This man's music has meant more to me than any other composer's in the world. His music has always been the right fit for me. It always hits right on the nerve of my own personal issues and history.
Pete Townsend was a massive influence in my life...what he and his equally talented mates created was nothing short of genius personified....and to do it on the "World Stage"...with such power, emotion, fury, as well as beauty and grace....yes I did say beauty and grace...these terms are not necessarily associated with this band...but for me I recognized these elements were present as well...their music is timeless as well as prophetic...and unfortunately not fully appreciated by enough people as many of us have allowed ourselves to be "fooled again"...when will we learn?...or will we as a species ever learn?
@blankman1212 not true ...there are zero accusations against him....if true,it would have come out after the internet scandal...he apparently did log on to a kiddie porno site,...which doesn't look good ....he claims it was an accident while he was doing " research, "... sounds sketchy I agree,but big difference from actual physical molestation.
If it wasn't for Pete and The Who I never would have survived my teenage years and even into my twenties. I could ALWAYS turn to their music to try and find understanding of myself and the conflicts therein. I'm grateful that a couple of old sids are still here.
The angst we had in our teenage years, then made into something more positive and pushed through our fears and feelings with their beautiful and meaningful lyrics and music 😊
I never understood why I was such a fan of The Who when I was younger, but as I've aged and think of the times when certain artist's music seemed to call out to me, able to express what I couldn't communicate on my own, I realize that music is such a powerful medium that can reach our soul in ways few things can. The Who and other groups of the time were instrumental in helping people to wake up and face the corruption of the world, encouraging their generation to stand up and push back. And now that we find ourselves in a similar place, surrounded by corrupt leaders and greedy corporations that seem hell bent on destroying this world, we could use a similar slap in the face.
I first saw The Who perform in Ealing around 1963 and many other venues during the 60’s, and more recently at O2 for their 50th. I feel such privilege to have had the experience to witness the phenomenon of not just the raw power of The Who but also to see Pete being acknowledged as the composing genius that he is.
Pete Townsend taught me that the ups and downs and the pain that we all will suffer sometimes in life can be articulated beautifully through music other than my father he was the most influential person in my life
@@stevetasane It's a joke about rock & roll subject material. What's missing is the chaos of other bands toying with principals of other bands . . . catch him/me/them if you can. Police were surveilling? Curious. Don't you think? In a country with one extraordinary tax rate for windfall wealth. English bands were bringing in serious money to the United Kingdom. Their lyrics were 'their' experience . . . the experience of youth.
@@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504. Supposedly, he bought the photos, BUT he didn't download them. Pete was a victim os child abuse. This might explain why he wanted to know how easy it is to buy explicit photos of children
I am very much like the unnamed friend who said to Pete "what's the point?" The response "when in doubt, JUST PLAY." is the answer to a question that I have had for years. Thank you.
Do you want to know what I love about Pete's interviews everyone is different!! I am endlessly fascinated about the mid-to-late 60s and Pete is one of the very few who can give an amazing accounts of that time.!
To me, they’re the greatest. And he’s the greatest among the great. I was 12 when both they and the rest of them came out of England. Even then they had this forward thinking look and sound. They stood out. Today, Red, Blue, and Grey” nearly brings me to tears.
This man is and always have been a visionary , his ability to write and to entertain us for as long as he has is testimony to his talent and skill - I have loved the Who since being a young teenager, a Mod of the 1980's who wanted to be alive in the 60's - they inspired me in such a way I have never lost that desire despite my marching years, Pete, thank-you, and the boys for all those years - just yesterday your music played all around my house all day as I was working on DIY - Perfect Y
It is so awesome that Pete and Irish Jack are still such close friends all these years later. You have given us so much music Pete that moved our hearts....thank you and God bless you.
Just finished Pete's book and was struck with his assessment that despite him acknowledging that he was the creative force behind the music, the Who will always be Rogers band.
I've been a Who fan for many, many years. Saw them live twice, saw Pete solo (w/a band, of course) once ... ran across this by accident and enjoyed the hell out of it. Sharp, introspective, funny, insightful, and more.
For all my life PT has been a voice and opinion that I cherished and had a impact on me. He is always honest and sometimes too much so but a real educator.
Highly intelligent man. Respect his views & outlook on life. He knows no more than me or you about the world in which we live. But, love his viewpoint.
@@guitarman1477 is it about peas? Trying to be clever but you're too thick to even get the spelling correct. If you're referring to the Latin meaning 'lover of children' it's PAEdophile.
His statement about arriving at a point in his life where he's finally accepted himself and is happy I feel we all arrive at in our late sixties early seventies.
