Who Singer Roger Daltrey: Pete Townshend Is ‘Almost Stone Deaf’

The Who's Roger Daltrey says his bandmate Pete Townshend is "almost stone deaf" in a new interview. The singer also talks openly about his negotiations to appear on the U.K. version of 'The Voice,' his marital infidelities and his disappointment with U2's tax practices.

In his candid conversation with the U.K. newspaper Daily Mail, Daltrey reiterates what he recently divulged about Townshend's deteriorating hearing -- only this time he is even more emphatic about the Who guitarist's condition:

"Pete is almost stone deaf," reveals Daltrey. "He deafened himself in the recording studio, and when we last performed he had to stand right next to the speakers to hear anything. I don’t know what Pete will do. I don’t want to do a tour and have him end up completely deaf."

Daltrey, who is currently on tour performing the Who's 'Tommy' in its entirety, also revealed that he had been in negotiations to be a coach on the U.K. version of the TV singing competition 'The Voice.' However, his touring commitments and his reluctance to ridicule the contestants caused him to back out.

"I’m not sure I would have been any good," admits Daltrey. "I could have listened to 100 voices and said I don’t like any of them. And I would hate to really destroy someone; that’s what I don’t like about those shows. There are people in them who would never win a karaoke competition and it’s public humiliation."

In addition, Daltrey talks about how he was unfaithful to his wife of 40 years, Heather Taylor, during the early years of their marriage. "I was in one of the biggest rock bands in the world, going out for four months at a time. At that age do you expect me to come back and say, 'Oh yes darling, I was a good boy?'"

He also blasts U2 for moving a portion of their finances outside of Ireland. "I find it very interesting that people who spout socialism don’t want to pay for a socialist state. Weird," he says. "It doesn’t quite add up."

Daltrey's 'Tommy' tour will hit North America this fall. Click here to check out his full itinerary.