Roger Daltrey to Go on First Solo Tour in Over 20 Years

Singer Roger Daltrey gives a speech during the Y&R Seminar as part of the 56th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival on June 25, 2009 in Cannes, France. (Getty Images)more pics »Sixty-five-year-old rocker Roger Daltrey is to play a string of shows in the US in a bid to keep his voice in top condition while he and Pete Townshend take a break from The Who. Daltrey -- who last toured solo in 1985 but did play two concerts at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1994 to celebrate his 50th birthday -- said: “I’ve only ever toured solo to keep my voice in shape. Singers need to sing.”

The singer -- who has made eight solo albums -- has promised fans they can expect a mix of his own tracks and new versions of classic Who songs. He added:
I'm looking forward to revisiting the solo songs. I'm not sure
which ones will stand up live, but I'm confident that enough will. Being a
solo singer also gives me the freedom to do songs from my outside
influences. But I feel connected to all Who songs. I’m going to re-approach
songs I haven't sung for a while and hope I can make them my own. The "Use It or Lose It Tour" will take place in 30 American and Canadian cities and kicks off in Vancouver, Canada, on October 10. Townshend’s guitarist brother Simon Townshend, who tours with The Who, will join Daltrey for the shows.

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