He's one of the great wordsmiths and I'm a huge fan since middle school. I love the deep dive into his personal but historical history, rather than the usual, "We lived on a bombed out street, it was awful." The enlightening story about his stage presence and the destruction at the end of their shows really resonated with me, besides solving a 50yr mystery. It seemed so weird to me, then too expected, which he's spoken about often. I'm 8yrs younger than Pete, but that moment in 1963, when children's concerns became nuclear, me at 10, Pete at 18, couldn't be expressed any better. It drove our youth culture, i. e., sex, experimental drugs, very loud music, anything goes, because we thought we wouldn't live to see the 80s, nor would the world. It was very visceral and matter of fact. The loud music was a response to that, maybe it would blow out the bombs, or prepare us for the cacaphony. How familiar and quaint it's become, even though the threat is worse than now. Anyway, I could listen to Pete all day, and he was as honest an artist and performer as you could be with his fame. He wasn't just doing his job, as he said. He was the moody artiste, and lucky to be surrounded by The Who, so he could be free, as you could be in his world. And dang, he can still sing! Love hearing the low end of his voice, which was always rolled off and so he sounded shrill, and less the vocalist he really is. But I've never been a fan of The Who's and his engineering. It inspired me to become an engineer, along with the Stones, and Led Zep. Dreadful recordings. It was the old style of recording meeting the new. But the bands were good enough, and AM radio and our stereos bad enough to overcome it.
I'm so glad Townsend got sober!!! Man hes been so incredibly able to explain what hes about and what happened in the past and how he was living as Pete Townshend. Now sobriety is supposed to be anonymous but something tells me hes alright with his sobriety out in public? I was sitting in the twelve step house in Chicago Il and I'm drinking my coffee in my mellow I'm a thoughtful sober person now and when I look up and to my great great pleasure in the front double door after walking up the 12 steps inorder to gain entrance. In walked in Pete Townshend!!!! Oh lord I was absolutely mentally destroyed and delighted at the same time!!
Pete has always been my idol. The man is a musical genius and his critical thinking on rock and roll music and his own upbringing has inspired his writing....and it's brilliantly done. Long Live Rock!
This is what makes PT one of the greats. He lays himself out in a way few rock stars would dare. That and his genius. He saved my life more times than I can count.
GOOD. FINE, WHATEVER. GOOD GOD, NO ONE CARES. I DON'T CARE. I DONT CARE THE MOTHERFUCK AT ALL, GODDAMN IT. GREAT, WHATEVER. SHIT FUCKING GOD, NO ONE FUCKING CARES AT GODDAMN ALL.
There are very few rock & rollers, or possibly even musicians in general, who are as articulate as Pete Townshend -- who even attempt to be articulate. When he talks about the Who, you can tell how much he loves those guys.
Buenos Aires, 1979. TV trailer of the movie The Kids Are alright. I saw Pete playing See me, feel me for the first time. Then, I saw the movie 5 times in a week in a theater accompanied by my mother. It changed my life forever. God bless you Master.
Its extraordinary to note how PT has ascended to his rightful place in the history of British art and music. He was for so long overshadowed by Beatles and Stones. But now, we know the truth. I got Who's Next in 1988, and it was a revelation, then 2002 at the Concert for NY, the closing Olympics 2012, the world woke up.
enjoyed that,i still relate to pete sometimes I feel desperately detached from the human race and where its heading and hes the type that brings calm to the storm
I’m impressed that Townshend runs up the stairs as fast as he does. He’s truly a “ genius “ not to use that word lightly. His book was great, that he quotes from. He could have been gone decades ago with The Who’s lifestyle. It’s great that we can see this with our technology, and that he is still with us. Long live The Who.
A few stray thoughts about Pete.I've always thought he was the greatest Rock songwriter of them all.Certainly the most heroically epic teller of tall tales the music has ever seen.I've always wondered though how many times Daltrey has just wanted to strangle Townsend because of all of his relentless"honesty".Pete i think is the master of too much information.I wonder how Mick Jagger felt about what Pete wrote about him in his autobiography.That had to make for an awkward meeting next time they met.I'll always remember too what Keith Richards said about Townsend."Pete's problem is he thinks too much".But when you listen to any of the volumes of Townsend's Scoop it is amazing to realize how fully formed so many classic Who songs were when Pete presented them to the band.Incredible.Who's Next which was the remnants of the failed Lifehouse project may be the finest Rock album ever made. If ever there were a genius Townsend is surely one.
@@jojonorris8047 Yep strictly speaking when it comes to Rock Pete is without peer.If we're talking about popular music in general than George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Richard Rogers,Lorenz Hart, Jimmy Van Heusen,Sammy Cahn,etc. would have to be considered.
I love Glenn Frey’s imitation of producer Glyn Johns telling him “You’re not a rock and roll band. The Who - now THAT is a rock and roll band. And you’re not that.”
I've always been drawn to the sheer power of his music and his ability to express himself (both musically, conversationally and through the written word). A delightful way to spend an hour and 45 minutes!👈🎸🎵🎶
I fell in love with you at wembly stadium. Springsteen show. You remembered my name. I just was very impresssed. Nothing untoward happpened I met you again at Slate castle. You were amazing. You always are. Luv ya
Although I appreciate hearing the question the interviewer interrupted Pete with around 28:00, I really regret not hearing how Pete managed to pay for all those rented Rickenbackers that he destroyed. He was only just getting started as a professional musician and obviously didn't have the money to replace them. I'm curious how he managed to get MORE guitars from the music shops when he hadn't paid for the first one yet.
