Tribune photo by HY NOLAN

The Who members Roger Daltrey, left, and Pete
Townshend didn’t last through the first number.

Who Abruptly
Hall Concert,
Citing Illness

SINGER DALTREY HAS BRONCHlTIS

By (LUR’I‘IS R055
The 'l‘ampa 'l‘rihu ne

TAMPA -—- Tuesday's ‘fl'io COIlCL’l'I ended sett-
ontls into the first number when vocalist Roger
l)2tltre_’ left the stage. apparently unable to sing.

Minutes later. guitarist Pete annshend an-
nounced the shows cancellation. Apologizing t0
the crowd of about 9.000, 'l‘mvnshend also
announced a makeup date of March 25.

'l‘uesday's session would have been the first
Who concert for Leslie Stallings and her sons,
Britt, 13, and Brock, 11.

"We're disappointed, but we understand."
Stallings said as the crowd began leaving.

In fact, ’l‘mvnshend's apologies and an-
nouncement ol‘ the makeup date were met with
hearty applause from the crowd.

”I 'd rather see 100 percent of'l’he Who than 50
percent." concertguer Alex Hutchins said as the
crowd waited for the final word. “I'll take my
refund and wait until they come, back."

The group took the stage at 8:40 p.111.. follow-
ing an Opening set by Rose Hill Drive. Town—
shend slashed out the familiar three-Chord riff
opening “I Can't Explain," but Dziltrey walked
off stage before singing a note. 'l'ownshend
waved the song It) a halt.

”Roger has bronchitis," Townshend told the
crowd. He and the other musieizms left the Stage
for a few moments before Townshend returned
with the bad newx.

"I've just been with Roger. and he can barely
speak," "l‘mx'nshentl said. "We're going to have
m (:ttllcel."

The audience tiled out without incident.
nhviously disappointed but showing no signs (if
the anger that fueled a riot at Tampa Stadium in
1977 when Led Zeppelin canceled 21 show.

'l'iekets for Tuesday's; show will be h(mored tit
the March 25 show, and refunds will be available
ill pnint of purchase. according to a representa-
tive of the Ford Amphitheatre.

Reporter ( Jurtis Russ am he rem‘hed at (813) 255)-
7568 or erossfi‘tmnputril).mm.