Roger Daltrey

Sir Roger Harry Daltrey (born 1 March 1944) is an English singer, songwriter and actor. He is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the rock band the Who, known for his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. His stage persona earned him a position as one of the "gods of rock and roll".

Daltrey's hit songs with the Who include "My Generation", "Pinball Wizard", "Won't Get Fooled Again", "Baba O'Riley", "Who Are You" and "You Better You Bet". He began a solo career in 1973 while still a member of the Who, and has released ten solo studio albums, five compilation albums and one live album. His solo hits include "Giving It All Away", "Free Me", "Without Your Love", "Walking in My Sleep", "After the Fire" and "Under a Raging Moon".

The Who are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century and have sold over 100 million records worldwide. As a member of the band, Daltrey received a Lifetime achievement award from the British Phonographic Industry in 1988, and from the Grammy Foundation in 2001. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. He and Pete Townshend received Kennedy Center Honors in 2008, and The George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement at UCLA on 21 May 2016.

Daltrey was ranked number 61 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest singers of all time in 2008; Planet Rock listeners voted him rock's fifth-greatest voice in 2009. Daltrey has also been an actor and film producer, with roles in films, theatre, and television. In June 2025 Daltrey was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the Birthday Honours for services to charity and music.

Roger Harry Daltrey was born on 1 March 1944 at Hammersmith Hospital in East Acton, London, during a Second World War bombing raid. He is the eldest of three children of Harry and Irene Daltrey, and has two younger sisters. His father, an insurance clerk, was called up to fight in the Second World War, and three-month-old Roger and his mother were evacuated to a farm in Scotland.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.