Pete and The Who played a very important part in my life, for some reason their music and lyrics just resonated so much, especially my failings, problems and lost loves. I was very much a very active participant in the sixties, such as being threatened with the cane due to refusing to have my hair cut, by my Headteacher who even when surrounded by two hefty PE Teachers fought them off when they tried to hold me down. On leaving went on many marches in London and helped to put up the fencing at the Isle of Wight pop festival. I nver ddi take drugs mainly because I hated smoking. But now 70 and old fart and every day despair and shake my head at the madness started by political correctness of Woke destroying our country, the virtual destruction of any true authority, discipline and order and seeing the very warnings my parents told me what would happen now come true causing him to give up, on going back to my classroom gloried in the cheering I got from my mates, which led to other boys growing their hair long. I very much believe that my generation thanks very to the revulsion and shock by our parents to Hitler and authoritarism allowed us to get away with so much, which had never happened to such a big extent in England and then America. It is interesting listening to Peter's schooldays ie playing in bomb out houses and how he got away with so much as well back then. Considering he created the word associated with the sixties 'My Generation' and "I hope I die before I get old" which he and me did not, we just grew up, got wiser and realize what idiots we were to think we could change so much without there being consequences - as we now see in the world. I was part of that time, look back on the music, films, TV, fashion, girls as being the best time of my life - the world has paid a very heavy price because we did turn everything upside down and today's young are paying a heavy price and I really despair the world they will live in. Would really like to see Pete Townshead agree or disagree with my now very pessimistic and regretful views.
Over the years as I travelled on the London Underground I wondered what happened to all the hippies who went to see the Who at the Isle of Wight pop festival. My teenage attachment to the Who came in 1979 and the delight of discovering their 60's albums in the record racks of Virgin Megastore. There was a whole body of work to admire by that stage. I am unsure what you are referring to my your name 'Wake up UK'.
The best interviewer and interviewee I've seen in a long time. But I wish Paul had asked a few in-depth questions about Conrad, as he holds a doctorate in Comparative Literature, and Pete's almost as well-read as David Bowie.
kia ora, such a hero of mine, love his work so much and it has been such an inspiration to me - difficult to find words - i can't explain - but i think i did - tee hee? good to hear he likes boats and his work has always had a certain fluidity to it, we make good boats down here in aotearoa, come on down to the americas cup in auckland, you would be most welcome. haere ra, mod paul
I was one of the 10 % that loved The Who ( the ladies, he speaks about ) I also loved that the Who didn't write sappy love songs. There is a world full of stories out there yet some only write love songs. 😖 Pete always had more depth than that and I have always appreciated and related to his lyrics. Love ya Pete ♂🎶🎶🎶🎼🎶💖💖💖🎶🎼🎶🎶🎶♂
Loved the Pure and Easy story (the few bars of a different song at the end of Baba O'Reilly). When I heard that, it was nearly religious in the way Beethoven's Ode to Joy, and the "hook" in his Fifth (Emperor) Concerto were for me. And the snippet of lyric was tantalizing as no one really wrote about my existential love of music and the beauty thereof. It was THE note, but where was the rest of that glorious song, THE notes, yet just common chords, that Pete doodled onto? What did it say, where did it go musically. Just a little pop ditty. I was crazed about it, but with no internet, in 1971, no way. I would have to wait nearly 60yrs until Lifehouse to hear it all. It was a beautiful little extra on Who's Next, made all the better by the no-bad-tracks excellence of Who's Next, only one of the incredible albums of that year. So I heard you, Pete, I got it, but it's hard to forgive that tantalizing torture! Pure and Easy doesn't even have a Wiki page, so maybe I'm relatively alone (it's kind of precious 60s, not for the guys of that time). Guess my wiki work is cut out for me! Anyway, tysm, Pete, for "There once was a note, pure and easy Playing so free like a breath rippling by..."
Pete is Not Good as an actor ... ? (21:30) .... Pete had the greatest Stage show of all musicians. No One had the Power and Charisma and Drama on Stage like Pete had ... he was a Great actor
I only knew Peter as a guitarist, he's really amazing, he is clever, cultured, aware of qualities of the human race well he is endearing. His understanding of art is sometimes particular. Peter's singing at 48:00 is quite good
Pete blows my mind. He also has seemed to mellow and is cool with doing interviews. At one time he seemed to be a bit of a rough guy. Love Pete. Never be another ever again.
I love that both songs he played were from Quadrophenia, which I consider among his finest compositions, and certainly the crowning achievement of The Who as a band.
It's quite rare you get Pete to sit down for something like this. But what comes from it for me is his utter frustration from when he was younger and taking it to the stage. Quadrophenia and Tommy I guess are Pete's release? Damn what a realise! Only 2 left now in 2022, Peter and Roger, the loss of John Enwhistle is really sad even though that what some years ago.. But they aren't going to quit just yet me thinks.
The register part true because he didn’t go to court but cleared of all charges because nothing was downloaded and he was researching abuse in relation to the abuse he suffered as a child. A lot about this is in the book. I guess we all believe what we want to believe. Peace !
