The Who's Roger Daltrey calls the Rolling Stones a 'mediocre pub band'
16 November 2021, 15:21 | Updated: 25 September 2023, 13:27
Pete Townshend speaks to Gold
After Paul McCartney dismisses the Stones as a "blues cover band", Roger Daltrey lays in too.
The Who and The Rolling Stones are two of the biggest ever British rock bands, but it seems as though there isn't total admiration between the two groups.
Not long after Paul McCartney re-ignited the Beatles vs Stones debate with his own barbs, The Who's frontman Roger Daltrey has joined in the argument.
It started off pretty cordially, as Roger had nothing but praise for Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
The Who - A Quick One (While He's Away)
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"You've got to take your hat off to him. He's the number one rock 'n' roll performer," he told The Coda Collection.
"But as a band, if you were outside a pub and you heard that music coming out of a pub some night, you'd think, 'Well, that's a mediocre pub band!'."
We don't know for sure, but we doubt Roger shared these thoughts with Keith Richards when the guitarist introduced The Who ahead of their performance of 'A Quick One While He's Away' at The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus concert back in 1968.
Roger's comments seem even harsher than Paul McCartney's, who not for the first time recently suggested that the Stones were one-note compared to The Beatles.
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"I’m not sure I should say it, but they’re a blues cover band," Paul told The New Yorker.
"That’s sort of what the Stones are. I think our net was cast a bit wider than theirs."
In response to the jibe, Mick Jagger hit back on stage, saying: "There's so many celebrities here tonight, of course, you know, naturally.
"Megan Fox is here, she's lovely. Leonardo DiCaprio. Lady Gaga. Kirk Douglas... Paul McCartney is here, he's going to help us – he's going to join us in a blues cover later on."
The Who - I Can't Explain
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Roger Daltrey is currently on an intimate tour of UK venues, mixing up electric and acoustic performances of Who classics, rarities, solo hits, and a fan Q&A.
“The truth is singers need to sing. Use it or lose it," he said of the smaller shows.
"On this tour I want to take the audience on a musical journey through my career as a singer, with a show of songs and sounds that explores and surprises.
"I look forward to having closer contact with my audience than festivals and arenas allow. Leaving time to chat."
