Townshend has always seemed to me to be an intellectual disguised as a working class entertainer. What a gift to have that kind of mind making music everyone listened to and still appreciates.
ua-cam.com/video/iW7JKrxbIuw/v-deo.html The whole interview is interesting, but that section and a previous response where he says that he just "works for money". IOW, your point about working class is spot on.
@Vonjela Pete always thought of himself as a rhythm player. Entwistle was the lead guitarist in The Who. Pete said many times The Ox would deliver incredible lead lines on stage but the audience would sometimes think it was something he'd done on the guitar.
Keith Moon on drums.... The Ox on bass.... Somebody reply??? History world 🌎 have changed????? Seriously???? Talking about Jimi with that 3 man band. The speakers would EXPLODE after 2 minutes.. The crowd would RIOT. Panties would cover the stage?????
It's amazing to look back from 50 years on and regardless of each of their individual strengths or weaknesses as guitar players, all 3 made amazingly unique and historic musical statements that have stood the test of time.
I quite agree. They're all among the top 100 best guitarists of the past 50 years. There were and are other guitarists who could play faster, but these people -- Jimi, Eric, Pete -- along with a fair number of others -- topped them in sheer musicality. As Pete used to say, "I just try to play clean and tasteful."
I think Pete sells himself short. What he did with the Who, you can't really compare to anyone else or anything else. Quadropehenia , Tommy, ..just amazing. Hendrix was his own thing. A beautiful player to be sure!
He was a great composer/songwriter. He was a riff guy. Iconic stuff with the same knowledge as a teenage guitarist has always impressed me. To be able to create so much great and iconic music with nothing more than basic music comprehension and tons of creativity. He made playing guitar on stage a show in itself. If those riffs are easy then make it look fuckin good while you play em. So the majority, including groupies, that don't know better or care about all these internally debated musicians critiquing, that is involuntary to most, look for the feel of music overall. And to see Pete going wild up there , windmilling the shit outta a Les Paul, knee-sliding across stage. and power rock stances that have been imitated by countless guitarists after him definitely have a place as a huge contribution right next to the rest. The equivalency isn't comparable in my book, but Townsend's writing was above and beyond, into the upper tiers, and in the genre top tier just depending on people's personal preferences. You do have to take into consideration he was spoken about by so many greats in a way that showed he was revered in a big way so he has his place up there somewhere. I believe he deserves it. Just have to know what you're appreciating which obviously isn't technical prowess. Having the talent of writing like that and being a great lead and being able to perform it alone as a guitarist is Uber rare. Can blame someone for not holding every single trait that would make most great by only being great at one. I thin he's underated because he is usually put up against other guitarist ranked by technicality. It's natural. He's one of those guys that just writes great music and happened to be the guitarist. Different category really.
Pete's honesty in admitting he couldn't let Jimi completely whip him, yet he could never hold a candle to him, is great. Spot on although Pete is one of the all-time greats in his own right.
When he said that it reminded me of this interview with Les Paul about when he came across a better player . . . ua-cam.com/video/1vKcde2ViPA/v-deo.html
@@cade9173 Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah roflmao lol lol lol lol hahahahahahahahahahah, wow that's a good one, thanks for the laugh, that was great.
Been a Jimi fan for over 50 years. The more I learn about Jimi the more intriguing and difficult it is for me to think I understand him. His guitar playing is an amazing thing and his life another amazing thing. I keep learning things about him which cause me to have to readjust my thinking even after all of this time.
@@victorbrown3570 What do you think of the version of voodoo child he played in Maui? To be honest I never understood what people meant about his genius until hearing that. Of course he always has a unique great sound but that video, especially around two to three minutes in proved to me he was doing something beyond anything else I've heard. Impossible to imagine what he would have done had he been around longer.
@@victorbrown3570 yes , it’s very strange. He wasn’t a child prodigy. He didn’t start playing until 15. Then again his playing on the chitlin circuit was plain vanilla. He sounded like most other guitar players in the early 60s. But then there was this incredible leap from 66 to 67. Then again from 68 to 70.. it’s very strange, almost magical. A buddy of his ask him “did you go to the cross roads “ because the 1st leap from 66 to 67 was so amazing….
All you haters on here comparing. Grow up! PT has never claimed to be a great lead guitar player or bigged himself up . He's a fabulous songwriter first, and a great rhythm player second. He has nothing but respect for Jimi, Eric, and Page etc as they have for him.
If you play guitar, you know how good Pete is. If you dont, then you think Henrdix and Clapton are. It wasnt the shredding, he wasnt that, but his guitar playing was exciting, power chording on 10, and his guitar parts were like compositions. He came up with some of the coolest guitar stuff ever in rock n roll. He doesnt get enough respect as guitar player
Pete's reputation was gold to me after "Slip Kid." He wrote the whole song himself and played all guitars on it except bass. Great ear for sound! That's more impressive than fret-tapping, teeth playing, bar-bending, or any showy guitar tricks.
@@drbooks you can hear Townsends excellent lead playing on the unedited Young Mans Blues from Live At Leeds.. He was pretty adept. I think he just never made guitar solos a big part of his music. But the leads he did record were always perfect for the tune.
Lol. None of these guys held a candle to Jimi. And that's just testimony to how good Jimi was! While the British players of the mid and late 60's established the bar, Jimi just went right over the top of it!
@@sotv72beano album is good, but that was nearly 60 years ago and Clapton has still never had an original thought of his own. He’s a polished version of Freddie King without the fire.
Jimi Hendrix chewed Gum; played behind his Neck, Back & between his Legs, Did Sumersaults, Played Rhythm, Lead & Sang simultaneously, plus he was Songwriter who considered Bob Dylan a Master Lyricist and studied his Compositions. Before Hendrix went Solo he played backup for Soul and R&B Acts, "Marvin Gaye, King Curtis, JackIe Wilson, James Brown, Curtis Knight, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Little Richard, BB King, Ike & Tina Turner, Sam Cooke and The Isley Brothers." One has to know Chords, Different Time signatures and Inverted Chords to Function in Soul and R&B Bands. Jimi Hendrix also jammed with alot of Jazz Musicians and jammed with Miles Davis, John Mclaughlin, Larry Young, Roland Kirk, Les Paul, Stanley Clarke. Jimi loved Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Les Paul, Eddie Durham, Joe Pass, Barney Kessel and Saxophone Players Lester Young, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Wayne Shorter, Stan Getz and Countless other Jazz Greats. Eddie Kramer said Jimi loved Classical music and drew inspiration from Handel, Bach, Mozart & Beethoven. Jimi Hendrix drew from different Genres and Fused them, he could'nt understand why Purists got mad at him for mixing it up.
I remember the first time I saw footage of the Who, My Generation, I thought it was really cool and rebellious, they smashed their instruments, rock n roll! The first time I heard Cream I thought it was an awesome sound, love the woman tone it’s really cool and heavy. The first time I saw footage of Hendrix It changed my life. Honestly, Clapton and Townshend have always been in his shadow and I think they know it. Hendrix was just the greatest. They were contemporaries but not comparators. No one compares to Hendrix, he’s in a class all his own.
