ABC/Richard Cartwright
The 18th annual Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert series, organized by The Who‘s Roger Daltrey, kicked off Monday at London’s famous Royal Albert Hall. This year’s lineup includes UB40, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Def Leppard and Daltrey himself, who will perform on Thursday.
Daltrey tells ABC Radio that he really appreciates the artists who donate their talents to the long-running series to help raise money for the U.K. charity, which helps fund recreational areas for teens and young adults in various hospitals.
“I’m just amazed that here we are 18 years later from the first year, still doing it,” says the rock legend. “Seven days of charity shows where people actually give their time and their effort for free.”
Roger points out that it was challenging to get high-profile acts to take part in this year’s benefit shows because the events are scheduled at the same time as the South American Lollapalooza festivals. Daltrey says he’s “very, very grateful” that Rodgers and Chic, who play tonight’s benefit, signed on.
Speaking of Nile, the acclaimed funk-soul musician’s own charity, the We Are Family Foundation, announced this week that it is presenting Daltrey with its 2018 Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award, which honors a person who helps promote a peaceful society. Roger is receiving the award because of his work with the Teenage Cancer Trust and its U.S. counterpart, Teen Cancer America.
Daltrey tells ABC Radio that Teen Cancer America is looking for U.S. corporate sponsors to contribute more money to fund recreational areas in hospitals.
“At the end of this year we’ll have 18 hospitals finished, but we’ve got 60 more queuing up,” he reports. “I can’t do it all on my own, nor can The Who. So, we need you Americans to start standing up for this.”
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