What if Townshend changes his mind and expresses enthusiasm to reunite with Daltrey for one final Who tour?

"You're putting me in a corner," he replied. "I'd be up for it if the reason Pete's doing it isn't just to make money. I'll do it to make good music and to show people what we were, before we leave the stage forever. You can't just half turn up for a tour.

"Singers can't dial it in at concerts, because it shows immediately. I'm doing it because I love it, and it's what I do ... I've got a voice and I want to use it. I have never toured only for the money. Yes, the money is very useful. But I couldn't do it just for that; you can't. You need to be passionate about what you do and you really need to connect with the audiences. If you don't, you're failing. "

But Daltrey's San Diego concert will feature him sharing the stage with Townshend. That is, Simon Townshend — Pete's younger brother — a longtime touring member in both Daltrey's band and in the Who.

"I always use Simon Townshend; he's been with me on my tours since 1994," Daltrey said. "We go back a long way — I used to change Simon's nappies! He's a sweetheart and he's a great musician. There's something about his voice when we sing harmonies, because it's a (Pete) Townshend derivative. We work great together and I love him dearly."

In June, Daltrey and a predominantly British band will undertake a nine-city U.S. tour he is billing as "semi-acoustic." It is designed to focus on songs from his solo albums, along with some Who favorites.

But Daltrey's May 5 show at the Shell will — apart from him and Simon Townshend — feature an otherwise all-electric band of American musicians. And their repertoire will, he said, lean more towards Who songs than his solo work.

'Kind of ridiculous'

Daltrey's most recent concerts took place at London's historic Royal Albert Hall, where six performances were held between March 18 and 24. They were held to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which has raised more than $39 million since he founded the charity organization in 2000. He is stepping down as its head this year but will still be involved.

Last month's first two Royal Albert Hall concerts were headlined by the Who, in what may end up as the band's final appearances. The concluding March 24 show included a version of the Who's classic "Baba O'Riley" that featured vocals by Daltrey, Robert Plant and Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder.

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