Roger Daltrey, the 82-year-old frontman of the iconic rock band The Who, has voiced strong criticism of social media, suggesting it is actively 'destroying civilization.' Daltrey made these remarks during a performance earlier this week at the Yaamava' Resort & Casino in Los Angeles.
He questioned the authenticity of online connections, asking the audience, 'how many friends have you really got?' Daltrey elaborated on his views, stating that platforms designed for interaction have become spaces for people to 'scream at each other, but nobody's f***ing listening.' He characterized the pursuit of 'likes' as a mere ego boost, advising listeners to 'let it go' as it is 'not worth it.'
Daltrey, a father of eight, drew a parallel to his band's 1960s anthem "My Generation," which explored themes of youth rebellion. He noted the enduring truth in a lyric asking, 'how many friends have you really got?' suggesting that true friendships are countable on one hand.
This sentiment follows previous critiques by Daltrey regarding contemporary culture. In 2021, he commented on 'woke culture,' asserting that individuals have the right to be objectionable and that those who are offended should 'get over it' and 'move on.'
Daltrey, who co-founded The Who in London in 1964, has seen significant changes in the music industry and society throughout his long career. The original lineup included Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon. Moon died in 1978 at the age of 32, and Entwistle passed away in 2002 at 57. Pete Townshend has previously described the band's later iterations as a 'Who tribute' following the deaths of the original members.
Daltrey currently resides in Sussex with his wife, Heather.