True so true and they knew that they were watching greatness and they all felt blessed because he was that good they respected what was happening as it was special 👍😊
Depends on what regard we’re talking. Jimi was, in most people’s opinion, the superior guitarist. However, Pete wipes the floor with him as an overall musician. One of the greatest guitar players, one of the greatest songwriters, a good singer and an outstanding producer. I’d take one Pete over 5 Jimi’s any day.
Pete wrote Tommy at age 24 & Quadrophenia at 28. Preferred Jimi's Bold as Love to his first album, he wrote some great lyrics also. Jimi was more of a one man show, The Who is/was more than just Pete. RIP Moonie!
@@evanchristie9778 He died 12 years ago at age 62, RIP! I don't know drumming, but Mitch does receive high marks, but Jimi was always center stage. Cheers!
Pete wrote some epic albums . Quadrophenia is one of my favorites. I dreamed of seeing that performed live , and finally did in 95 I think it was . I was blown away to see that. Great venue here in Florida, at an amphitheater. Unfortunately my sister in the whole group of us took a qualude or something similar and passed out during the whole show!😳😵😴 I still remind her of missing it all .
Great. Too bad Monterey wasn't mentioned. Mutual respect but "if i follow the Who, I'm pulling out all the stops''. I think Jimi ruled that night. Whole set was fantastic.
The who's set had far more ligit emotion and classic Who spur of the moment. I think Jimi should have just been his amazing musician-ship self instead of stooping to stage theatrics which The Who clearly were the masters of at the time.
I feel like people get hung up on virtuoso playing. We're talking about Apples and Oranges. Townshend's guitar tone, particularly his experiments with feedback and distortion must've been HUGELY influential on Hendrix.
Pete was being sincere when he first saw Hendrix and felt that same original excitement like when he first saw his original guitar heroes as a teen. Whilst Clapton, Beck and Townsend were battling for supremacy in the UK, up comes a virtuoso who not only knew what was happening guitar wise in London but had already absorbed everything and threw it back at them with some upgrades.
Wow, and wow. I have so much more respect for this man now. Not because he actually fit in that triangle but because it was so honest. Very refreshing, especially in these times.
Saw the who in 89 at rfk stadium in D.C it was this epic like 6 hour show culminating with them doing baba o'riley and rogers holding the note screaming "teenage wasteland" and boom all the lights go off and they make this huge rainbow 🌈 over the stadium. Was really cool and completely mind blowing 🤯
Pete Townshend's "Bit" was as one of the greatest songwriters in rock history. "I leave a trail of rooted people Mesmerised by just the sight, The few I touch are now disciples Love as One I Am the Light..."
Pete wasn't the one of the greatest guitar players of all time, but he knew his other skills such as composing and songwriting and thanks to that we've got all this great music from the Who! They were so unique indeed and I rate them above the Stones.
These classic Artists are exactly that..gifted artists, and one is really not better than the other since their styles are completely different, and each unique. Like comparing Picasso to Rembrandt both great painters, with completely different styles to say one is better is just your preference to the type. Gilmore, Page, Hendrix, Santana, Townsend, Eddie Van Halen, and many others etc. all absolute magic, and all very different evoking unique & varied emotions. Each has an individual offering that none can duplicate. Just glad I grew up during those great decades....
Townsend is one of the "greatest living guitarist of all time"but man he is, and has always been,"So damn man hard on himself"man give yourself a break seriously, Townsend always gets down about his set at Woodstock, and I personally think it is in "the top 5,live rock n roll performances of all time" give yourself a break man because when it comes to great guitarists, you are definitely in the conversation!
@@michaelgaskell7408 It was from somebody who met with Hendrix in court in Toronto. Apparently he raved about Tommy. Still, I'm quite sure Hendrix would have said this to the media too but I can't give you any reference. Hendrix, as I am sure you know, toured with The Who. Also, Tommy was a huge hit and very popular with many people.
@@ctc1674 Pete was always honest, and not particularly flattering, about what he thought The Who was, even in the early days. I always disagreed with him.
I found throughout the years I enjoy most interviews and sound bites from Pete. He’s matter-of-fact and legit, be they more humble or more self-important proclamations.
I barely missed all the Beatles hub bub growing up, but I was old enough to get the Who. I consider myself very, very lucky as I rate them as one of the very few truly greats bands in my lifetime. Townshend wrote and rocked many songs that still hold up today. Long live rock.
Pete was probably the best at his style of "lead rhythm" as some call it, but he is nowhere near the caliber of complete guitarist as Clapton or Hendrix. The denial is strong. Clapton and Hendrix got along because they were peers.
Peter Townshend never fails to amaze me whenever I hear him speak. Not to sound cliche', but he's so freaking intelligent, and observant and articulate. It's when his personality shines through, and he's both humble and genius at the same time.
Back then it most probably did piss him off that Hendrix stole HIS amp/cabinets destroying trademark Stage Act. As Little Richard was when Hendrix started to Copy HIS flamboyant Looks & outfits. I personally like to see it more as 'Hendrix paying hommage to them'. Just as Opening his Show with his version of 'Srgt Pepper's' only 2 Days after the Beatles released the Album. With Paul McCartney, Pete Townsend, Eric Clapton and all of them IN THE CLUB watching Hendrix pulling this off!!! 😅🤣😂🤣
@@Head318Hunter Totally agree. I've got nothing against 'rock opera' per se, or any genre or notion, but apart from a few tracks, I think Quadrophenia's pretty unbearable.
@Head318Hunter Opera rock?! Quadrophenia is The Who at their absolute best. Powerhouse songs and playing--The Real Me, Love Reign O'er Me, Sea and Sand, Drowned. Doesn't get any better!
He's dead right. And to everybody here banging on about PT's ego.. he runs himself well and truly down in this interview. If you cant see that, you just aint getting it.
Some things to note.... When Jimi was first signed he was signed by Pete's managers, When he came to the UK he said I want the same Guitars Pete uses, The same amps Pete uses etc. Pete introduced him to Eric, Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, Rod Stuart, Chris Stamp etc. These are Jimi's words btw. Then he branched out and made a quick name for himself. But Pete in various interviews describes Jimi as the "Guy who will put us all out of business" or "The next genius since Beethoven". Townshend in the majority of this interview.... If you read between the lines (If Townshend knows it or not) is saying that Jimi really looked up to him for a time, and that He (Townshend) has a strange guitar style not easily identified. Although, I admit, Townshend does like to talk, And take the scene, especially in interviews as I have seen with his bandmates. But he (Despite being drunk) is not pumping his own ego. He is just rambling. which he is famous for. And rambling, for someone with his history is better than silence.
@@Martalk moreover, anybody who doesn't understand that the Who are one of the absolute cornerstones of rock music doesn't know their art. They blazed several major trails in rock, influences countless others and continued to do so for the duration of the original lineup. It's just a fact.
Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend is an English guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is co-founder, leader, guitarist, secondary lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the Who, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s. Townshend has written more than 100 songs for 12 of the Who's studio albums. Wikipedia Born: May 19, 1945 (age 76 years), Chiswick, London, United Kingdom Height: 6′ 0″ Spouse: Karen Townshend (m. 1968-2009)
Correct! Pete was very good as a young artist but nobody comes close to JH artistry, technique, style and, hence, performance. Just look at youtube for the truth of these statements. And this is a timely subject! Pete: It’s very simple. you were far, far more interested in wiggling your arse on stage for attention, or smashing things, than taking your craft seriously. May God Bless KM but he was toxic and, though he was (quite naturally) one of the top drummers of all time, he dragged you down at a time you were likely meant to be perfecting your guitar style. Let THAT be the lesson here, as mediocrity is celebrated and rewarded now more than ever. I’d rather see one JH for ten minutes than a million entertainers or their shaking boobs all night long. In other words, there is just NO comparison! Jimi will always be The Dogs Bollocks!
