Roger Daltrey Yells At Disruptive Fan At Solo New York Show
- Posted on Nov 21st 2009 4:00PM by Robin Milling
- Comments (46)
At New York's Nokia Theater Friday night, the Who lead singer Roger Daltrey was royally ticked off by a heckling fan for shouting over the personal storytelling interludes of his 'Use It Or Lose It' show.The 65-year-old rocker was enjoying the intimate setting of his solo outing, using the opportunity to share childhood working-class tales of toiling in a steel factory. But he was forced to stopped mid-story to berate an annoying fan.
"There are people here who are interested in hearing what I have to say," Daltrey scolded, "so shut the f--- up already. Come up here and we'll see who shouts louder!"
After putting the patron in his place, Daltrey showed he was in fine form. Tanned and fit, he wore a white tailored shirt that kept unbuttoning to reveal a sculpted chest that was more gladiator than grandpa. Proving he was just as vocally fit, Daltrey performed Who classics including 'Who Are You,' 'Going Mobile,' and 'Behind Blue Eyes,' and relayed a story about the death of his beloved dog, which he said lent a new melancholy to the lyric, 'No one knows what it's like to be a sad man.'
The more loquacious half of The Who, Daltrey didn't seem lost without partner Pete Townsend, whose sound-alike younger brother Simon Townsend filled in on vocals and guitar. Daltrey was in a playful mood, peppering the set with more obscure Who tunes "that Pete never wanted to play," such as 'Pictures Of Lily,' 'Naked Eye,' and a ukulele-driven 'Blue, Red And Grey.' "Pete felt silly playing the ukulele," he teased, "but I don't."
The sold-out crowd, who got an experience that could rival any Who concert, stayed well after the show ended. You could almost imagine them asking, "Pete who?" as they shuffled out of the venue.
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Reader Comments(1 of 3)
Sarahat 11-22-2009
I was at the show and it was totally annoying when people were yelling out song requests while he was trying to tell the stories behind the songs. Also very irritating that people were smoking during the concert when it's clearly a non-smoking venue. I'm not from New York and unfortunately attributed this bad behavior to "this is how they are out here". Next time, go to an arena and not a small theater, you won't be disruptive in a larger venue.
hellonhigheels23at 11-24-2009
I love The Who, I have for ages, and I wasn't at this concert but I just have to comment on what you said here Sarah. I live in New York City as well as some other people on here, and it's not really fair to say that "that's how we are over here". You will ALWAYS have the asshole who is drunk or smoking pot or shouting out things, no matter what state or town you're in.
So do us all a favor and don't stereotype. I wouldn't do the same to you.
sandra cannonat 11-24-2009
To: High heels, How Dare she? MY State is the 1 with the yelling drunks and pot smokers,lol. Ca all the way to NY
Giaat 11-24-2009
Sarah...just wondering how do you know that the rude, disruptive fan was a New Yorker?? Perhaps they're where you're from. Don't judge.
donachukat 11-24-2009
Sarah, People pay Money to hear him sing not to hear his boring tales of life story. Why do Entertainers feel yhey have something valuable to say just because they can sing and or act?
Greg D.at 1-29-2010
Roger's concert at the Nokia was great, but his concert earlier at the Borgota was a show-stopper! Sounded better than a Who concert. Impressive. Keep on rockin' Roger.
Cathyat 11-22-2009
Sarah, I was there too, and I'm from New York City. I thought the behavior of a very few certain individuals was rude, but please, for the 2000 other people who were there who behaved respectfully, DON'T attribute a few people's bad behavior to where they are from. Some people will smoke pot, and some people will talk when the music's not loud in any major city venue, especially when they're drinking. I've been going to concerts in different venues around the world for over 40 years, and there are people everywhere who just don't have patience for quiet songs or listening to people talking. I was near a bunch of disruptive fans near the front and I tried to get them to be quiet, but they were too drunk to care.
Roger clearly overrreacted to these few unruly fans. He kicked a cup across the stage because he was unhappy about how the sound was coming across to him on the stage. I don't blame Roger for being upset, but threatening to beat up the person who was annoying him was totally unprofessional. I have a feeling people have to tiptoe around Roger Daltrey's temper rather frequently.
