The Who's Roger Daltrey is not trying to be a grumpy old man when he scolds front-row fans for smoking pot in front of him -- as he did during a concert Monday (May 13) at Madison Square Garden in New York. But he's serious about people getting off the grass -- at least in close proximity.
Reacting to a piece about the incident in Britain's Daily Mail -- which referred to the 75-year-old frontman as a "geriatric rocker" -- Daltrey issued a statement exclusively to Billboard saying that, "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."