The Who postpones anniversary tour over Roger Daltrey illness

Fans of The Who in North America are going to have to wait to celebrate the band's 50th anniversary.

The band announced Friday that it was postponing all 50 dates of The Who Hits 50!tour this fall because lead singer Roger Daltrey has contracted viral meningitis.

He's feeling better, but says he's under doctors' orders to rest.

"We are very sorry to disappoint our fans in this way. For the last four weeks, I have been in and out of the hospital," Daltrey said in a statement released by the band.

"I am now on the mend and feeling a lot better but I am going to need a considerable time to recover. The doctors tell me I will make a complete recovery, but that I should not do any touring this year."

• The Who to mark 50-year anniversary with 'long goodbye'

Earlier, the band had postponed the first four gigs of the tour that was to begin this week, hoping Daltrey would be well enough to continue. But when meningitis was diagnosed, the tour was shut down.

• Tommy revival stirs emotions for Pete Townshend
• Tommy joins Shakespeare classics at Stratford

"We are rescheduling all the shows for next Spring 2016," added guitarist PeteTownshend.

"We apologize to all our fans who have supported us in the last 50 years. Once Roger is completely well we will come back stronger than ever and Roger and I will give you all a show to remember."

Affected dates in Canada include concerts in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg andToronto.