Thanks a Lot, Mr. Kibblewhite: My Story by Roger Daltrey

Thanks a Lot, Mr. Kibblewhite: My Story by Roger Daltrey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


As a longtime fan of The Who it was fun to listen to Roger talk about his life in and outside of the group. He provided the bravado muscle on stage and in the music itself. The book provides the backstory of his trademark image and sound. He has that blue collar tell it like it is quality. The tough gritty character he projected on stage was what he is like in real life.

He tells us how he went from a kid building his first guitar from scrap wood to struggle and work up to being one of the most powerful rock vocalists of his time. He amazingly is still doing it today. In between are the stories of the rock and roll life. We get his perspective on all the sex, drugs and rock and roll. Of course he mentions the early death of their drummer Keith Moon whose excesses finally caught up with him. He also talks of the loss of legendary bassist John Entwistle who despite being quiet on stage loved the rock and roll life style. Of course we can’t forget the creative (and sometimes physical) battles with guitarist and the bands primary songwriter Pete Townshend.

On a personal note we find out he’s been married to the same woman since 1972 with many children. Although he and his wife seemed to have worked out an understanding about other women and being on the road which you can imagine can be controversial to some. He has seven children, one from his first marriage, three from his present marriage and three more from another mother (see the above mention of being on the road). All are included in his life currently.

It’s a great book if you are a fan of The Who. It’s not quite as intellectually or spiritually deep as Pete Townshend’s memoir “Who am I” from several years ago. It’s also not as crazy as the Keith Moon biography by Tony Fletcher, ”Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend”(which I’m still reading as of this writing). He’s down to earth and is mostly unapologetic about his views and actions. He’s comfortable with whom he is and still loves what he does which is to being a singer in a rock and roll band.


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