Roger Daltrey Calls Rolling Stones a ‘Mediocre Pub Band’

UltimateClassicRock ^ | November 3, 2021 | Martin Kielty

[nickcarraway]

Who frontman Roger Daltrey described the Rolling Stones as a "mediocre pub band" in a recent interview.

His comments follow those of Paul McCartney, who reignited the Beatles-vs.-Stones argument when he called Mick Jagger's group a "covers band" — leading to a lighthearted response from Jagger during a concert.

In conversation with the Coda Collection, Daltrey offered his own views, saying: "Mick Jagger, you've got to take your hat off to him. He's the number one rock 'n' roll performer." He continued with a laugh: "But as a band, if you were outside a pub and you heard that music coming out of a pub some night, you'd think, 'Well, that's a mediocre pub band!'"

Elsewhere in the interview, Daltrey revealed his envy toward Robert Plant, whose experience fronting Led Zeppelin was very different from Daltrey's own experience fronting the Who. “I managed to get the short straw of all the singers in all the bands," he reflected. "No solos! Who songs are all lyrics. Robert Plant — Percy, as we call him — he's a very good friend of mine, and we do joke about it. He said you could go off and read a book when [Jimmy] Page started up on a guitar solo or [John] Bonham stated on a drum solo. And I suddenly thought, 'I wonder what it would have been like being in a band like that!'"

Daltrey also said he was a "hater of the internet," explaining: "I never thought any good would come of it, and I still don't think anything good's come of it. I think if we're not careful it's probably the end of our civilization."

[dfwgator]

I love how they decided to do The Guess Who’s “Shakin’ All Over”, because they got tired of people confusing the two bands, so they figured why not just go ahead and cover one of their songs.

[Albion Wilde]

When you’re right, you’re right.

[A Navy Vet]

"Who isn’t qualified to be a backup band stones?"

Uh, The Pebbles?

[Rummyfan]

I saw the Stones in Tuscaloosa, Ala. 1972, and The Who in Atlanta Omni 1975.

The Omni... saw Willie Nelson there and Jackson Browne and several Flames games. Like Fulton County Stadium, it is long gone.

[ifinnegan]

“Who isn’t qualified to be a backup band stones?”

Uh, The Pebbles?

—

Here hee hee.

I’m still trying to figure out what are backup band stones.

Your answer helps.

[Rummyfan]

The Stones had Mick Taylor.

Mick Taylor left and went on to obscurity.

[usafa92]

I’d have to agree with you. I was only 10 when Zeppelin broke up but I’ve come to appreciate them over the years, and Plant had a good solo career in the 80’s so I got acquainted with him then. As I get older, I also appreciate the Beatles more and find I listen to them quite a bit.

[Rummyfan]

I was only 10 when Zeppelin broke up but I’ve come to appreciate them over the years, and Plant had a good solo career in the 80’s so I got acquainted with him then.

I saw Robert Plant in 2016. He must have been seventy-five but it was still a great show and he played and sang a great mixture of old and new.

[A Navy Vet]

Yes, little known fact. That's why he did so well on "Can't you hear me Knockin?" It's also why he had a traditional grip (think Crupa, Rich) on his left stick and not the usual matched grip where both sticks face the same direction.

Just to experiment, I played my drums yesterday with a traditional grip. Although it tends to wear on the ring finger, I found I could do more complex and faster rolls/fills.

I've always wondered what Stones songs would sound like with more advanced fills and crashes. Apparently, none of the band had a problem with Charlie's simplicity. Neither do I.

[A Navy Vet]

"Mick Taylor left and went on to obscurity."

Yeah, dumbass and he's regretted it ever since. Just think what he and Richards could have accomplished if he had stayed. He was the best lead they ever had, plus a song writer.

From what I've seen and read, Taylor thought he was too pretty boy to fit into the plain looking Stones. Plus, he thought he could form his own band - how'd that work out? Kinda like Ron Wood who went through numerous bands and wound up in the Stones years ago. Wood thought he was another Jeff Beck. Uh, no.

Still, gotta give credit to the current Stones for including him in their latest documentary.

[Flatus I. Maximus]

> Don’t know why it wasn’t ever released as a single

It was. It just didn’t make the charts. I was working as a DJ at the time and probably still have the radio mix 45 around here... somewhere. In those days a lot of songs got pressed as 45’s and were sent out to the radio stations, but if they didn’t get enough promotional push to make the Billboard Hot 100, they were D.O.A.

[Carriage Hill]

1910 Fruitgum Company & Ohio Express were the best bands of all time. </wink>

[Allegra]

Quadrophenia - The Future

[x]

When he got old and didn’t die people tuned hin out. He ought to be lying low now. Astrofest 2021 brings too many memories of Cincinnati 1979.

[Tallguy]

The Stones are never seemed to me to be a particularly ‘tight’ band musically. I enjoy most of their music but the 2 times I saw them play live they got smoked by their opening acts.

[nascarnation]

I remember there was a story from the 64 TAMI show that Jagger was freaked because they had to appear after James Brown. (or something like that)

[dfwgator]

Must have been the show Sting sung about:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC8vxXC0UMc

Turn on my VCR, same one I’ve had for years
James Brown on the TAMI show, same tape I’ve had for years

(How I loved this album back in day!)

[pangaea6]

Agree, sound like they are having a bit of fun, these almost 80 year old’s! Can you believe that! Last of their kind for sure, never be others like them or their bands

[Cecily]

The Rolling Stones

The Who

The Beatles

ARE ALL GREAT AND ALL LEGENDS.

So please shut up, Roger and Sir Paul.

[dfwgator]

“The Stones, I love the Stones. I watch them whenever I can. Fred, Barney...”

-Steven Wright