The Who have canceled one US show and postponed four others on what is billed as the British rock legends' final tour after lead singer Roger Daltrey fell ill.

The band said in a statement Tuesday that the 71-year-old Daltrey was suffering from an unspecified virus and was ordered by doctors to rest.

The Who postponed the first four dates of the group's latest tour leg, which was due to start on September 14 in San Diego.

While the band said it would reschedule the four concerts, it cancelled its September 18 headlining performance at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.

The Who is on an extensive tour to mark the band's 50th anniversary. Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend say it will be The Who's last tour at such a scale, although the band may play one-off shows afterward.

The tour, which opened late last year in Abu Dhabi and has circled through Europe and North America, is set to close on December 13 in Oakland, California.

Fellow British legends The Rolling Stones as well as Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr of Beatles fame have kept touring into their 70s, but Daltrey recently confided fear that The Who will not be able to keep performing to its standards.

"We are in uncharted territory. No one has done it as hard as we've done it at this age," he told Newsweek.

The Who usually start shows with their classic track "I Can't Explain" and play many of the band's other emblematic hits including "My Generation," "The Kids are Alright" and "Who Are You."
Source: AFP