Poor Pete. You have to love him. Some absolutely lovely moments. And if the interview had happened the next night ALL his stories would be different. And some of them would even be true!
He does change stories/historical events/as he sees fit at that time.hes told the story re: his first time smashing a guitar as AN ACCIDENT he instinctively followed through on, dozens of times, and now he says it was "planned"
What a wonderful articulate man. A great story teller and I'm sure an all round dacent guy. I'm sure it would be a fantastic experience to have a few pints and chat about the amazing life The Who have had in some out of the way pub in the back of beyond in West Cork. Fingers crossed.
As a twelve year old boy with a quite advanced ear for music and the guitar in particular, owned Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy; The Who Sell Out, The Kids Are Alright, Live At Leeds, Quadrophenia... And even at that young age i sought out and devoured information in books and magazines about The Who, Led Zeppelin, Queen... Here in Seattle in the mid' seventies it wasn't easy to find interviews, quotes or discussions about these musicians' minds. And i had a fckn FEVER. I needed information and there was Hit Parader, Creem, and Rolling Stone magazine(s). And Bert Sugarman's Midnight Express; Austin City Limits, and the occasional Rock & Roll documentary. I'd watch Soul Train and ANY program that offered live music. Radio was quite good here in Seattle and so was the concert circuit. I saw them all. That's my story! Thank you, Pete. Much, much love, admiration and respect.
This man's music has meant more to me than any other composer's in the world. His music has always been the right fit for me. It always hits right on the nerve of my own personal issues and history.
Yep, he's the one
lol
Pete Townsend was a massive influence in my life...what he and his equally talented mates created was nothing short of genius personified....and to do it on the "World Stage"...with such power, emotion, fury, as well as beauty and grace....yes I did say beauty and grace...these terms are not necessarily associated with this band...but for me I recognized these elements were present as well...their music is timeless as well as prophetic...and unfortunately not fully appreciated by enough people as many of us have allowed ourselves to be "fooled again"...when will we learn?...or will we as a species ever learn?
Yup he's a cho mo.
There will never be another Pete Townshend, just pure class musician a legend x👍
Don't forget proven cho mo.
@blankman1212 not true
...there are zero accusations against him....if true,it would have
come out after the internet scandal...he apparently did log on to a kiddie porno site,...which doesn't look good
....he claims it was an accident while he was doing " research, "... sounds sketchy I agree,but big difference from actual physical molestation.
If it wasn't for Pete and The Who I never would have survived my teenage years and even into my twenties. I could ALWAYS turn to their music to try and find understanding of myself and the conflicts therein. I'm grateful that a couple of old sids are still here.
The angst we had in our teenage years, then made into something more positive and pushed through our fears and feelings with their beautiful and meaningful lyrics and music 😊
Oh cool thanks that’s a good way to put it.✌️
With age you start to understand and relate to Pete's fantastic lyrics. The Who is such a beautiful creative force...
I'll say nothing other than "How fortunate for me to have lived during Pete's lifetime?"
I never understood why I was such a fan of The Who when I was younger, but as I've aged and think of the times when certain artist's music seemed to call out to me, able to express what I couldn't communicate on my own, I realize that music is such a powerful medium that can reach our soul in ways few things can. The Who and other groups of the time were instrumental in helping people to wake up and face the corruption of the world, encouraging their generation to stand up and push back.
And now that we find ourselves in a similar place, surrounded by corrupt leaders and greedy corporations that seem hell bent on destroying this world, we could use a similar slap in the face.
The corporate leaders do not want to destroy the world, they wish to divide it. One part are the takers, the other the givers.
I first saw The Who perform in Ealing around 1963 and many other venues during the 60’s, and more recently at O2 for their 50th. I feel such privilege to have had the experience to witness the phenomenon of not just the raw power of The Who but also to see Pete being acknowledged as the composing genius that he is.
Jealous ! I have a friend who saw The Who at The Marquee in 1966 and went to a party after where Keith and Pete where in attendance.
"02 isn't recent anymore. haha. ;-)
How's your hearing, Love ? I withstood ground zero level Who in the '80s and couldn't hear for 4 or 5 days.
@@brianl3766 The venue 02 in London she probably means Brian...
That must have been so much fun! I was born in 1965 so my first Who show was 1982, unfortunately after Keith’s pasding
I find Pete Townshend a fascinating person who has always made perfect sense to me, in his music and in conversation.
Pete can always " Explain " right?😄💜💜💜
You do know he's a convicted sex offender?
@@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504 He was then cleared!
@@laurentdubois2268
Please explain to me how you can be cleared of something that you admitted to during your police interview.
The police could have coerced a false confession.
This interviewer is great because he knows how to listen and how to let the person being interviewed finish a thought. That is often not the case.
its called active listening good point
academic person depends on the engery of both parties. Sometimes u don’t want to conduct the interview. So u half listen
@@anthonybrogan390 Active Listening, yes.
@Andrew Wilson Amen!