None of these negative things kept me from enjoying what was an excellent show and a real treat to see someone of Roger's caliber in such a small venue. I hope you feel the same, in spite of your comment.
coloradopiat 11-24-2009
I'm going to start carrying around a spray bottle and spraying people who don't know how to behave everywhere.
DELat 11-24-2009
Hey, coloradopi! That spray bottle better be small enough to fit up your @ss, because that's where it will end up if you try to use it in NYC.
Brooklyn Drummerat 11-22-2009
Ah, Sarah and Cathy.. I would love to see how you would react if someone interrupted you while you were working. Roger's testosterone is what brought you there in the first place. He's a passionate perfectionist who apparently doesn't suffer fools lightly. Lighten up ladies - it's only rock and roll, not an uptight evangelical bible thumper meeting.
ProfAdrockat 11-22-2009
Ah, Brooklyn Drummer...I would love to see what job you have where no one ever interrupts you! Part of being a professional musician is learning that people will talk, drink, smoke, and often not pay attention while you are playing! The show goes on...
Now a heckler is a little over the top, but it sounds like Roger was upset at lots of different things (sound, smoke, yelling)...and from the sound of the reviews of his voice, he needed to save it for singing...
Brooklyn Drummerat 11-24-2009
Ah, ProfAdrock...I do hope your generalizations of my observations are not the kind of attention to detail you put forth in your chosen field. Are you a professional musician?? Ya gotta listen to be one.
Listen, everyone gets interrupted at work, but being heckled is something quite different. That heckler was a complete ass - as most of the people I spoke to enjoyed the banter even if it affected the pacing of the show. Having poor sound would piss me off, too.
Listen, this Daltrey show was a rare glimpse at the giant who played Monterey, Woodstock, Carnegie Hall, RAH.. I would have given my eye teeth to see a band like the WHO in a small pub - have a pint with them and hear their stories. This was as close as you could get to that. The alternative being sterile cookie cutter stadium shows.
Ya know, "listening to you, I get" a headache... Perhaps ole Roger should have has a placard advertising, Magic Theater- Entrance Not For Everybody!, like Hesse had in Steppenwolf. So Prof, there endeth the lesson. Keep listening...ok?
Seanat 11-23-2009
I was at the show also right near the stage on the side of Frank Simes. Roger never threatened to beat anyone up. He said why don't you come up on stage and sing.
Tonyat 11-24-2009
I go to a concert to hear Music! Not blithering Idiots most of my favorite musicians turn out to be. Any diatribe outside of the music format is an Insult to the people who pay to see you perform. If your grizzly old ass wants to talk do it in its proper place, not a paid music FORMAT!
fredat 11-24-2009
saw him in cleveland at the House of Blues and he kind of sucked. alot of it was the crappy sound they always have their but i wasn't impressed
jjoekiker7at 11-24-2009
How much do those tickets cost in a small venue such as that and the heckler made for a story otherwise I would not have even read about this WHo guy............. who the fuck is who who are who whoooo are you r-u r-u r-u that would have been a good fight.....a 65 yr old against a drunk........but I was asking how much are the tickets costly tickets keeps the majority of the riff-raff OUT....and do they check for weapons in those concerts....like a machine metal detector....????? can anyone answer these questions and stop the lies.......seems most of the commentators "were there" every-one on earth "was there" that night...yeah right I saw you...... werent you siting right next to me???
joewolfat 11-24-2009
Seems everybody in the world "was there" that night me too I was there and I wanna see this drummer boy fight......... a drunk how much do those tickets cost... I bet the tickets to a small venue concert are very expensive how did this heckler get in. seems the riff-raff would be weeded out when the tickets are like 500-600 bucks....
David Rakesat 11-24-2009
Roger Daltrey has the vocal skills and the fighting skills to kick the average heckler's ass. Beware loudmouths!
goodkarmascat 11-24-2009
I'm going to see him tonight here in Charleston South Carolina. We may have our problems here in South Carolina, but at least we're polite, civil and use good manners (Rep. Joe Wilson is a bad example of course.)
Tamiat 11-24-2009
Goodkarmasc, you will enjoy the show! I just drove up to Charlotte from Myrtle Beach on Sunday to see him & it was an awesome show!
I sure doesn't matter where you live. I have gotten aggravated at the House of Blues before with people talking during the shows. Not only is it rude, but it's also stupid to spend all that money on a show & then talk through it! I happens every where regretfully.