@@DeadManPutting Yeah, all that _distortion_ in "Little Wing", "One Rainy Wish", "The Wind Cries Mary", or the flamenco inspired part in the long solo improvisation at Woodstock... Practically death metal, innit? Gah... Hendrix and Townshend were/are two of the best rhythm players ever. Seek out any recording of Townshend solo with an acoustic guitar ("Drowned" for example) and be prepared to have your mind blown. Hendrix really never got into serious acoustic playing because he already started out playing electric in bands, but he left us enough material with tons of clean sounds that proves without any doubt that he didn't need distortion to kick everybody's ass. He rarely, if ever, got to use overdrive when he was on the Chitlin Circuit backing soul and R&B acts. His main amps for his whole career before he went to England were Fender Twin Reverbs, even in NYC with the "Blue Flames"! He practised for hours and hours unplugged, too.
@@henrygvidonas9573 so glad you said that. i always say that. anyone that says that crap hasn’t heard jimis incredible records and needs to educate themselves before they talk.
@@henrygvidonas9573 people don’t realize hendrix practically INVENTED the use of distortion on guitar as we know it today. he wasn’t the first to distort his tone but he was the first to apply it in such a creative manner. This guy has no clue what he’s talking about!
@@henrygvidonas9573 people don’t realize hendrix practically INVENTED the use of distortion on guitar as we know it today. he wasn’t the first to distort his tone but he was the first to apply it in such a creative manner. This guy has no clue what he’s talking about!
What is amazing is Pete Townshend's dead-on humility and never trying to be anything more than what he is. It must have been halucinating to have bumped elbows with people like Hendrix and Clapton and the other lords of the forbidden art of rock n' roll. All I know is that what The Who and all the great musicians and artists of those strange and glorious times did was allow people like me to go out there and try to do the same thing. I have failed miserably, but it's been the greatest part of my life being a failure.
You're not a failure. The only thing you failed to do was being lucky enough to be noticed.. These people , while talented, happened to be destined for fame. They were, for the most part, fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. There are many gifted people out there whose skill levels surpass theirs, but never achieve fame. You should never measure a person's talent by their success...
@@jdemarco What if the biggest talent is to be able to find the key to open that strange thing called luck. Just to think a little bit... But I absolutely agree, I liked a lot of artists less known that mainstream ones.
R n R greatest guitarist ever. Lead & rhythm ..live & studio. It's Pete. His writing . live shows and groundbreaking style AND BODY OF WORK IMHO and based on personal taste Pete's at the top .
I think Townshend is an often greatly underrated guitar player. His bandmates were three of the greatest on their instruments - THE greatest for many! - and his playing made each and every song better. His choices, his feel, subtle or pompous, always added to the song. That is no small feat, even for the best players! I mean how do you not get in the way when Keith and John are blazing, let alone ADD energy and creativity?! He was a full 25% of one of the greatest bands ever.
Pete Townsend is one of my foundational idols. I went from jumping around with a whiffle bat light sabre to pure rocker from the moment I saw "The Kids Are Alright" in the theater. Never looked back.
I'm not a Who fan at all. Don't think I ever put them on purposely. But just because I don't like something doesn't mean I should backlash myself into a position so absurd that it pales to those who think Townsend is one of the top five greats.
@@bennylevine387 - that’s your opinion. Decent songwriter but he’s never written anything on guitar that is difficult. I’m fine with the Who, but Pete isn’t any better than Dave Grohl.
@@Michael-bl4no Except that Pete was doing it in 1965. And whatever you think of his chops, and I may even be inclined to agree, I don't think his worth as a guitarist and what he did with sound makes it a matter of opinion, but rather a fact that he surpasses a minor leaguer. He was undoubtedly an influence on a lot of stuff that came later. So I don't see the need for hyperbole outside of you saying something like you were never moved by him and find him to be overrated as a guitarist. Why not just leave it at that? Cuz whatever minor leaguer you have in mind, I promise you Pete Townsend kicks their a--.
@@Michael-bl4no same ballpark as Dave grohl!!!!! I'm a Hendrix fanatic but also a who fanatic, do yourself a favor and watch The Kids are Alright documentary about The Who pay attention and come back and tell me Pete is in the same ballpark as Dave Grohl, love Dave's drumming for sure but he's a tame watery guitar player. Same ballpark as grohl wow that just wow man.
@@matthewwilliams7735 - Grohl is actually a good rhythm guitarist/songwriter. Unlike Pete, he doesn’t think of himself in the same talent level as Hendrix or Clapton. Sorry, but Pete is a good power chord player but he’s known more for windmills, smashing gear, and loud volume. Tommy is a rock epic, but that doesn’t mean Pete is a top-tier guitarist. What’s your favorite Townsend solo? 🤪
Don't understand why musicians, or any artists, should feel the need to compete against each other. Why not learn from and appreciate the genius of others?
Townshend went on from the late 60s a profoundly great instrumentalist and composer and producer. There's no way rock would've developed the way it did without him. He's every bit as important and Hendrix and several other big names as well. His and the Who's influence on the genre is indelible. If you don't know that, your rock history and smarts need a work over.
As an instrumentalist... perhaps only in one direction, the guitar, not that he was any kind of slouch on that either - encyclotronic.com/articles/articles/who-arp-you-pete-townshends-rock-n-roll-electronica-r25/?fbclid=IwAR30zknmlFG8YhpxAdi_ysHaJWaN9sZBDmj-RjuQ5_jkd9GnOlcm3Fd8iMo
Pete was a writer and a poet.. much, much harder. Not one of his peers from that time could ever dream of writing Tommy or Quadrophenia let alone actually write it..
Pete’s genius is the equal of Jimi’s genius, but very different artists obviously...Jimi and Eric had more in common musically, The Who was a whole other thing. Eric’s playing has always been phenomenal, but Jimi was otherworldly and a superior songwriter to Clapton. My opinion of course, others will beg to differ.
@@AnthonyJstark-vz4so I know the whole story about how they met up after seeing Hendrix for the first time. The other two were/are great players/musicians/songwriters obviously, the whole world is wrong and your opinion is the only one that matters...ok dude 🙄 I’m sure Jimi would tell you how much he loved Pete and Eric if he was still here...music isn’t a competition, get over it.
Possibly the only honest confrontation of Jimi that I've heard. All the guitarists of the day felt this way. But Pete's the only one to admit it. They all loved Jimi. And they all feared him.
Artists don't 'do' fashion, because to do fashion is to follow. And if you're following, you're not really expressing yourself. For this reason, he wasn't possibly auditioning for the Bay City Rollers. I would have loved to see him perform live with them though, twirling his guitar, while he casually murdered the tune and vibe, of 'Bye Bye Baby'.
Rory very consistently good recorded output, the full package ,composer, original lead style, GREAT vocalist, totally underrated. Alvin Lee was up there too, Woodstock era anyway('69-71)
The thing about Clapton, Townshend, Hendrix and a few others (eg: Knopfler) is you can tell immediately that it’s them. So many other guitarists sound the same. Talented, but the same.