True
Possibly one of the best interviews with a Rock Star I've ever listened to. Awesome
Watched in 2024, what a privilege and appreciated every minute and every word
Pete Townsend taught me that the ups and downs and the pain that we all will suffer sometimes in life can be articulated beautifully through music other than my father he was the most influential person in my life
A genius, Pete... So glad he's here.
@@stevetasane It's a joke about rock & roll subject material. What's missing is the chaos of other bands toying with principals of other bands . . . catch him/me/them if you can. Police were surveilling? Curious. Don't you think? In a country with one extraordinary tax rate for windfall wealth. English bands were bringing in serious money to the United Kingdom. Their lyrics were 'their' experience . . . the experience of youth.
Possibly, the finest musician/artist of my time. The Who were always into art. This was down to Pete. Some life this man has lived. 👊
Mike will you are a piece of shit with no knowledge about this case.. Pete is a good man
@bela katootz
Lol, so if I go into a bank and commit armed robbery I can use the defence that I'm researching gun crime?
@Mike will Bet you are a Gary Glitter Fan.You really are a PRICK Mike
@@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504. Supposedly, he bought the photos, BUT he didn't download them. Pete was a victim os child abuse. This might explain why he wanted to know how easy it is to buy explicit photos of children
@@antoniozuquete5068
No excuses, he's a perv!
And there's no evidence of him being abused, that was something he threw in the mix when he got caught.
Could listen to pete for hours, great bloke and talented with excellent vision of the world and music .
I am very much like the unnamed friend who said to Pete "what's the point?" The response "when in doubt, JUST PLAY." is the answer to a question that I have had for years. Thank you.
God bless Pete Townsend.
Do you want to know what I love about Pete's interviews everyone is different!! I am endlessly fascinated about the mid-to-late 60s and Pete is one of the very few who can give an amazing accounts of that time.!
To me, they’re the greatest. And he’s the greatest among the great. I was 12 when both they and the rest of them came out of England. Even then they had this forward thinking look and sound. They stood out. Today, Red, Blue, and Grey” nearly brings me to tears.
This man is made of sense and he's one of my all time favorite musicians and songwriters.
Phenomenal guitarist and producer.
This man is and always have been a visionary , his ability to write and to entertain us for as long as he has is testimony to his talent and skill - I have loved the Who since being a young teenager, a Mod of the 1980's who wanted to be alive in the 60's - they inspired me in such a way I have never lost that desire despite my marching years, Pete, thank-you, and the boys for all those years - just yesterday your music played all around my house all day as I was working on DIY - Perfect
Y
Performance Art is what Pete is talking off. Art college kids would smash up old pianos, chairs , each other etc.
It is so awesome that Pete and Irish Jack are still such close friends all these years later. You have given us so much music Pete that moved our hearts....thank you and God bless you.
Just finished Pete's book and was struck with his assessment that despite him acknowledging that he was the creative force behind the music, the Who will always be Rogers band.
DONT THINK TO MILES AND MILE SS AND M
pETE. SOLD
@@MrWhiteamin Come again..(?)
I've been a Who fan for many, many years. Saw them live twice, saw Pete solo (w/a band, of course) once ... ran across this by accident and enjoyed the hell out of it. Sharp, introspective, funny, insightful, and more.
For all my life PT has been a voice and opinion that I cherished and had a impact on me. He is always honest and sometimes too much so but a real educator.
I was jail or 36 years listening you lads, I wouldn't have made without you!!
Nothing has ever compared to seeing the original Who in the late sixties at the Fillmore East! RIP Keith and John.
The greatest modern writer of music.
Highly intelligent man. Respect his views & outlook on life. He knows no more than me or you about the world in which we live. But, love his viewpoint.
Quadrophenia....my favourite album of all time ❤️
Peadofrenia
@@guitarman1477 is it about peas? Trying to be clever but you're too thick to even get the spelling correct. If you're referring to the Latin meaning 'lover of children' it's PAEdophile.
@@guitarman1477 go away
@@youjoker9647 and you are the joker? Ha ha a total useless clown. Stfu
Legend and perhaps the most exciting rock performer during the 60s and 70s and that is saying something given the competition.
His statement about arriving at a point in his life where he's finally accepted himself and is happy I feel we all arrive at in our late sixties early seventies.
I've a few things to say about that, but I'll let it go.
He's one of the great wordsmiths and I'm a huge fan since middle school. I love the deep dive into his personal but historical history, rather than the usual, "We lived on a bombed out street, it was awful."
The enlightening story about his stage presence and the destruction at the end of their shows really resonated with me, besides solving a 50yr mystery. It seemed so weird to me, then too expected, which he's spoken about often.
I'm 8yrs younger than Pete, but that moment in 1963, when children's concerns became nuclear, me at 10, Pete at 18, couldn't be expressed any better. It drove our youth culture, i. e., sex, experimental drugs, very loud music, anything goes, because we thought we wouldn't live to see the 80s, nor would the world. It was very visceral and matter of fact. The loud music was a response to that, maybe it would blow out the bombs, or prepare us for the cacaphony. How familiar and quaint it's become, even though the threat is worse than now.
