The Who's Roger Daltrey's Solo Shows a Tough Sell in the U.K.

Nearly half a century into their career, the Who remain a worldwide arena act, punctuating their periodic comebacks with high-priced, sell-out tours. However, tickets for a planned solo tour by lead singer Roger Daltrey this summer have proven to be a harder sell. At least initially, in some U.K. markets. This, despite the fact that the tour will play to smaller, more intimate concert halls than the mammoth soccer stadiums fans may be more used to seeing Daltrey perform in. Oh and then, there's this too: Daltrey is performing the Who's classic 1969 rock opera, 'Tommy,' in its entirety, in a re-dramatized, theatrical presentation.

Regardless, NME reports that advance ticket sales have underperformed so significantly in several markets, that organizers have pulled the plug on three of the U.K. dates: Warwickshire (July 3), Harrogate (July 17) and Exeter (July 24). Naturally, refunds will be given and ticketholder disappointment will eventually fade.

Daltrey's band for this tour includes Pete Townshend's brother, Simon, on guitar and comes with Pete's blessing -- he just can't rejoin his Who co-pilot for live shows until he fully recovers from a health issue involving his hearing. All the remaining dates for Daltrey's U.K. tour remain solid, with an additional itinerary set for a U.S. tour this fall. If you want it to stay that way, however, maybe you should think about buying your tickets sooner than later.