Industry May 28, 2026
Roger Daltrey Claims The Who Were the First Heavy Metal Band
Pete Townshend made a similar claim a number of years ago. The Who’s Roger Daltrey: “We Were the First Heavy Metal Band” Spencer Kaufman
Originally published by
Consequence of Sound
Roger Daltrey, the frontman of The Who, has stated that the band was the first to play heavy metal. This assertion echoes a similar claim made by guitarist Pete Townshend in the past. The band's early work is often cited by music historians as a foundational influence on the heavy metal genre. Originally reported by Consequence of Sound.