Roger Daltrey, has opened up about his relationship with Pete Townshend and admitted they are “total opposites”.
After more than 60 years together, The Who are finally prepared to call it quits. On July 20th, they began their farewell tour in Italy, with another show planned in Milan before they move to North America in August for a huge set of dates.
Before they set sail to the US, Daltrey has reflected on his friendship with Townshend and explained why he thinks it works despite their differences as people.
In a new interview with the AP, Daltrey said: “It’s a funny friendship, we don’t mix socially at all. We only see each other to work. He likes boats, I hate boats. I like putting my feet on the ground, I like my feet in the mud. He likes fashion, I don’t give a shit. I hate new clothes. So, we’re total opposites.”
Daltrey continued: “But it works, I don’t question it. There’s a chemistry that happens, the way he writes his songs, the way I join him to sing them. There’s something special there and we should treasure it, which indeed we are.”
Last year, Townshend, who voted remain in 2016, opened up about the political differences between the pair regarding the Brexit referendum, telling The Telegraph: “[That was] very problematic for me. I think he was wrong. But we are a nation divided down the middle.”
However, he did praise his bandmate as a human being, adding, “He’s not a fascist Right-winger, he’s a very decent man.”
Explaining his views, Daltrey told The Telegraph in 2018, “I’m not anti-Europe, I’m anti-Brussels, but people don’t get the distinction… That’s why I’m so angry about it. I want someone at least answerable to me that I can say: “F**k off, you’re useless!”
Now, in a new interview, Townshend has reaffirmed his position on the matter, and explained why he voted Remain, as well as reflecting on Daltrey’s view.
Adding: “But when we get on stage, there’s a chemistry that’s created. When we’re playing well, it starts to kick in properly. It’s still as wonderful as ever. We never really had a strong relationship off of the stage, though. It’s as simple as that.”
While Townshend dislikes a few of his old songs, including ‘Pinball Wizard’, none quite measure up to ‘Sister Disco’. The reason for his hatred of the song lies in the live show and his feigned chemistry with Daltrey. “‘Sister Disco’, I hate even more than ‘Dreaming From The Waist’ because there is a point in which every time we’ve done it where Roger comes over to me, stands next to me and makes some kind of soppy smile, which is supposed to communicate some kind of Everly Brothers relationship we have for the audience, which isn’t actually there,” he said.