@@brucerabideau2872 Totally agree! I read somewhere that at Electric Ladyland studios Jimi recorded a particular solo over 80 times trying to "get it right." The engineer remarked that each take was perfection. Yet Jimi heard the flaw in every one. Still, you can't mistake his sound.
All things considered, what a time to be alive. Music was transitioning all the bands around at that time made the others strive to be better. Thanks all for the library of music
I think what Pete is having trouble acknowledging is that he just wasn't the lead guitarist that Eric and Jimi were. In fact, there's that famous story about Jimi and Pete almost coming to blows at Monterey Pop because neither one wanted to go on after the other. (me thinks that was just a bit of show biz rhetoric) A very humble Pete said something like, "Jimi was doing summersaults and playing with his teeth, and I was just strumming chords."
Comparing Pete Townsend and Jimi Hendrix is pretty pointless. Very different players. Jimi, everyone knows what he did for rock guitar. Pete is possibly the finest rhythm guitarist ever, and that's unfortunately very underrated in rock music.
Hilarious that Pete thinks he’s a better player than Clapton and that Hendrix couldn’t “figure him out” No one ever said “did you hear that amazing Pete Townsend guitar solo?”
I never saw Jimi live because I was with three young women at Woodstock and they all got tired of the scene (you know- no food,no restrooms, all mud, etc.) and we all left just before Joe Cocker performed on Sunday afternoon, but I saw The Who several times and loved their show.
For Townsend to say anything at all favorable towards any guitarist of his era during said era alive or dead is almost unbelievable. Hendrix is the only one I know of him ever complementing.
The so-called British Invasion was possible in large part because British bands could make a good impression with their version of black music, which was largely ignored in the States. Before that time, jazz musicians like Miles Davis had to go to Europe first to be fully appreciated. It is very questionable whether Hendrix would have made a name for himself if Chas Chandler had not brought him to London.
Sounds in the background like they're taking out Keith Moon's empties.
Lol
Pete and Kieth's brandy bottles.
LOL
ur a phunny guy philip
Empty glass(es)? ;)
I will never stop listening to the Who or Pete's solo albums. They are such an important part of my life, for more than 40 years now.
Bravo - me too.
Cool😎. And Ur appreciation
4 Jimi?
🕊️❤️😎
Townshend has always seemed to me to be an intellectual disguised as a working class entertainer. What a gift to have that kind of mind making music everyone listened to and still appreciates.
ua-cam.com/video/iW7JKrxbIuw/v-deo.html
The whole interview is interesting, but that section and a previous response where he says that he just "works for money". IOW, your point about working class is spot on.
@Vonjela Pete always thought of himself as a rhythm player. Entwistle was the lead guitarist in The Who. Pete said many times The Ox would deliver incredible lead lines on stage but the audience would sometimes think it was something he'd done on the guitar.
@Vonjela thats the sad man behind blue eyes
@Vonjela he’s better than both
@@cade9173 As a writer definitely .
Jimi was such a burst of creation that every other musician was looking to be inspired.
Keith Moon on drums.... The Ox on bass.... Somebody reply??? History world 🌎 have changed?????
Seriously????
Talking about Jimi with that 3 man band.
The speakers would EXPLODE after 2 minutes..
The crowd would RIOT.
Panties would cover the stage?????
It's amazing to look back from 50 years on and regardless of each of their individual strengths or weaknesses as guitar players, all 3 made amazingly unique and historic musical statements that have stood the test of time.
Except Eric Clapton is boring
So many puppies these days.
I quite agree. They're all among the top 100 best guitarists of the past 50 years. There were and are other guitarists who could play faster, but these people -- Jimi, Eric, Pete -- along with a fair number of others -- topped them in sheer musicality. As Pete used to say, "I just try to play clean and tasteful."
So true
49 years. 48 when you wrote that.
I think Pete sells himself short. What he did with the Who, you can't really compare to anyone else or anything else. Quadropehenia , Tommy, ..just amazing. Hendrix was his own thing. A beautiful player to be sure!
He was a great composer/songwriter. He was a riff guy. Iconic stuff with the same knowledge as a teenage guitarist has always impressed me. To be able to create so much great and iconic music with nothing more than basic music comprehension and tons of creativity. He made playing guitar on stage a show in itself. If those riffs are easy then make it look fuckin good while you play em. So the majority, including groupies, that don't know better or care about all these internally debated musicians critiquing, that is involuntary to most, look for the feel of music overall. And to see Pete going wild up there , windmilling the shit outta a Les Paul, knee-sliding across stage. and power rock stances that have been imitated by countless guitarists after him definitely have a place as a huge contribution right next to the rest. The equivalency isn't comparable in my book, but Townsend's writing was above and beyond, into the upper tiers, and in the genre top tier just depending on people's personal preferences. You do have to take into consideration he was spoken about by so many greats in a way that showed he was revered in a big way so he has his place up there somewhere. I believe he deserves it. Just have to know what you're appreciating which obviously isn't technical prowess. Having the talent of writing like that and being a great lead and being able to perform it alone as a guitarist is Uber rare. Can blame someone for not holding every single trait that would make most great by only being great at one. I thin he's underated because he is usually put up against other guitarist ranked by technicality. It's natural. He's one of those guys that just writes great music and happened to be the guitarist. Different category really.
He was getting bent over by Jimi
Pete's honesty in admitting he couldn't let Jimi completely whip him, yet he could never hold a candle to him, is great. Spot on although Pete is one of the all-time greats in his own right.
Pete is honestly better
@@cade9173 lol
When he said that it reminded me of this interview with Les Paul about when he came across a better player . . . ua-cam.com/video/1vKcde2ViPA/v-deo.html
@@cade9173 Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah roflmao lol lol lol lol hahahahahahahahahahah, wow that's a good one, thanks for the laugh, that was great.
@@cade9173 Delusional.
Townshend was never a lead player per se, his style is much more textural & no worse for that. Townshend brought his own game.
Jimi said nice things about everyone....
I don't think anyone's been able to pin-hole Jimi - he was and still is an utterly unique entity.
Agreed. Jimi seems so humble, almost shy, in interviews yet his talent was bloody phenomenal
Been a Jimi fan for over 50 years. The more I learn about Jimi the more intriguing and difficult it is for me to think I understand him. His guitar playing is an amazing thing and his life another amazing thing. I keep learning things about him which cause me to have to readjust my thinking even after all of this time.
Jimi was innovative.
@@victorbrown3570 What do you think of the version of voodoo child he played in Maui? To be honest I never understood what people meant about his genius until hearing that. Of course he always has a unique great sound but that video, especially around two to three minutes in proved to me he was doing something beyond anything else I've heard. Impossible to imagine what he would have done had he been around longer.
@@victorbrown3570 yes , it’s very strange. He wasn’t a child prodigy. He didn’t start playing until 15. Then again his playing on the chitlin circuit was plain vanilla. He sounded like most other guitar players in the early 60s. But then there was this incredible leap from 66 to 67. Then again from 68 to 70.. it’s very strange, almost magical. A buddy of his ask him “did you go to the cross roads “ because the 1st leap from 66 to 67 was so amazing….
