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In the 1960s, The Who could go toe-to-toe with anyone. But Roger Daltrey always believed two bands were “beyond” them
Roger Daltrey praised Mick Jagger as rock’s leading live performer, while saying The Rolling Stones’ musicianship could be uneven. His comments put the debate about the era’s biggest British bands in perspective: he admired the Stones as entertainers, but believed two other performers could match Jagger on stage.
Daltrey made the remarks in a 2021 interview, responding to discussion by Paul McCartney and Jagger about the Beatles and the Stones. He described the Stones as rooted in blues, comparing the bands to different foods, and said their patchiness was part of their charm. The article’s headline points to James Brown and Little Richard as the two performers Daltrey considered beyond The Who, though the supplied article text ends before explaining that comparison.
In short
- Daltrey called Mick Jagger rock’s leading live performer.
- He said the Stones’ sound could be patchy, but entertaining.
- The headline names James Brown and Little Richard as beyond The Who.
Explained simply
The Who, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were among the British bands that became internationally famous in the 1960s. Their music drew on different influences: the Stones built much of their sound around American blues, while The Who became known for forceful performances and songs about youth and everyday life.
Roger Daltrey was The Who’s lead singer, Mick Jagger fronts the Rolling Stones, and Paul McCartney was a member of the Beatles. Comparing their bands became part of a wider discussion about who made the biggest impact, both on record and in live performance.
James Brown and Little Richard were influential American performers whose energetic stage shows helped shape popular music. Their place in the story offers context for Daltrey’s view of how The Who’s live performances compared with those of other artists.