Roger Daltrey Says The Who Invented Heavy Metal
Roger Daltrey has reignited the long-running argument over heavy metal’s origins, saying The Who should be recognised as the first heavy metal band. The Who singer made the remarks while reflecting on the group’s early-1960s impact, from volume and gear to the aggressive stage style that later became part of rock’s visual language.
In a recent discussion of the band’s legacy, Rolling Stone reported that Daltrey argued The Who “started it all,” and said Jim Marshall built the 4×12 cabinet and 100-watt stack for guitarist Pete Townshend, while adding that Townshend’s guitar-smashing was later echoed by Jimi Hendrix.
Daltrey also pointed to The Who’s broader list of firsts, including what he described as the band’s role in pushing rock beyond pop structures and into larger conceptual work. He added that, in hindsight, the innovations matter less than what followed, even as he maintained the band’s early influence on both sound and performance culture.
Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice offered similar praise in separate comments cited in the same piece, describing The Who as the first to adopt big amplification and to push rock ‘n’ roll into something louder and more aggressive. For additional context on internal dynamics around the band, Townshend has previously said Roger Daltrey “was a bully” during parts of The Who’s history.
Daltrey’s remarks arrive as debates about heavy metal’s beginnings often focus on Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, but they also highlight how much of the genre’s DNA can be traced to earlier British rock experimentation. Whether fans agree with Daltrey’s label or not, his comments underline The Who’s importance in shaping the volume, attitude, and spectacle that became central to hard rock and metal.