All you haters on here comparing. Grow up! PT has never claimed to be a great lead guitar player or bigged himself up . He's a fabulous songwriter first, and a great rhythm player second. He has nothing but respect for Jimi, Eric, and Page etc as they have for him.
Yes, Pete never seemed like a "lead guitarist" to me but his rhythm playing and song writing are impeccable.
If you play guitar, you know how good Pete is. If you dont, then you think Henrdix and Clapton are. It wasnt the shredding, he wasnt that, but his guitar playing was exciting, power chording on 10, and his guitar parts were like compositions. He came up with some of the coolest guitar stuff ever in rock n roll. He doesnt get enough respect as guitar player
Pete's reputation was gold to me after "Slip Kid." He wrote the whole song himself and played all guitars on it except bass. Great ear for sound! That's more impressive than fret-tapping, teeth playing, bar-bending, or any showy guitar tricks.
In all Pete’s talents as songwriter, arranger, producer, I’d say guitarist comes in 4th. I’m a huge fan of PT - those are the things I admire the most
@@drbooks you can hear Townsends excellent lead playing on the unedited Young Mans Blues from Live At Leeds.. He was pretty adept. I think he just never made guitar solos a big part of his music. But the leads he did record were always perfect for the tune.
Pete was never a blues musician and should not be considered to be in the same league as Clapton, Hendrix and Peter Green, couse he wasn't
Lol. None of these guys held a candle to Jimi. And that's just testimony to how good Jimi was! While the British players of the mid and late 60's established the bar, Jimi just went right over the top of it!
Interesting to see him analysing that period so shortly afterwards.
Back when things used to happen. Now 10 years changes nothing.
A very articulate and thoughtful young man back then,very insightful words from the great Pete Townsend 🎸👍👍
Townshend is as good as Hendrix but in a different way. Clapton is a boring nuisance.
Utter garbage, listen to the beano album, ridiculous statement
@@sotv72 I'd rather listen to paint drying tbh.
@@sotv72beano album is good, but that was nearly 60 years ago and Clapton has still never had an original thought of his own. He’s a polished version of Freddie King without the fire.
Pete Townsend doesn't get enough credit I think
Jimi Hendrix chewed Gum; played behind his Neck, Back & between his Legs, Did Sumersaults, Played Rhythm, Lead & Sang simultaneously, plus he was Songwriter who considered Bob Dylan a Master Lyricist and studied his Compositions. Before Hendrix went Solo he played backup for Soul and R&B Acts, "Marvin Gaye, King Curtis, JackIe Wilson, James Brown, Curtis Knight, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Little Richard, BB King, Ike & Tina Turner, Sam Cooke and The Isley Brothers." One has to know Chords, Different Time signatures and Inverted Chords to Function in Soul and R&B Bands. Jimi Hendrix also jammed with alot of Jazz Musicians and jammed with Miles Davis, John Mclaughlin, Larry Young, Roland Kirk, Les Paul, Stanley Clarke. Jimi loved Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Les Paul, Eddie Durham, Joe Pass, Barney Kessel and Saxophone Players Lester Young, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Wayne Shorter, Stan Getz and Countless other Jazz Greats. Eddie Kramer said Jimi loved Classical music and drew inspiration from Handel, Bach, Mozart & Beethoven. Jimi Hendrix drew from different Genres and Fused them, he could'nt understand why Purists got mad at him for mixing it up.
Jimi also played with the NYC trash rock band DONALD TRUMP & HIS MAGAERS,
but quit that band after Jan-6.
I remember the first time I saw footage of the Who, My Generation, I thought it was really cool and rebellious, they smashed their instruments, rock n roll!
The first time I heard Cream I thought it was an awesome sound, love the woman tone it’s really cool and heavy.
The first time I saw footage of Hendrix It changed my life.
Honestly, Clapton and Townshend have always been in his shadow and I think they know it. Hendrix was just the greatest. They were contemporaries but not comparators. No one compares to Hendrix, he’s in a class all his own.
amen
True so true and they knew that they were watching greatness and they all felt blessed because he was that good they respected what was happening as it was special 👍😊
You couldn't of said that any better my friend 🤘😁
Very well said sir....
Depends on what regard we’re talking. Jimi was, in most people’s opinion, the superior guitarist. However, Pete wipes the floor with him as an overall musician. One of the greatest guitar players, one of the greatest songwriters, a good singer and an outstanding producer. I’d take one Pete over 5 Jimi’s any day.
Pete wrote Tommy at age 24 & Quadrophenia at 28. Preferred Jimi's Bold as Love to his first album, he wrote some great lyrics also. Jimi was more of a one man show, The Who is/was more than just Pete. RIP Moonie!
Mitch Mitchell aint no slouch
@@evanchristie9778 He died 12 years ago at age 62, RIP! I don't know drumming, but Mitch does receive high marks, but Jimi was always center stage. Cheers!
I loved Keith Moon, Too bad he was so self destructive (Entwhistle too and so many others of that era.
Really nice candid interview - Pete shows a lot of self-awareness here. Also kudos to a genuinely classy comments section!
Thanks....
Well said
In all fairness, any rock musician of that era showing an ounce of self awareness or ability to articulate clearly is held to be a genius.
Pete wrote some epic albums . Quadrophenia is one of my favorites.
I dreamed of seeing that performed live , and finally did in 95 I think it was . I was blown away to see that. Great venue here in Florida, at an amphitheater. Unfortunately my sister in the whole group of us took a qualude or something similar and passed out during the whole show!😳😵😴 I still remind her of missing it all .
Great. Too bad Monterey wasn't mentioned.
Mutual respect but "if i follow the Who, I'm pulling out all the stops''.
I think Jimi ruled that night. Whole set was fantastic.
The who's set had far more ligit emotion and classic Who spur of the moment. I think Jimi should have just been his amazing musician-ship self instead of stooping to stage theatrics which The Who clearly were the masters of at the time.
sounds like the crew is cleaning up after keith
I feel like people get hung up on virtuoso playing. We're talking about Apples and Oranges. Townshend's guitar tone, particularly his experiments with feedback and distortion must've been HUGELY influential on Hendrix.
Jimi was into Syd Barrets playing as well and considered him a peer in experimental guitar.
Pete was being sincere when he first saw Hendrix and felt that same original excitement like when he first saw his original guitar heroes as a teen. Whilst Clapton, Beck and Townsend were battling for supremacy in the UK, up comes a virtuoso who not only knew what was happening guitar wise in London but had already absorbed everything and threw it back at them with some upgrades.
Wow, and wow. I have so much more respect for this man now. Not because he actually fit in that triangle but because it was so honest. Very refreshing, especially in these times.
He borrowed the blazer from Judge Smails
Excellent Caddyshack reference my friend....
He's probably also got the kind of hat you get a free bowl of soup with. 😉
Pete, in full flight, esp on Live at Leeds, you, sir, gave not a single inch to ANYONE! Legendary guitarist and above all a master songwriter.
Seeing Pete’s injured right hand makes me wonder how his windmill hand survived. 🔊💨
Sounds like Keith Moon in the background.
Saw the who in 89 at rfk stadium in D.C it was this epic like 6 hour show culminating with them doing baba o'riley and rogers holding the note screaming "teenage wasteland" and boom all the lights go off and they make this huge rainbow 🌈 over the stadium. Was really cool and completely mind blowing 🤯
The Who in 1989? Townshend called it "The Who On Ice".
