Roger Daltrey is well known as the founder and lead singer of British rock band The Who, which he never sees ending, but these days he is also appealing to a much younger audience - as a dragon bus driver called Aragon.

Daltrey, 63, has just provided the voice of Aragon for the third DVD in a series called The Wheels on the Bus that is aimed at teaching socialisation skills to two- to four-year-olds.

INTERVIEW

Daltrey speaks about his time with The Who and his charity work.

Q: How did you get involved in a kids' DVD?

Daltrey: A bunch of friends were trying to get this off the ground. It sounded interesting and I was doing nothing else so I said, "Why not!"

Q: It's quite a change from The Who. Do you enjoy it?

Daltrey: The character [of Aragon] is exhausting. I always come out of it totally wiped out, but the product works. I've been around a lot of children and it's great to find something that gives mum a break but is also educational. You don't do this sort of thing for the money, but because it is worthwhile and should be done.

Q: You have grandchildren now, haven't you?

Daltrey: Don't mention that!

Q: Are you still involved with the Teenage Cancer Trust and the week of events designed to raise money for teenagers with cancer?

Daltrey: Yes, it's in its eighth year now. It's not just about raising funds but also awareness. We are a charity that has a system of trying to make hospitals more psychologically friendly for teenagers, as they tend to withdraw in that environment.

Q: In 2006/07 The Who went on a world tour, "Endless Wire". You've been going strong for more than 40 years. Is there an end in sight?

Daltrey: We're not planning on stopping working on stage. We've had hiatuses but it was never the end and it won't be as far as I can see it. Pete Townshend has written so much important work that one tour is just a small snapshot of it.

Q: Any more tours planned?

Daltrey: We will be making music on the stage somewhere in the world this year - maybe something new. But that is in the lap of the writer and the writer is Pete. It is the 40th anniversary of [rock opera] Tommy next year so we may go and play some opera houses.

Q: Do you still enjoy working together?

Daltrey: Love it. It does get harder because of the grind of the road. But when you get the kind of rapport with someone that is like a sixth sense - as with Pete and I - then it is something so special that you can't ever consider stopping it. It's a part of you.

Q: You've released about eight solo albums. Any more in you?

Daltrey: I never really wanted to be a solo artist and I've really put it on the backburner. I now give my time to charity and that keeps me busy when I'm not busy with The Who.

Q: Have you been to see many of the bands who have reunited recently to go back on tour?

Daltrey: Not really. I think it's good it's happening and it is probably to do with the age that they are.

I did want to see Led Zeppelin and I could get a ticket, but I felt bad about going. I didn't think it was right that I should have that privilege and I thought it would be morally wrong for me to join the celebrity bandwagon that went. Led Zep was incredibly generous and gave our charity four tickets, which we auctioned.

Reuters