Roger Daltrey Interview - 1978

This is a 1978 Roger Daltrey interview from the BBC show The Old Grey Whistle Test. He talks about Keith Moon (who had recently died at the time) and a bit about The Kids Are Alright.

[@trapper2]

For all Townshend's ability to theorise, Roger has a way of cutting to the heart of the matter, as he does here. Pretty safe to say he missed Keith, you can't fake that.

[@paulflattery8817]

trapper2 He is a decent,honourable,working class bloke 😊

[@Francisco54553]

@@paulflattery8817 😍 and a terrific student

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

I don't think he ever recovered from losing Keith...

[@dsto2716]

Keith always thought of Roger as an older brother. He said Roger was the only one he ever knew that had it all together.Keith called Pete every night and sometimes Roger to wish them a good night and would always say i love u? Pete said that Keith was very insecure.

[@5jerry1]

~ I remember reading that. I also remember Pete would reply with something like "I love you too, but you're still an asshole." I think only Townshend could say something like that and still come off as affectionate.

[@clc-gl4jn]

Roger is a pure heart and good man underneath the tough man exterior he has... I really do feel for him in this. You can see his love and admiration for Keith in a sensitive way... A good man and arguably the greatest frontman in rock and roll (in my opinion).

[@JaLa248]

I completely agree with you!

[@daviddring2365]

They clashed alot but brothers do! It's clear that that Roger is mourning here and completely adored Keith

[@CatholicPancake]

okay anyone here who says that they want to hug roger is okay! and if anyone has a problem with it, and think theyre gay, you shouldnt be reading comments. a man is not gay for wanting to hug another man.

[@TuckerSP2011]

Roger was always a lovely, generous and honest chap.

[@sralyn]

I've met him a few times. Each encounter was wonderful. He was so friendly, gave amazing hugs...

[@johnisallin]

There is so much pain in Roger's voice. You can hear it and see the hurt on Roger's face.

[@regesuchma3658]

John Bickle i saw the big interview with dan rather interviewing roger daltery and dan asked roger any regrets and roger said not doing enough to save keith moon

[@stevedixon8567]

roger's always had a big heart

[@5jerry1]

@@stevedixon8567 ~ He really seems like one of the nicest people you'll find anywhere.

[@a.tanner8524]

Roger Daltrey is a very genuine and decent man.

[@margirl58]

Rest in peace Moony I know you have the angels laughing :(...

[@ihatememes3131]

he was keeping in so much pain there

[@beebug97]

I just want to hold him. He's knocked more than a few people out yet he can still cry. I love that.

[@sralyn]

So do I. He's our Boo. 💔

[@JaLa248]

Yeah I heard he was a fighter, but I don’t feel like he looked for trouble. He’s the most calmest, patient, great demeanor of all of them!

[@SpinStar1956]

Still shakes me up to this day! 🌝 Such a fragile human, but so strong, vibrant and real. 🌝 In his drumming, he’s playing a lead instrument; and is what I loved so much about him. 🌝 Other drummers play beats, supply backgrounds a some do great phrases; but Moonie sang with his drums-always! 🌝

[@gordonm7038]

Ollie Reed was devasted when Keith died. Even years later he would come to tears if Keith was brought him in conversation. A great mad partnership with outlandish moments! Greatly missed.

[@Pinballpete007]

The sad thing is that Keith Moon has been dead longer now then he has been alive. I often think how much better The Who would have become if he was still here......RIP Keith from a long standing Who fan for 44 years and counting

[@renjay3743]

Isn't everyone dead longer than they are alive?

[@StonyStevenson75]

In my opinion The Who's best work in the studio and on stage was behind them by the time they lost Keith, so I don't know how they would have 'become much better' had he lived. Would they have done more albums? Would Pete have written different material to what transpired on Face Dances, It's Hard, etc? Either way there's very little of their material post-Moon that stacks up against the period he was in the band, so I'm inclined to believe that his presence on the later albums wouldn't have made a great deal of difference to the writing, if at all. Had Keith died in 1970 I'd be wondering too..

[@luciajohnson7461]

Same who fan since being a mod in 79 after quadrophenia movie. 40 years later still am a huge fan

[@ernestkinas5973]

It's amazing that Keith made it to thirty-two.

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Like john bonham 32 keith moon died legendary 🥁 drummers

[@prusso09]

how cool... he did end up making that single with 8 drummers, it was called under a raging moon.

[@BernardWilkinson]

I have that album autographed by Roger.

