Roger Daltrey has responded to Pete Townshend's comments in March in The New York Times where he said, “I don’t get much of a buzz from performing with The Who. If I’m really honest, I’ve been touring for the money.” He also added that they do one final tour before they “crawl off to die.”
Daltrey tells The San Diego Union-Tribune, “If Pete doesn’t want to tour, I don’t want to be back with The Who on the road, at 81, with someone who doesn’t want be there – if that’s what he’s saying. But you know, every dog has its day and it was a wonderful ride...
“I won’t do it with someone who is halfhearted about it. The music is too important to me. The reason the Who was so powerful is because we meant it. We took your face off when we played; we didn’t swan about on stage.”
But, if Townshend, who later said he was being "sarcastic" in that Times interview, does want to tour, Daltrey is in.
“I’d be up for it if the reason Pete’s doing it isn’t just to make money. I’ll do it to make good music and to show people what we were, before we leave the stage forever...
“I have never toured only for the money. Yes, the money is very useful. But I couldn’t do it just for that; you can’t. You need to be passionate about what you do and you really need to connect with the audiences. If you don’t, you’re failing.”
Up next for Daltrey is a solo U.S. tour in June.