Anyway, I could listen to Pete all day, and he was as honest an artist and performer as you could be with his fame. He wasn't just doing his job, as he said. He was the moody artiste, and lucky to be surrounded by The Who, so he could be free, as you could be in his world. And dang, he can still sing! Love hearing the low end of his voice, which was always rolled off and so he sounded shrill, and less the vocalist he really is. But I've never been a fan of The Who's and his engineering. It inspired me to become an engineer, along with the Stones, and Led Zep. Dreadful recordings. It was the old style of recording meeting the new. But the bands were good enough, and AM radio and our stereos bad enough to overcome it.
I'm so glad Townsend got sober!!! Man hes been so incredibly able to explain what hes about and what happened in the past and how he was living as Pete Townshend. Now sobriety is supposed to be anonymous but something tells me hes alright with his sobriety out in public? I was sitting in the twelve step house in Chicago Il and I'm drinking my coffee in my mellow I'm a thoughtful sober person now and when I look up and to my great great pleasure in the front double door after walking up the 12 steps inorder to gain entrance. In walked in Pete Townshend!!!! Oh lord I was absolutely mentally destroyed and delighted at the same time!!
Pete has always been my idol. The man is a musical genius and his critical thinking on rock and roll music and his own upbringing has inspired his writing....and it's brilliantly done. Long Live Rock!
This is what makes PT one of the greats. He lays himself out in a way few rock stars would dare. That and his genius. He saved my life more times than I can count.
GOOD. FINE, WHATEVER. GOOD GOD, NO ONE CARES. I DON'T CARE. I DONT CARE THE MOTHERFUCK AT ALL, GODDAMN IT. GREAT, WHATEVER. SHIT FUCKING GOD, NO ONE FUCKING CARES AT GODDAMN ALL.
Forgive that unhappy creature who writes all in caps. I understand you, and have had the same experience.
Exactly, no one reveals themselves like Pete. He allowed himself to be so vulnerable.
This is a great interview. I love it when Pete goes on (and the interviewer keenly lets him do so) - wish it were 5 hours long.
There are very few rock & rollers, or possibly even musicians in general, who are as articulate as Pete Townshend -- who even attempt to be articulate.
When he talks about the Who, you can tell how much he loves those guys.
What a pleasure to listen to Pete Townshend.
Buenos Aires, 1979. TV trailer of the movie The Kids Are alright. I saw Pete playing See me, feel me for the first time. Then, I saw the movie 5 times in a week in a theater accompanied by my mother. It changed my life forever. God bless you Master.
Townshend. Absolute genius and hero. A living immortal.
Its extraordinary to note how PT has ascended to his rightful place in the history of British art and music. He was for so long overshadowed by Beatles and Stones. But now, we know the truth. I got Who's Next in 1988, and it was a revelation, then 2002 at the Concert for NY, the closing Olympics 2012, the world woke up.
enjoyed that,i still relate to pete sometimes I feel desperately detached from the human race and where its heading and hes the type that brings calm to the storm
All the Townshend interviews are worthwhile and exciting ❤❤❤
I’m impressed that Townshend runs up the stairs as fast as he does.
He’s truly a “ genius “ not to use that word lightly.
His book was great, that he quotes from.
He could have been gone decades ago with The Who’s lifestyle.
It’s great that we can see this with our technology, and that he is still with us.
Long live The Who.
nice to see pete open up and talk about his life thank you
Pete is such a funny bloke. I could listen to him yap for hours on end.....and he's a GREAT, Rock guitarist.
A few stray thoughts about Pete.I've always thought he was the greatest Rock songwriter of them all.Certainly the most heroically epic teller of tall tales the music has ever seen.I've always wondered though how many times Daltrey has just wanted to strangle Townsend because of all of his relentless"honesty".Pete i think is the master of too much information.I wonder how Mick Jagger felt about what Pete wrote about him in his autobiography.That had to make for an awkward meeting next time they met.I'll always remember too what Keith Richards said about Townsend."Pete's problem is he thinks too much".But when you listen to any of the volumes of Townsend's Scoop it is amazing to realize how fully formed so many classic Who songs were when Pete presented them to the band.Incredible.Who's Next which was the remnants of the failed Lifehouse project may be the finest Rock album ever made. If ever there were a genius Townsend is surely one.
Who's Next came out in 1971, what I call the Watershed of Music year. And that album, best of that year, stands the test of time.
He is the best songwriter that has ever lived. Mic drop.
@@jojonorris8047 Yep strictly speaking when it comes to Rock Pete is without peer.If we're talking about popular music in general than George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Richard Rogers,Lorenz Hart, Jimmy Van Heusen,Sammy Cahn,etc. would have to be considered.
@@patriciawilson9666 ....Indeed.
@@gerrybarker8592 Gettin' In Tune ....incredible song.
Nobody can explain rock "n" roll well maybe Pete Townsend?
The greatest rhythm guitar player who ever lived. Not sure? Listen to "Live At Leeds". That record INVENTED rock music.
