ROGER DALTREY LIVES IN THE SHED AT TANGLEWOOD

ROGER DALTREY LIVES IN THE SHED AT TANGLEWOOD

By Joe Perusse

Roger Daltrey in the Koussevitzky Hangar at Tanglewood

I made my first trip to Tanglewood about 10 years ago buying a seat in the hangar. My friend Heather, the self-proclaimed queen of Tanglewood, told me to get there early and enjoy the lawn first regardless of where I was watching the show. This was sound advice that I will share with my readers. The lawn at Tanglewood is a magical place where everyone is friendly, people have picnics, tables with flowers in vases and then even candlesticks and tents.

Tonight was my first time in two years and while the magic of the turf and Heather having no idea where the main stage is remains, a few things have changed. You can no longer set up a tent on the lawn so be sure to watch the weather and the candelabras are gone due to the no open flame rule.

Now on a trip to Tanglewood, Heather was showing me different parts of the lawn, and when she came back to the table to see melted plastic food containers, burnt paper plates and a burnt table, I think she may have contributed to that decision. Fortunately other patrons had extinguished the fire from her candles and allowed her to return.

This evening I was out on the lawn for Roger Daltrey'2024 North American tour. Daltrey he was in a playful mood with the crowd and at various times during the show answered questions submitted by fans. Opening with “Let My Love Open the Door”, a Pete Townshend cover, Daltrey had the crowd excited from the start. He recounted how he first performed at Tanglewood 55 years ago and then answered a few questions. He was happy to confirm that his wife was the Foxy Lady that Jimi Hendrix had written the song about.

“Freedom Ride” followed and asking the crowd to listen, we obliged for “Who Are You”. This was followed by 'Waiting for a Friend' written by mandolinist Billy Nicholls. After “So Sad About Us” and “After the Fire”, Daltrey he told a story about working at 15 after being kicked out of school, using bomb sites as playgrounds and after playing with the band 4-5 nights a week decided to finish his apprenticeship and really try music. Weekends were so special back then and 'Days of Light' brought him back to that time of his life.

A fan question asked him to take off his shirt. Saying there's nothing pretty about a shirtless 80-year-old who played “Giving It All Away,” a Leo Sayer cover. This was followed by a singing competition between men and women for the “Squeeze Box”. Saying they didn't even rehearse it, but it was changing things, the band did a great job on “Naked Eye.” Screaming for help because he wasn't doing it anymore, the crowd rose to their feet for 'Won't Get Fooled Again'. Katie Jacoby (Violin) shone during the song.

Daltrey stepped up on harmonica for “Going Mobile” a song he said the Who never played live. Vocals were taken over by Simon Townshend (Guitar) and Daltrey he pointed out that he does just as good a job as Pete and is much easier to get along with. This was followed by “Real Good Looking Boy” an Elvis song and then two covers by John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival), who Daltrey he said his favorite singer was “Born on the Bayou” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.”

In between the 2 songs there were more fan questions. Daltrey said he misses Keith Moon every day, he was so talented. We got snippets of “Pinball Wizard” and “Love Ain't for Keepin'” from requests and learned that his favorite venue to play is the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Another Nicholls cover “Without Your Love” was next. Talking about how Paul Simon helped launch The Who in the US by mentioning them to a radio station, the band played a cover of 'The Boy in the Bubble'.

Almost everyone was up and singing along to “Baba O'Riley” and Jacoby once again surprised on the fiddle. This was followed by the introduction of the band. Also playing with Daltrey this night were Scott Devours (Drums), Jody Linscott (Percussion), Doug Boyle (Guitar), John Hogg (Bass), Steve Weston (Harmonica) and Geraint Watkins (Keyboards/Accordion). Ending the night was “Young Man Blues” a cover of Mose Allison. Daltrey said he always liked playing it, but Pete didn't because he didn't like to post.

Opening for the night was KT Tunstall. Played a fun 6 song set paying homage to Ella Fitzgerald and Edie Brickell during “Dear Shadow/Summertime/What I Am”. She imported her band as from Taiwan as they were all electronic accessories. Closing with a medley of 'Black Horse and the Cherry Tree/ Black Betty/Seven Nation Army' and 'Suddenly I See' the crowd was ready for Daltrey.

Any questions about Tanglewood or starting the fire feel free to reach out to Heather on Instagram @alwaysbooked22. She will be so happy.

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