The Who legend Roger Daltrey brands Elton John ‘a***y’ in row over ‘snubbing’ charity gigs

Roger Daltrey branded Elton John ‘a***y’ as their spat over the singer’s alleged snubbing of the rocker’s charity gigs rumbled on this week.

Back in 2018, the Who rocker, 76, declared Elton, 76, ‘should answer his bl***y emails’ regarding shows for the Teenage Cancer Trust – which Roger is a longstanding patron of – adding that he had done Elton’s AIDS Foundation charity’ three times.

The Rocketman singer’s representatives said at the time they had responded and added they had ‘no recollection’ of Roger performing at Elton’s events – with the singer’s husband David Furnish revealing Elton was ‘puzzled’ by the feud.

Won’t Get Fooled Again: Roger Daltrey branded Elton John ‘a***y’ as their spat over the singer’s alleged snubbing of the rocker’s charity gigs rumbled on this week (pictured 2019)

Roger told The Mirror: ‘I wasn’t making a big deal out of it but then Elton got a***y about it.’

 I’ve had the same number 40 years. But when you get to Elton’s status as a monstrous, massive star… it’s not easy to get hold of these guys.’

The Baba O’Riley singer reiterated that he had performed for Elton’s charity and said: ‘Without the support of teens, neither Elton nor The Who would have had the careers or lives they have had.’

Roger also took a swipe at the Rolling Stones, saying he’d ‘tried for years’ to get them to perform at his charity shows.

I Can't Explain: Back in 2018, the Who rocker, 76, declared Elton, 76, 'should answer his bl***y emails' regarding shows for the Teenage Cancer Trust - which Roger is a longstanding patron of - adding that he had done Elton's AIDS Foundation charity' three times (pictured 1991)

I Can’t Explain: Back in 2018, the Who rocker, 76, declared Elton, 76, ‘should answer his bl***y emails’ regarding shows for the Teenage Cancer Trust – which Roger is a longstanding patron of – adding that he had done Elton’s AIDS Foundation charity’ three times (pictured 1991)

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Elton John and the Rolling Stones for comment. 

In June iconic frontman Roger revealed he craved normality at the height of his fame with the ground-breaking band, and admits his enormous success distanced him from his old friends.

Speaking to Piers Morgan during Good Morning Britain, the star touched on his time with The Who after being asked what he misses most in lockdown.   

He said: ‘Human contact. That’s what I didn’t like about being a celebrity. It kind of distanced me from my mates and everyone treated me differently immediately after I became famous. I didn’t like that. 

‘I never wanted to be different. I like to just chat to people and be treated normally.  I just miss that human contact.’  

Who Are You? Although Elton denied snubbing Roger's request, Roger told The Mirror : 'I wasn't making a big deal out of it but then Elton got a***y about it' (pictured 1989)

Who Are You? Although Elton denied snubbing Roger’s request, Roger told The Mirror : ‘I wasn’t making a big deal out of it but then Elton got a***y about it’ (pictured 1989)

Daltrey was appearing on the show remotely from his East Sussex home to appeal for donations on behalf of the Teenage Cancer Trust.   

The singer, who serves as a patron for the charity, admitted the coronavirus health crisis and subsequent government mandated lockdown had affected their ability to raise money. 

He said: ‘All our funding is events based so all our funding has been cut. We’re totally charity funded. 

‘Everyone thinks it’s great that children have nurseries and rainbows on the wall, but for adolescents, they are completely different and apart from us, there’s nothing there for them. 

You Can't Always Get What You Want: Roger also took a swipe at the Rolling Stones, saying he'd 'tried for years' to get them to perform at his charity shows (pictured with Rolling Stones' Keith Richards and bandmate Pete Townshend)

You Can’t Always Get What You Want: Roger also took a swipe at the Rolling Stones, saying he’d ‘tried for years’ to get them to perform at his charity shows (pictured with Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards and bandmate Pete Townshend)

‘It’s really important we survive. Early diagnosis with cancer is everything. If there are teenagers with aches and pains who’ve been frightened to go to hospital, that’s frightening.’   

Daltrey also described current lockdown restrictions as a ‘nightmare’, adding: ‘It’s like three months of Sundays. In that sense it’s a nightmare. 

‘I live on a farm so it hasn’t been too bad… it’s not been completely isolating for myself and my wife.

Reflecting on his extraordinary career with The Who, the singer pinpointed their legendary appearance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969 as an enduring highlight.    

More than 400,000 crowed onto a sprawling dairy farm in New York State for the three day summer event, during which the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Crosby, Stills and Nash all featured on the same bill. 

And Daltrey admitted he will forever remember watching the sun rise as The Who waited for their own performance at 5:00am on the festival’s third and final day.   

‘I suppose the sun coming up at Woodstock,’ he said,when asked for his favoutite memory with the band. 

‘The sun pokes its head over the horizon. That moment, and it was very near to the end of the show, when I was so looking forward to coming up’. 

More than 100m records sold: The Who -formed in 1964 - are one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century (pictured 1978)

More than 100m records sold: The Who -formed in 1964 – are one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century (pictured 1978)

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