The Who's lead singer Roger Daltrey has railed against pot smokers in the audience at their shows in the past and he did it again on May 13 at Madison Square Garden.
"I've got to tell you, all the ones smoking grass down here, I'm totally allergic to it. I'm not kidding around. I'm allergic to that shit and my voice just goes schwupp. It sucks up. So FUCK YOU!"
The crowd roared with laughter, not quite knowing if he meant it or it was a joke on the fans in the front rows.
Ironically, the band performed "We're Not Gonna Take It," which includes the famous lyrics:
Hey you smoking mother nature
This is a bust
Update: In his defense, on May 16, Daltrey told Billboard: "I'd just like to make it clear that it is quite well known amongst real Who fans that I have an extreme allergic reaction to pot and cigarette smoke. I have a sensitive issue on my vocal cords and the smoke has the effect of shutting down my voice making singing really hard work. I really don't want to spoil anyone’s enjoyment, all I ask for is a little respect for someone doing their best to deliver a good night out for everyone. If you have to smoke it, get off your ass and go to the bog (bathroom) or eat it. Please refrain from blowing clouds of it at me. I probably end up smoking more of your pot than you do and it becomes a singer's nightmare. You are putting the whole show in jeopardy by your selfish behavior, give it some thought."
At a show at the Nassau Coliseum in 2015, guitarist Pete Townshend told fans to "stick it up your ass."
If Daltrey has a problem with cannabis smoke, then he should say so during the show and politely ask fans near the stage to not light up. But cursing out fans for doing something he surely did plenty of during his long career as the band's frontman is rude. Perhaps potheads should stop attending Who shows as a protest against Daltrey's boorish behavior. What do you think?