[@colingeddes2172]

@@BernardWilkinson i have that album too and bloody great track under a raging moon !

[@arellatikvah]

Roger did get eight drummers together to record Under A Raging Moon. Moon was amazing!!! But I Love Roger.

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

This is really painful to watch...

[@xxclairaxx]

The poor guy... I just wanna give him a hug, you can tell right at the beginning with that "sigh" that he's fighting to keep it together... Teh poor bebe. :( Long live the Who. :)

[@johnisallin]

Roger is so honest and emotional here. He truly loved Keith. This is a fantastic vid! Thanx for posting... 3:28 ; " It will never,ever be the same. That died." :(

[@RockNRollRanter]

Poor guy. He looks like he's near tears the whole time. :-( Thanks for posting, though, SusieQ!

[@adamtzsch]

Wonderfully touching. Especially coming from Roger who used to beat up Keith.

[@helenbryant404]

Moon was vicious to Roger ! Roger flushed his drugs down the loo because his antics - and those of the other band members- were bringing the music down.

[@bwc3821]

@superlou1s Pure is the right word. He had a reputation for being the tough guy in the group but I think that was just his "pure" emotions coming out. He beat up Keith a couple times but in the end probably loved Keith more than anyone else in the group. It's sad how shaken up he looks in this interview.

[@carmaj156]

Wow, I've never seen Roger like that. He's completelly shocked and a milimeter to break down criyng. The facial expression is the same a mother has everytime she's gonna talk about his recently dead song. So sad.

[@boataxe4605]

Proofread.

[@longliverock1973]

aw i just want to give roger a hug he is almost in tears. we all miss keith so much RIP

[@magicbus144]

As a moon fan ,listening to Roger talk so openly and genuine about Moony is just great! I always thought Roger and Moon had a love , hate relationship!

[@helenbryant404]

I think they did, a bit.

[@melvynn11]

Roger was still *so* grieving here over Keith's death. It took him a long time before he could even speak of K.M. without this obvious grief. One of the biggest moments in his/their lives for sure was when K.M. left. For me, too, as a fan. xo R.I.P. K.M.

[@MsFanmail]

You can tell Roger is sad about Keith death here

[@wildliongirl]

Tough guy has a soft side, it seems. I like his hair. Very... fluffy.

[@christinecollins6648]

I inspired many imitators. I believe Plant and Frampton amongst

[@caseyjones0113]

❤️❤️❤️❤️ Blessed be, Roger ❤️

[@Susan-mc2rn]

Roger and Keith didn't get along at first.But when Keith died he seemed 2 be more grief stricken than anybody else just goes 2 show even a toughie like Roger have a sensitive side!!!

[@barbaracaroll]

It was Roger that had Kenney Jones removed from the band

[@Mayrienn]

Keith Moon was one part of the greatest rhythm section that ever lived as well as being the greatest drummer ever in the greatest band ever. Zak Starkey is the current Who2 drummer and although he is Ringo's son, Keith taught him how to play and he does play with that same thrashing style. I miss Keith and not only him but his outrageness which kept him original and thrilling. Can't wait to see him and Twinkle together at the great gig in the sky. Then I'm kickin' her down and we're drinking!

[@joe549549]

The Who ARE the best rock band ever

[@tominrochester]

Question- Anybody else ever seen an interview with Pete (i think) where Pete talks about Moon's passing and says something to the effect that the fans/press/etc all moan the loss of a great drummer, but for him it was his friend...? feel like I might have seen it on a DVD of the Who with concert footage, videos, and interviews...

[@dissidentaggressor7629]

tominrochester I think you're thinking of John Entwistle. He was being interviewed by the French Press, and when he was asked about The Who's future after Keith's death, he broke down in tears.

[@andymassingham]

Yes, I think I know the one. It was in a mini series called Rock and Roll in the mid-late 90's. Pete gave a typically biting interview which I remember him saying "All my friends are dead. Brian Jones, Keith Moon, Jimi. They're your heros but they were my friends and they're fucking dead."

[@fenderguitars6050]

The who ; the top rock band ever !!!

[@simonpearn479]

As Roger says Keith was the funniest man he had ever met!

[@kiwidavid72]

Wow. Roger Daltry is a beautiful man. There's love in this clip

[@sralyn]

DALTREY

[@bwc3821]

3:18 looks like the closest point Roger came to crying.