The Who are the definition of a Rock and Roll band.
Please add Zeplin to that list.
I love Glenn Frey’s imitation of producer Glyn Johns telling him “You’re not a rock and roll band. The Who - now THAT is a rock and roll band. And you’re not that.”
Pete plays two songs off 'Quadrophenia', my favorite album.
Great music from a brilliant mind. Thank you so much, Pete.
I heard him say once that he didnt expect the band to last. He did for the art of it. He is an artist beyond just music.
I've always been drawn to the sheer power of his music and his ability to express himself (both musically, conversationally and through the written word). A delightful way to spend an hour and 45 minutes!👈🎸🎵🎶
Yes, he speaks English, though not very well.
Great interview. The interviewer is actively listening and goes deep with the most fascinating person in Rock.
The interviewer has no choice but to "actively listen" because Pete took over.
He speaks my language...
I fell in love with you at wembly stadium. Springsteen show. You remembered my name. I just was very impresssed. Nothing untoward happpened I met you again at Slate castle. You were amazing. You always are. Luv ya
Although I appreciate hearing the question the interviewer interrupted Pete with around 28:00, I really regret not hearing how Pete managed to pay for all those rented Rickenbackers that he destroyed. He was only just getting started as a professional musician and obviously didn't have the money to replace them. I'm curious how he managed to get MORE guitars from the music shops when he hadn't paid for the first one yet.
What a wonderful man.
Pete and The Who played a very important part in my life, for some reason their music and lyrics just resonated so much, especially my failings, problems and lost loves. I was very much a very active participant in the sixties, such as being threatened with the cane due to refusing to have my hair cut, by my Headteacher who even when surrounded by two hefty PE Teachers fought them off when they tried to hold me down. On leaving went on many marches in London and helped to put up the fencing at the Isle of Wight pop festival. I nver ddi take drugs mainly because I hated smoking. But now 70 and old fart and every day despair and shake my head at the madness started by political correctness of Woke destroying our country, the virtual destruction of any true authority, discipline and order and seeing the very warnings my parents told me what would happen now come true causing him to give up, on going back to my classroom gloried in the cheering I got from my mates, which led to other boys growing their hair long. I very much believe that my generation thanks very to the revulsion and shock by our parents to Hitler and authoritarism allowed us to get away with so much, which had never happened to such a big extent in England and then America. It is interesting listening to Peter's schooldays ie playing in bomb out houses and how he got away with so much as well back then. Considering he created the word associated with the sixties 'My Generation' and "I hope I die before I get old" which he and me did not, we just grew up, got wiser and realize what idiots we were to think we could change so much without there being consequences - as we now see in the world. I was part of that time, look back on the music, films, TV, fashion, girls as being the best time of my life - the world has paid a very heavy price because we did turn everything upside down and today's young are paying a heavy price and I really despair the world they will live in. Would really like to see Pete Townshead agree or disagree with my now very pessimistic and regretful views.
Over the years as I travelled on the London Underground I wondered what happened to all the hippies who went to see the Who at the Isle of Wight pop festival. My teenage attachment to the Who came in 1979 and the delight of discovering their 60's albums in the record racks of Virgin Megastore. There was a whole body of work to admire by that stage. I am unsure what you are referring to my your name 'Wake up UK'.
The best interviewer and interviewee I've seen in a long time. But I wish Paul had asked a few in-depth questions about Conrad, as he holds a doctorate in Comparative Literature, and Pete's almost as well-read as David Bowie.
I wish they had of talked about his interest in children
@@guitarman1477 sounds like you're the one who is interested in kid's?
kia ora,
such a hero of mine, love his work so much and it has been such an inspiration to me - difficult to find words - i can't explain - but i think i did - tee hee? good to hear he likes boats and his work has always had a certain fluidity to it, we make good boats down here in aotearoa, come on down to the americas cup in auckland, you would be most welcome.
haere ra,
mod paul
I was one of the 10 % that loved The Who ( the ladies, he speaks about ) I also loved that the Who didn't write sappy love songs. There is a world full of stories out there yet some only write love songs. 😖 Pete always had more depth than that and I have always appreciated and related to his lyrics. Love ya Pete ♂🎶🎶🎶🎼🎶💖💖💖🎶🎼🎶🎶🎶♂
A very great man. A very great musician.
my favoorite acoustic player...a rythym hand that cant quit and arrangements that stand the test of time
that was really good. What a neat guy. I really enjoyed hearing him talk and tell his stories. And he's so funny! Such a good sense of humor. Love it.