In a roundabout way I think Pete was admitting Jimi was on a completely different level to him and any other guitarists.
no he wasnt haha
Pete Townshend's "Bit" was as one of the greatest songwriters in rock history.
"I leave a trail of rooted people
Mesmerised by just the sight,
The few I touch are now disciples
Love as One I Am the Light..."
If Elvis was the King and Chuck Berry was the Father of Rock and Roll, Pete Townsend was the perfect Son.
😆👍
He was a sensation. Self described irony there!
😝🤣 ❤️Tell it my brother!
So many intelligent comments coming from the Pete Townshend fans. 🤔
🎸 ✍️
Pete and The Who were unique, no one sounded or looked like them-great showmen and some great, original songs and instrumentals that will endure.
Saw them in 67, up front, just 18 feet away ~~
And all good looking in their own way.
Pete wasn't the one of the greatest guitar players of all time, but he knew his other skills such as composing and songwriting and thanks to that we've got all this great music from the Who! They were so unique indeed and I rate them above the Stones.
See me, Feel me, Touch me, Heal me. Daltrey sang it over and over again and stirred up the crowd like Bob Marley used to RIP BM.
@@tonymiller6847 And he does it so whogasmically
These classic Artists are exactly that..gifted artists, and one is really not better than the other since their styles are completely different, and each unique. Like comparing Picasso to Rembrandt both great painters, with completely different styles to say one is better is just your preference to the type. Gilmore, Page, Hendrix, Santana, Townsend, Eddie Van Halen, and many others etc. all absolute magic, and all very different evoking unique & varied emotions. Each has an individual offering that none can duplicate. Just glad I grew up during those great decades....
I watched this slapped together Jimi documentary so many times growing up so seeing these additional interviews are really cool, thank you!
Townsend is one of the "greatest living guitarist of all time"but man he is, and has always been,"So damn man hard on himself"man give yourself a break seriously, Townsend always gets down about his set at Woodstock, and I personally think it is in "the top 5,live rock n roll performances of all time" give yourself a break man because when it comes to great guitarists, you are definitely in the conversation!
Bar back is working his ass off...
Listening to the racket I thought they were in a recycling center until the camera pulled back.
I've heard less clanging from trolleys...
Probably cleaning up after Keith's partying..
Townshend was also a genius. Hendrix simply loved the album Tommy.
Where did you hear,or read,that Hendrix loved the album Tommy!!?
@@michaelgaskell7408 It was from somebody who met with Hendrix in court in Toronto. Apparently he raved about Tommy. Still, I'm quite sure Hendrix would have said this to the media too but I can't give you any reference. Hendrix, as I am sure you know, toured with The Who. Also, Tommy was a huge hit and very popular with many people.
Such an honest appraisal of his differences and also his likeness to Hendrix.
And and that age. Ya know? not in hindsight.
Pretty neat to see.
@@ctc1674 Pete was always honest, and not particularly flattering, about what he thought The Who was, even in the early days. I always disagreed with him.
Jimi was a Genius yes, but Pete was a much better songwriter composer Imo.
I found throughout the years I enjoy most interviews and sound bites from Pete. He’s matter-of-fact and legit, be they more humble or more self-important proclamations.
I love Pete...but he's nuts. Not at all on the same level
amen
I barely missed all the Beatles hub bub growing up, but I was old enough to get the Who. I consider myself very, very lucky as I rate them as one of the very few truly greats bands in my lifetime. Townshend wrote and rocked many songs that still hold up today.
Long live rock.
pete townsend gives one of the most interesting interviews in my opinion.
Pete always said Entwistle was the lead string in the band. Pete just strummed the J200
Pete was probably the best at his style of "lead rhythm" as some call it, but he is nowhere near the caliber of complete guitarist as Clapton or Hendrix. The denial is strong. Clapton and Hendrix got along because they were peers.
He's a damn sight better songwriter to be sure.
And Townsend's best is equal to anyone's.
If Clapton and Hendrix got a along it was because Clapton hid his extreme racist views.
@@hereandthere4763 I think Eric's talent is so great, Jimi might have overlooked that.
"Be kind, be real, or get the fuck out of my face" - Pete Townshend
I'm sorry but Hendrix was on a different planet all together, he was just a different breed of cat
Peter Townshend never fails to amaze me whenever I hear him speak. Not to sound cliche', but he's so freaking intelligent, and observant and articulate. It's when his personality shines through, and he's both humble and genius at the same time.
Just don't check his hard drive or web history....
@@madaickiwon292 He fessed up and copped to it and aided the investigation. Were you one of those arrested as a result?
@@madaickiwon292 casting the first stone
@@madaickiwon292Well idiot the police did and found nothing
Back then it most probably did piss him off that Hendrix stole HIS amp/cabinets destroying trademark Stage Act. As Little Richard was when Hendrix started to Copy HIS flamboyant Looks & outfits. I personally like to see it more as 'Hendrix paying hommage to them'. Just as Opening his Show with his version of 'Srgt Pepper's' only 2 Days after the Beatles released the Album. With Paul McCartney, Pete Townsend, Eric Clapton and all of them IN THE CLUB watching Hendrix pulling this off!!! 😅🤣😂🤣
Quadrophenia is one of the greatest works of all time. A masterpiece. How about that on your resume'.
Opera rock ?? I'll pass
Have no doubt about it pal👍✌️👊
@@Head318Hunter Totally agree. I've got nothing against 'rock opera' per se, or any genre or notion, but apart from a few tracks, I think Quadrophenia's pretty unbearable.
@Head318Hunter Opera rock?! Quadrophenia is The Who at their absolute best. Powerhouse songs and playing--The Real Me, Love Reign O'er Me, Sea and Sand, Drowned. Doesn't get any better!
@@blackmore4Sad world you live in. Quadrophenia is perfection on all levels!
Pete you’re responsible for some of my most treasured sentimental musical favourites not least of all quadrophenia 👌
He's dead right. And to everybody here banging on about PT's ego.. he runs himself well and truly down in this interview. If you cant see that, you just aint getting it.
he wrote quadrophenia - and that is a great thing on the resume
@@greensombrero3641 and the rest of their repertoire...
Some things to note.... When Jimi was first signed he was signed by Pete's managers, When he came to the UK he said I want the same Guitars Pete uses, The same amps Pete uses etc. Pete introduced him to Eric, Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, Rod Stuart, Chris Stamp etc. These are Jimi's words btw.
Then he branched out and made a quick name for himself. But Pete in various interviews describes Jimi as the "Guy who will put us all out of business" or "The next genius since Beethoven".
Townshend in the majority of this interview.... If you read between the lines (If Townshend knows it or not) is saying that Jimi really looked up to him for a time, and that He (Townshend) has a strange guitar style not easily identified.
Although, I admit, Townshend does like to talk, And take the scene, especially in interviews as I have seen with his bandmates.
But he (Despite being drunk) is not pumping his own ego. He is just rambling. which he is famous for. And rambling, for someone with his history is better than silence.
@@Martalk moreover, anybody who doesn't understand that the Who are one of the absolute cornerstones of rock music doesn't know their art. They blazed several major trails in rock, influences countless others and continued to do so for the duration of the original lineup. It's just a fact.
Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend is an English guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is co-founder, leader, guitarist, secondary lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the Who, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s. Townshend has written more than 100 songs for 12 of the Who's studio albums. Wikipedia
Born: May 19, 1945 (age 76 years), Chiswick, London, United Kingdom
Height: 6′ 0″
Spouse: Karen Townshend (m. 1968-2009)
Correct! Pete was very good as a young artist but nobody comes close to JH artistry, technique, style and, hence, performance. Just look at youtube for the truth of these statements. And this is a timely subject!
Pete: It’s very simple. you were far, far more interested in wiggling your arse on stage for attention, or smashing things, than taking your craft seriously. May God Bless KM but he was toxic and, though he was (quite naturally) one of the top drummers of all time, he dragged you down at a time you were likely meant to be perfecting your guitar style. Let THAT be the lesson here, as mediocrity is celebrated and rewarded now more than ever. I’d rather see one JH for ten minutes than a million entertainers or their shaking boobs all night long.
In other words, there is just NO comparison! Jimi will always be The Dogs Bollocks!
TownsHend ! Interesting clip.
Jimi Hendrix did figure out Pete Townsend. TOO easy, not even close...😮😮😮
Townshend was offcourse never on Jimmy's level technically, but that doesn't change the fact he is one of the best songwriters in rock history
Pluease Jimi used lots of distortion
@@DeadManPutting Yeah, all that _distortion_ in "Little Wing", "One Rainy Wish", "The Wind Cries Mary", or the flamenco inspired part in the long solo improvisation at Woodstock... Practically death metal, innit? Gah...
Hendrix and Townshend were/are two of the best rhythm players ever. Seek out any recording of Townshend solo with an acoustic guitar ("Drowned" for example) and be prepared to have your mind blown. Hendrix really never got into serious acoustic playing because he already started out playing electric in bands, but he left us enough material with tons of clean sounds that proves without any doubt that he didn't need distortion to kick everybody's ass.
He rarely, if ever, got to use overdrive when he was on the Chitlin Circuit backing soul and R&B acts. His main amps for his whole career before he went to England were Fender Twin Reverbs, even in NYC with the "Blue Flames"! He practised for hours and hours unplugged, too.
@@henrygvidonas9573 so glad you said that. i always say that. anyone that says that crap hasn’t heard jimis incredible records and needs to educate themselves before they talk.
@@henrygvidonas9573 people don’t realize hendrix practically INVENTED the use of distortion on guitar as we know it today. he wasn’t the first to distort his tone but he was the first to apply it in such a creative manner. This guy has no clue what he’s talking about!
@@henrygvidonas9573 people don’t realize hendrix practically INVENTED the use of distortion on guitar as we know it today. he wasn’t the first to distort his tone but he was the first to apply it in such a creative manner. This guy has no clue what he’s talking about!
What is amazing is Pete Townshend's dead-on humility and never trying to be anything more than what he is. It must have been halucinating to have bumped elbows with people like Hendrix and Clapton and the other lords of the forbidden art of rock n' roll. All I know is that what The Who and all the great musicians and artists of those strange and glorious times did was allow people like me to go out there and try to do the same thing. I have failed miserably, but it's been the greatest part of my life being a failure.
I agree. Straight up
You're not a failure. The only thing you failed to do was being lucky enough to be noticed.. These people , while talented, happened to be destined for fame. They were, for the most part, fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. There are many gifted people out there whose skill levels surpass theirs, but never achieve fame. You should never measure a person's talent by their success...
@@jdemarco spot on !
Not sure he was being humble. He straight says that Jimi had an edge on Clapton but not on him.
@@jdemarco What if the biggest talent is to be able to find the key to open that strange thing called luck. Just to think a little bit... But I absolutely agree, I liked a lot of artists less known that mainstream ones.
I just got the Pete’s autograph, took 40 years of wanting. Ty Pete bout time mate
Pete Townsend… always sour grapes and ego.
R n R greatest guitarist ever. Lead & rhythm ..live & studio. It's Pete. His writing . live shows and groundbreaking style AND BODY OF WORK IMHO and based on personal taste Pete's at the top .
His guitar work was masterful.
Townsend rockin' the Amish Gypsy look....lol
He's an air conditioned gypsy
The periwinkle blue caravan is just outside..
Hate to break this to you, but it's TOWNSHEND.
@@sralyn I'm getting spelling tips from someone who can't seem to spell their own name🤣
@@sralyn Thank God for the grammar police…
I think Townshend is an often greatly underrated guitar player. His bandmates were three of the greatest on their instruments - THE greatest for many! - and his playing made each and every song better. His choices, his feel, subtle or pompous, always added to the song. That is no small feat, even for the best players! I mean how do you not get in the way when Keith and John are blazing, let alone ADD energy and creativity?! He was a full 25% of one of the greatest bands ever.
He is an excellent acoustic player of course
i think he's just being humble
@@Skammee As well as electric.
Pete Townsend is one of my foundational idols. I went from jumping around with a whiffle bat light sabre to pure rocker from the moment I saw "The Kids Are Alright" in the theater. Never looked back.
Pete isn’t even in the same ballpark as Hendrix. He’s a minor leaguer at best. His guitar work never really impressed much.
I'm not a Who fan at all. Don't think I ever put them on purposely. But just because I don't like something doesn't mean I should backlash myself into a position so absurd that it pales to those who think Townsend is one of the top five greats.
@@bennylevine387 - that’s your opinion. Decent songwriter but he’s never written anything on guitar that is difficult. I’m fine with the Who, but Pete isn’t any better than Dave Grohl.
@@Michael-bl4no Except that Pete was doing it in 1965. And whatever you think of his chops, and I may even be inclined to agree, I don't think his worth as a guitarist and what he did with sound makes it a matter of opinion, but rather a fact that he surpasses a minor leaguer. He was undoubtedly an influence on a lot of stuff that came later. So I don't see the need for hyperbole outside of you saying something like you were never moved by him and find him to be overrated as a guitarist. Why not just leave it at that? Cuz whatever minor leaguer you have in mind, I promise you Pete Townsend kicks their a--.
@@Michael-bl4no same ballpark as Dave grohl!!!!! I'm a Hendrix fanatic but also a who fanatic, do yourself a favor and watch The Kids are Alright documentary about The Who pay attention and come back and tell me Pete is in the same ballpark as Dave Grohl, love Dave's drumming for sure but he's a tame watery guitar player. Same ballpark as grohl wow that just wow man.
@@matthewwilliams7735 - Grohl is actually a good rhythm guitarist/songwriter. Unlike Pete, he doesn’t think of himself in the same talent level as Hendrix or Clapton. Sorry, but Pete is a good power chord player but he’s known more for windmills, smashing gear, and loud volume. Tommy is a rock epic, but that doesn’t mean Pete is a top-tier guitarist. What’s your favorite Townsend solo? 🤪
Don't understand why musicians, or any artists, should feel the need to compete against each other. Why not learn from and appreciate the genius of others?
Pete was Jimi's rival as a showman, a mod; obviously not as an instrumentalist.
He bashed his guitar like a child, Jimi did it like a sorcerer!!
@@Bellabaddi Pete and The Who are a million miles better musically, song writing and stage presents!! Grow up!!