[@michaelloughlin734]

Yes the greatest drummer and he is sorely missed he was perfection in every way with a pair of drum sticks he was absolutely magical r.i.p Keith....

[@123jhouse]

At 5.12 there is a little flash of Keith Moon flying into action as Pete cranks it up. They really did feed off each other big time. Its no wonder The Who sound changed so much without him.

[@suzannetaylor6285]

Love the Barbara Ann bit.... watching Keith and Pete shred it is classic...

[@tidningsboije5568]

Is it a beach boy's song?

[@juliebryne2903]

@@tidningsboije5568 yes!

[@Abkeda]

He's so gracious...what a man!

[@ComedicArtist866]

I so wanna give Roger a hug. He looks so sad. :(

[@sralyn]

Me too.

[@thomasknopf7194]

The Who died the day Moon did, period.

[@stephengoldring5316]

That's what the uk press do we build you up and pull you down

[@natashasemrau3670]

The tabloid press does that in the US too.

[@rockandrollfan470]

I’m surprised they were so close. Keith was wild always off it on drugs and alcohol. This man was clean.

[@ChromeDestiny]

Roger wasn't totally clean but in the name of preserving his voice he usually didn't try to compete much with harder partying Keith.

[@acarter4747]

I actually think Keith and Roger were very similar under the bravado . Both gentle yet strong .

[@iSquishMoths]

It's hard to tell whether it was suicide or he just took too many after building a tolerance to pills. It was a matter of eating 3 passing out waking up eating more waking up eating more and they killed him. I think he might have mixed the pills with alcohol also.

[@MrGb1965]

How does someone accidentally take that many pills?

[@MrGb1965]

@The SNES Man 32 pills. Why?

[@ricadrew]

Always so blown away by ox's basslines!

[@Springamatul]

it must have so sad this interview.

[@jonapplegate6695]

As much as us fans have bagged on Daltrey, he has been a fierce and tireless supporter of Moon even to this day. That is impressive for all that Moon openly disdained Roger.

[@TuckerSP2011]

Jon Applegate I love Roger, he always kept his head and fought hard for his mates. He has a great heart.

[@121privateidaho]

He's a C*U*P* supporter and vociferous LEAVATICK! on the subject of Project Fantasy *

[@aljforever01]

OMG ! Roger's hair is sooooooooooo blonde,! ((:

[@jbranum3087]

Nice to see Rogers humanity here. His bootstrap Torrey crap of late is really disappointing.

[@moontheloon1969]

you can tell he loved the man but we all have freinds that are nuts but at the same time we love them dearly

[@scarlet0770]

amazing journey is amazing..Its my "who" fix

[@hahahayess]

wow keith moon's favorite song was by the beach boys :) niceeeeeee.

[@jamesheath7601]

RIP Keith

[@a.tanner8524]

I had no idea that Keith’s favourite song was Barbara Anne by the beach boys.

[@janesmith7676]

Keith was a HUGE Beach Boys fan, to the point where it was said he would have left The Who and joined them if he'd ever gotten an offer.

[@loonymoongirl]

Wow, so incredible to see the deep emotion from roger....but then ending on an up moment from Keith.....barbara ann, she ate my hand...

[@manuelaroncancio4610]

I just wanna hug him

[@sralyn]

I did get to hug him...

[@amerocker]

I _laughed_ listening to Moon talking to the others about the lyrics to "Barbara Ann". And I've seen the song clip many times. 😊

[@superfuzzymomma]

Touching, this! - Cheers, John, Keith, and Cheers, Roger! - God Save Peter Townshend!

[@harryrosson9499]

Keith moon with the high tenor

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

This is how shocking looks

[@almargakira]

resembles pete? well i guess i could see it a lil, thats ac tually his longtime assistant/chafuer peter dougal butler, who stopped workin for keith the same year that their rehearsal was flimed i guess when keith had the beard in 77 he was just too fuckin much, im pretty sure thats when he was at his worst with gettin fucked up on downers and coke and bottles and bottles of brandy and champagne

[@alexthomson7465]

When keith was drumming and singing at the start it sounded a bit like the beach boys, when Pete struck his chord... INSTANTLY it became The Who. The grit, the power, the tone the melody.. ❤

[@timrobinson100]

Let’s be honest , he was an extremely disturbed man who brought it all on himself

[@barrydwork5247]

My all-time favorite Who album is Tommy. Roger brought life to this character. The Who are a band that shaped and defined how I feel music in general. He internalized the role of the singer as an actor playing a role in the song.

