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Wafric News – May 7, 2025

Wolverhampton, UK — Legendary frontman of The Who, Roger Daltrey, isn’t afraid to speak his mind—even when it comes to fan favorites. Performing at a packed Civic Hall on his Alive & Kicking tour, the 81-year-old rocker found himself facing off with a vocal audience member insistent on hearing the band’s 1969 classic, "Pinball Wizard."

Despite the crowd’s enthusiasm, Daltrey made it clear he was over that particular tune. A video from the show captures the moment a fan repeatedly shouts, “Play Pinball Wizard!”, prompting a direct—and humorous—response from the rock icon.

"I'm fed up with that. Done it too much," Daltrey fired back, brushing off the request as he prepared to perform a cover of The Kinks’ "Days" instead.

The fan, refusing to give in, yelled, “It’s not as good as Pinball Wizard!” Unshaken, Daltrey laughed and quipped, "Shut the f* up!"**—a blunt retort delivered with a smile that drew laughter from the crowd.

Still, the fan pressed on. "I'm of a generation where Pinball Wizard was our favorite. Just do it!" they shouted.

But Daltrey stood firm. "I can’t play Pinball Wizard. I’m the world’s worst pinball player you’ve ever seen in your life," he explained. "I don’t want to do it, ’cause I just don’t want to do it."

As the shouting continued, the rock veteran finally laid it down: "Open your f*ing ears and listen to this. Much as I appreciate you, I am not going to play Pinball Wizard."**

One last plea came from the determined fan: "I'm in my 60s and I need you to do it!" But by then, the rest of the audience had heard enough and urged the fan to pipe down so the show could go on.

Daltrey, who wrapped his Alive & Kicking tour on May 4, has been refreshingly honest with fans about aging and how it's impacting his performances. Speaking during a stop on the tour, he joked, “The joys of getting old mean you go deaf. I also now have got the joy of going blind. Fortunately, I still have my voice.”

In an earlier interview with Billboard, Daltrey shared that he’s entering a new chapter of his musical journey. “I just want to branch out and do something different... It’s gonna be quite interesting. I’m just determined to enjoy myself and explore the freedom I’ve got to do what I want to do on this tour."

And enjoy himself he did—even if it meant leaving Pinball Wizard behind for good.


By WafricNews Desk.

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