Roger Daltrey on Brighton Beach

25th May 2010

This morning, I turned on my radio and they played Parklife by Blur and Phil Daniels.

A few hours later, I was stood next to Roger Daltrey on Brighton Beach as he reminisced about sitting here on a deckchair with Phil.

There's actually a picture of them both sat there - in the same exact spot - in the booklet of the Quadrophenia soundtrack album.

The tunnel has just been painted by some students, and they've done a good job.

Pictures of Paul McCartney, Abba, Fatboy Slim, and - right in the middle - The Who on a carousel.

It was here that Roger declared it "open", and signed above the painting.

There were several film cameras there, and several more photographers.

There was around 20 or so fans, a few of us with Who shirts on.

We were told that the unveiling in the tunnel would be just for the press and artists. The "fans" were supposed to wait on the steps by the Aquarium. .

Sod that.

I went in the tunnel right after Roger, and most the other fans were just behind me.

I was to the side of Roger as he unveiled it - actually closer then the press in front of him. But it was a terrible angle to get a good photo.

For the next hour or so, I stayed within several feet of him.

After the unveiling in the tunnel, we walked onto the beech. We were just east of Brighton's remaining pier.

A news reporter in a suit tried to interview him. I doubt that the interview will ever be heard though - a huge number of press (and me) were stomping around on the pebbles. During the interview, Roger saw my Who T-Shirt - white, with a ripped up Union Jack on the front, spelling out The Who. He smiled approvingly.

This is where I got some of the best pictures. Just Roger on the beach, with the pier behind him. No one else in the shot.

The beach was full of sunbathers, from all around the world. They were suddenly dismayed to see a rock star walking around them.

Then suddenly, it was autograph time.

He signed loads of stuff. Some people had several things for him to sign - which just seemed greedy.

I'd bought the Quadrophenia soundtrack CD with me, just in case.

Seemed very apt. I had to struggle to get it out of the bag.

But I was still one of the first few to get an autograph. He signed over the bottom half of the CD cover, and said "Thanks mate".

It was as though he seemed genuinely thankful that I - and the rest of us fans - had taken time out to come down and see him.