[@kevindavies2066]

It took Pete, Roger and John years to come to terms with Keith's death. As mush as it is documented that they all constantly fell out and bickered, i really believe that as a band they were closer than any other. Roger and Pete have both been know to say that they blame themselves for now helping Keith more, i think they still find it difficult.

[@randyzeitman1354]

Typically generous Roger… But also typically Roger.

[@GlAsSaRm]

keith was involved in a dreadful car accident where he was drunk at the wheel and someone he knew was killed its said this haunted him, the who where probably the best rock band ever,

[@changoleonrodriguez1599]

Charlie Watts estuvo en el Funeral de Keith Moon y se dice que Lloraba a mares por su muerte.

[@mvl6827]

Loony Mooney was one of a kind. Impossible to live a life like that into old age.

[@timrobinson100]

How? Was he better than Bonham roger

[@PretzelLogic]

the 'reporter' is the legendary annie nightingale - still on radio 1

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Pete did a chuck berry move then

[@5jerry1]

@Nur100etc That's Pete Butler, nickname "Dougal." He was Moon's driver and personal assistant for most of Moon's career.

[@fryyy.bender2100]

the who playing Babbaran (the beach boys) sounded like a precursor to the Ramones which I mean in a good way of course. I probably misspelt or even mis named baBARRAN. Whatever, not that much of a beach boy's fan. But they had something. It just needed something. Like the Ramones to put some soul into it.

[@5jerry1]

~ It's called "Barbara Ann." Jeeze.

[@steveconn]

Moon was looking pretty bad towards the end.

[@RSTI191]

Wow, so young..

[@benjamin2peters]

Train Wreck!!! These guys knew how to have some fun!

[@longliverock1973]

no hes english

[@fiberrabit8229]

Was the film even made or released?

[@5jerry1]

~ It came out in 1979, where have you been?

[@TheWhoBassMaster]

I don't know why you got so many negative notes because that story is true! Maybe they didn't like you saying probably instead of the best band ever?

[@BrianSmith-ix3ns]

the music must change...the only track on who are you that didn't feature Keefs' magicaniacal drumming

[@BernardWilkinson]

A very prophetic album. The album cover shows Keith sitting on a chair with the words "Not to be taken away" stencilled on it.

[@StevenLynnMusic]

He definitely did.

[@BrianSmith-ix3ns]

it simply took too much energy to be Keef...one in 5.7 billion

[@StanBennet]

Keith Moon and Dennis Wilson -- so much alike.

[@wrsawy]

You can tell, Roger is bummed out big time. He was right, the WHO were never the same after Moonie turned into worm food.

[@longliverock1973]

hell yah you are so right

[@BurnRoddy]

Your MASTER HAHAHAHA

[@vic3925]

0:11 The granny face

[@renjay3743]

Lol. Steptoe.

[@pappyodanial]

When Bonzo died the bed fell off the legs.

[@mizshellytee]

indeed.

[@roythewho]

is roger australian? he sounds like!

[@eleanorfleming8137]

and you got the who in your username ,tsk tsk

[@eddiegreenslade8970]

roythewho sherpard bush boy

[@FrankieParadiso4evah]

He's got a fairly broad Cockney (London) accent which sounds similar to Australian English.

[@PrincessZ1]

I am so sorry, but here Roger looks like a handsome Rocky Dennis.

[@grahamjarman]

LittleB im sure he shagged cher too, which of course is weird

[@alexscott730]

2:40...Am i the only one who can hear Roger quietly blaming Pete Townsend for keeping the band and Mooney caged up for 3 years recording his pretencious "rock opera" as opposed to being on the road playing live?.....Cage a lion for too long and he will start to fall apart.

[@BarryMiller2956]

Alex Scott lmao he wasn’t talking about the Tommy era, they were touring consistently then. He’s talking about 75-78, when there were large gaps between tours/shows, which was also largely Keith’s fault for moving to LA and isolating himself from the rest of the group in pursuit of every kind of excess while becoming completely out of shape for touring.

[@sralyn]

Townshend.

[@mullingman]

such a geezer

[@nneevveerrmmoorree]

Moon was not on par with Gene Krupa or Neal Peart..or even Buddy Rich

[@Susan-mc2rn]

Roger reminds me of my mate from school Robert Green.He died when he was 19!!!

[@SirLoinofBeef235]

Listen to Heaven or Hell, the first song on the extended update of Live at Leeds. Right out of the gate. Top that😊