Roger Daltrey

Roger Daltrey is noted as a founder of the legendary rock band The Who. After leaving London's Acton County Grammar School in 1963, he formed a skiffle band called The Detours, then displayed an early genius by putting together unusual elements into a world-class performance. The unusual elements included Daltrey on vocals, John Entwistle on bass and Pete Townshend on lead guitar.

He married Jackie in 1964. They had a son, Simon, and divorced in 1968. In 1970 he married Heather Taylor (an American) and has had three children: Rosie, Willow and Jamie.

In 1965 they added drummer Keith Moon, and the fabulous line-up was complete. The band was remarkable for the synthesis of personalities: Townshend's art-school sensibilities; Daltrey's down-to-earth interpretation; and Entwistle's and Moon's skill as performers. They were first noted for deafening shows and for smashing their instruments in ferocious displays of auto-destructive art, but they went on to considerable chart success through original songs written by Townshend and the more humor-oriented Entwistle. Townshend wrote the first rock mini-opera for their second album, and after their first tour of America, the band presented the full-length rock opus Tommy, which shattered barriers and established The Who as a major artistic force in the world of music.

He has five children: Simon, Mathias (born 1967, with Swedish model Elisabeth Aronsson), Rosie Lea, Willow Amber and Jaimie.

Daltrey released his first solo album in 1973, and followed that with a number of solo chart successes.

He also established a stage and (somewhat offbeat) film career after starring in the movie of Tommy (1975).

He plays the flute, harmonica, tambourine, and guitar. Although originally the lead-guitar player of the band, Daltrey did not play guitar with The Who in the seventies. He began playing again after the death of Keith Moon in 1978 changed The Who lineup. After this, he occasionally played electric guitar with The Who, but usually played an acoustic.

He pursued films more steadily after the death of drummer Moon, and turned to production with the drama McVicar (1980).

He was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of The Who) in 1990.

In March 2003, The Who's 1969 album "Tommy" came third in Classic Rock Magazine's list of the 30 greatest concept albums of all time.

In December 2004, he was awarded the honor of "Commander of the Order of the British Empire" (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II.

He was awarded the C.B.E. (Commander of the order of the British Empire) in the 2005 Queen's New Year's List for his services to music and charity.

In January 2007, he was living in East Sussex, England.

In February 2010, he performed at the SuperBowl XLIV halftime show in Miami, with Pete Townshend, as The Who.

In November 2011, in Los Angeles, CA, USA: As patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust, Daltrey established a concert series at London's Royal Albert Hall in 2000. The Trust has since built a number of cancer treatment centers at UK hospitals. In November of 2011, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Robert Plant and 'Dave Grohl' opened the first US unit at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

In December 2012, he sang for the The Concert For Sandy Relief. It was broadcast internationally, live from Madison Square Garden, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. The lineup also included Eric Clapton, 'Dave Grohl', Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Chris Martin, Roger Waters, Eddie Vedder, Kanye West and The Who. Celebrity presenters included Jon Stewart, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean 'Diddy' Combs and 'Chris Rock'.