Loved the Pure and Easy story (the few bars of a different song at the end of Baba O'Reilly). When I heard that, it was nearly religious in the way Beethoven's Ode to Joy, and the "hook" in his Fifth (Emperor) Concerto were for me. And the snippet of lyric was tantalizing as no one really wrote about my existential love of music and the beauty thereof. It was THE note, but where was the rest of that glorious song, THE notes, yet just common chords, that Pete doodled onto? What did it say, where did it go musically. Just a little pop ditty. I was crazed about it, but with no internet, in 1971, no way. I would have to wait nearly 60yrs until Lifehouse to hear it all. It was a beautiful little extra on Who's Next, made all the better by the no-bad-tracks excellence of Who's Next, only one of the incredible albums of that year. So I heard you, Pete, I got it, but it's hard to forgive that tantalizing torture! Pure and Easy doesn't even have a Wiki page, so maybe I'm relatively alone (it's kind of precious 60s, not for the guys of that time). Guess my wiki work is cut out for me! Anyway, tysm, Pete, for
"There once was a note, pure and easy
Playing so free like a breath rippling by..."
Pete is Not Good as an actor ... ? (21:30) .... Pete had the greatest Stage show of all musicians. No One had the Power and Charisma and Drama on Stage like Pete had ... he was a Great actor
Just brilliant and imaginative!
I only knew Peter as a guitarist, he's really amazing, he is clever, cultured, aware of qualities of the human race well he is endearing. His understanding of art is sometimes particular.
Peter's singing at 48:00 is quite good
your spot on with whats happening to music and you need to speak of protecting it ...
Pete doesn't need an interviewer.
Fuk🙌. Sorry, for the language, but possibly the best interview ever.
He released himself & explained his complex nature, what a natural treasure 👌🙌🙌👍💕
How I wish we had followed the advice Pete gave us in “Won’t get fooled again”.... sadly we didn’t 😩
It’s easier to fool people than to convince them they’re being fooled..
Pete blows my mind. He also has seemed to mellow and is cool with doing interviews. At one time he seemed to be a bit of a rough guy. Love Pete. Never be another ever again.
The boy who heard music 🎶💙
Loved hearing the Quadrophenia tunes!
I love that both songs he played were from Quadrophenia, which I consider among his finest compositions, and certainly the crowning achievement of The Who as a band.
Excellent interview
Paul's interviews of Pete Townshend are wonderful.
Absolutely NOBODY writes lyrics like Pete!!
Read Pete's book while back good book and excellent interview!The Who where a fantastic band!
It's quite rare you get Pete to sit down for something like this. But what comes from it for me is his utter frustration from when he was younger and taking it to the stage. Quadrophenia and Tommy I guess are Pete's release? Damn what a realise! Only 2 left now in 2022, Peter and Roger, the loss of John Enwhistle is really sad even though that what some years ago.. But they aren't going to quit just yet me thinks.
Ah Fuck It, I love this man. And we are forever grateful that you found the words.
Regardless of what I read in the comments. Pete Townshend is inspiring.
That was brilliant
The Who served the audience very well, I am here to profess.
Speaking for the 90% male contingent. I'll buy the book.
A beautiful soul!
That had to be put on the sex offenders register, how does that work out then?
Please get your facts straight.
@@bryanstaddon5998
Are you trying to tell me what I stated isn't true?
The register part true because he didn’t go to court but cleared of all charges because nothing was downloaded and he was researching abuse in relation to the abuse he suffered as a child. A lot about this is in the book. I guess we all believe what we want to believe. Peace !
@@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504 His popularity upsets you eh Mr Permit? It must be sheer hell for you . He he!
when pete leaves us my heart will be broken...........
Poor Pete. You have to love him. Some absolutely lovely moments. And if the interview had happened the next night ALL his stories would be different. And some of them would even be true!
He does change stories/historical events/as he sees fit at that time.hes told the story re: his first time smashing a guitar as AN ACCIDENT he instinctively followed through on, dozens of times, and now he says it was "planned"
Townshend is a very intelligent artist.
What a wonderful articulate man. A great story teller and I'm sure an all round dacent guy. I'm sure it would be a fantastic experience to have a few pints and chat about the amazing life The Who have had in some out of the way pub in the back of beyond in West Cork.
Fingers crossed.
Just have your few pints and imagine it. It would be more interesting that way, actually.
One of the best interviews of all the interviews I've seen.
The other 2 were with Pope Paul and Queen Elizabeth, the queen mother.
This is wonderful.... WOW!
I had no idea that Pete ' s dad was a musician , explains a lot .
Pearl fishers. Looking for that correct sound in cupolas. Pearls in cups running over.
Pete is a Great Rhythm guitar player ...
He's a great guitar player. One of the greatest.
Fascinating interview.
As a twelve year old boy with a quite advanced ear for music and the guitar in particular, owned Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy; The Who Sell Out, The Kids Are Alright, Live At Leeds, Quadrophenia... And even at that young age i sought out and devoured information in books and magazines about The Who, Led Zeppelin, Queen... Here in Seattle in the mid' seventies it wasn't easy to find interviews, quotes or discussions about these musicians' minds. And i had a fckn FEVER. I needed information and there was Hit Parader, Creem, and Rolling Stone magazine(s). And Bert Sugarman's Midnight Express; Austin City Limits, and the occasional Rock & Roll documentary. I'd watch Soul Train and ANY program that offered live music. Radio was quite good here in Seattle and so was the concert circuit. I saw them all. That's my story! Thank you, Pete. Much, much love, admiration and respect.
Such a great interviewer.