@@kevinstimelsky673 sit back in ur rocker gramps
Townshend went on from the late 60s a profoundly great instrumentalist and composer and producer. There's no way rock would've developed the way it did without him. He's every bit as important and Hendrix and several other big names as well. His and the Who's influence on the genre is indelible. If you don't know that, your rock history and smarts need a work over.
As an instrumentalist... perhaps only in one direction, the guitar, not that he was any kind of slouch on that either - encyclotronic.com/articles/articles/who-arp-you-pete-townshends-rock-n-roll-electronica-r25/?fbclid=IwAR30zknmlFG8YhpxAdi_ysHaJWaN9sZBDmj-RjuQ5_jkd9GnOlcm3Fd8iMo
Pete was a writer and a poet.. much, much harder.
Not one of his peers from that time could ever dream of writing Tommy or Quadrophenia let alone actually write it..
Pete’s genius is the equal of Jimi’s genius, but very different artists obviously...Jimi and Eric had more in common musically, The Who was a whole other thing. Eric’s playing has always been phenomenal, but Jimi was otherworldly and a superior songwriter to Clapton. My opinion of course, others will beg to differ.
Townsend blows.. and eric is overrated pentatonic user....Hendrix is better than both in all levels..
@@AnthonyJstark-vz4so Yeah, like I said everyone has their own opinion...I certainly don’t share yours.
@@sixbladeknife44 it's not an opinion it's a fact.. hendrix was the real deal. When Townsend and eric saw hendrix live they both shit their pants😆
@@AnthonyJstark-vz4so I know the whole story about how they met up after seeing Hendrix for the first time. The other two were/are great players/musicians/songwriters obviously, the whole world is wrong and your opinion is the only one that matters...ok dude 🙄 I’m sure Jimi would tell you how much he loved Pete and Eric if he was still here...music isn’t a competition, get over it.
@@sixbladeknife44 please. nothing special about Townsend and Clapton..they made their careers by ripping of the blues players before them😆
JIMI WAS GREAT… BUT IN NO WAY WAS HE AMYWHERE NEAR PETE AT SONGWRITING OR RIFF PLAYING
Pete was the great songwriter...loved Jimi...but I'm a who fan forever!!
With all due respect, I agree with Pete, I don’t see where he fits in with JImmy or Eric
Remarquable comments... very good info on perception over time
Can you make a bit more noise.. People can almost hear what we are saying... 🤔😀
You can tell Pete learned a lot from his musician/entertainer father, Cliff...
Possibly the only honest confrontation of Jimi that I've heard.
All the guitarists of the day felt this way. But Pete's the only one to admit it.
They all loved Jimi. And they all feared him.
Pete auditioning for the Bay City Rollers here.
Noted, but still my favourite guitarist
FUNNY!
Or as a cowboy
@@tasosdiaforetico7377 Maybe a used car salesman in Reno
Artists don't 'do' fashion, because to do fashion is to follow. And if you're following, you're not really expressing yourself. For this reason, he wasn't possibly auditioning for the Bay City Rollers. I would have loved to see him perform live with them though, twirling his guitar, while he casually murdered the tune and vibe, of 'Bye Bye Baby'.
Mega clean up bottles sounds in the background....
Lots of people banging on about the greatest guitarists it's all personal taste , I think Rory Gallagher is up there.
Rory very consistently good recorded output, the full package ,composer, original lead style, GREAT vocalist, totally underrated.
Alvin Lee was up there too, Woodstock era anyway('69-71)
Robin Ford!
@@glenndrexler1677 miles Davis 1986 Montreux concert
Page, Feliciano, many others too, but I saw Gallagher live and he was awesome too.
@@ddullaway I never knew Miles Davis played guitar at a 1986 concert in Montreux ;)
He's playing down his level here as master songwriter. Jimi would have known that.
The thing about Clapton, Townshend, Hendrix and a few others (eg: Knopfler) is you can tell immediately that it’s them. So many other guitarists sound the same. Talented, but the same.
Fripp, too.
Terry Kath maybe too?
@@tonymiller6847 sad ending to Tony’s life.
Jimi never sounds the same he would play the same song twice in one show and it would be completely different every time ✌🏻🐄🎸👽
@@brucerabideau2872 Totally agree! I read somewhere that at Electric Ladyland studios Jimi recorded a particular solo over 80 times trying to "get it right." The engineer remarked that each take was perfection. Yet Jimi heard the flaw in every one. Still, you can't mistake his sound.
None of them were any where near Hendrix and they all recognized that early on !!
All things considered, what a time to be alive. Music was transitioning all the bands around at that time made the others strive to be better. Thanks all for the library of music
Right On!
Yes, and that was quickly put an end to because,we can’t have anymore of that!
just plays chords
wow. Pete was honest, brilliant. love him
I think what Pete is having trouble acknowledging is that he just wasn't the lead guitarist that Eric and Jimi were. In fact, there's that famous story about Jimi and Pete almost coming to blows at Monterey Pop because neither one wanted to go on after the other. (me thinks that was just a bit of show biz rhetoric) A very humble Pete said something like, "Jimi was doing summersaults and playing with his teeth, and I was just strumming chords."
Yeah, nowhere near Jimi or Clapton… Clapton knew it too
Comparing Pete Townsend and Jimi Hendrix is pretty pointless. Very different players.
Jimi, everyone knows what he did for rock guitar.
Pete is possibly the finest rhythm guitarist ever, and that's unfortunately very underrated in rock music.
Pete was the worst musician and second-best vocalist in The Who. That's how great they were.
Hilarious that Pete thinks he’s a better player than Clapton and that Hendrix couldn’t “figure him out” No one ever said “did you hear that amazing Pete Townsend guitar solo?”
Maybe not. But it's certainly always "did you hear that Pete Townsend SONG? "
Where in the interview or indeed at any time in history does he say he is "better" than others? I can't figure you out...
in reality, creating/performing music is not a competition. cheers to all the unsung players out there, love from italy, robert
It's the most best fun ever.
Holy Trinity of guitar players are Hendrix, Jimmy Paige, SRV
Wow Pete. That jacket's louder than your Hi-watt....
He mugged a homeless person for that.. 😂
my jacket is really jumping to the hiwatt amps until the 20th cymbal fell
I never saw Jimi live because I was with three young women at Woodstock and they all got tired of the scene (you know- no food,no restrooms, all mud, etc.) and we all left just before Joe Cocker performed on Sunday afternoon, but I saw The Who several times and loved their show.
For Townsend to say anything at all favorable towards any guitarist of his era during said era alive or dead is almost unbelievable. Hendrix is the only one I know of him ever complementing.
Because Pete and Eric both experienced a thing the world did Jimi. The world still recovering and probably never will ✌🏻🐄🎸🍻🦫🕵🏻♂️🔝🌏☮️👽💊💉♋️🎈🎏🌋🛸🐄✌🏻
At least he is honest.
amazing how modestly Pete speaks of himself, considering he's one of the all time rock greats
Pete's got nothing to apologize for. The WHO had some amazing albums. The sum is greater than the parts sometimes.
I loved all three for different reasons
The best reply on the thread.
The so-called British Invasion was possible in large part because British bands could make a good impression with their version of black music, which was largely ignored in the States. Before that time, jazz musicians like Miles Davis had to go to Europe first to be fully appreciated. It is very questionable whether Hendrix would have made a name for himself if Chas Chandler had not brought him to London.