” Daltrey says, citing Russell’s early work in television, specifically a tender biographical film on Frederick Delius, the composer.

Daltrey has, however, read some disturbing press reports, indicating that the film is being turned into a “starry” affair. Daltrey is hopeful that these reports are just publicity because he says he will not appear in a puffed-up film.

He wants “Tommy” to be done on a small scale. “I’d rather they use unknowns. There are too many talented people looking for work.”

Daltrey is flattered when a visitor comments favorably on his solo album. “It’s one of those that people either love or hate,” he has found. A lot

of people were put off because his own album was not rock music, but he defends the departure. “I do rock music with the Who.” On his own, he wants to do something else.

At the moment, he is looking for suitable material for a second solo album.

He says the Who is waiting for public reaction to their “Quadrophenia” effort. “Tommy” didn’t start big,” he recalls. Only time will tell if “Quadrophenia” will touch the same public nerve that “Tommy” did.