Pete Townshend - 1979 Secret Policeman's Ball Drowned

Pete Townshend playing Drowned at "Secret Policeman's Ball" show

[@pconlisk]

One of the greatest live performances I have ever seen.

[@televinv8062]

👍🙏👍🙏

[@theresadimasi6899]

Agreed

[@johnheart6890]

I agree.

[@captainrock2002]

Pete has always had brilliant dynamics whilst playing guitar, going from blazingly loud and powerful to whisper quiet and beautiful. A lot of this was helped with his Hiwatt stacks, but that element of his playing still comes across magnificently with just an acoustic guitar and his hands. Takes me breath away. Cheers Pete.

[@scottwaszak698]

Greatest strummer in rock history.

[@Guitaroverkill]

I thought that was Joe Strummer.

[@guitarslim56]

You speak the truth.

[@johnisallin]

Achive this stuff and show it to future generations on how its done! I never thought I'd be more into Pete than when I was a kid with Who posters plastered all over the walls of my bedroom. But as I get older, I appreciate the genius of Pete Townshend more and more all the time.

[@IMeMineWho]

Only got into the Who seriously when I joined my first Who tribute in 2016 as guest vocals. Then I saw both the brilliance of his concepts, his lyrics, music and that beautiful tenor voice.

[@brenhollhunt]

There are no words to describe how beautiful this is.

[@johnhwilliams]

Absolutly one of the best live performances ever!!!!!

[@iluvguildguitars]

Best damned song on a fantastic album. I like it even better with Townshend singing lead.

[@jimhaas3]

Yeah, it’s a GREAT album

[@SethHensel]

Bought the vinyl in ‘79. Love everything on it

[@tanyanelson8780]

Words cannot express how much I love this man. Thank you Pete! Great performance.🤟✌️🌹💐

[@IMeMineWho]

I'm with you sister. Immense 💜 and gratitude for PT!

[@Abstratosphere]

Magnificent. Pete Townshend solo performances always leave me in a river of tears. This performance is breathtaking. Bravo Pete!

[@stefanhamilton8713]

There once was a note, pure and easy. Playing so free, like a breath whispering by....

[@RubHerSoul1]

Now that's how to play rythym! Only Townsend could make rythym sound like lead playing. Great singer too!

[@bigbadbob58]

Again, one of the best rhythm guitar players of all time. I think that this was one of better era's of Pete's solo guitar work.

[@timothyoconnell4189]

Probably the greatest one-man performance in the short history of Rock...Pete sings like an Angel. Absolutely beautiful!

[@IMeMineWho]

Oh yes!

[@kingdom777866]

Petes been my hero for 40yrs, i remember the day this was on tv and it blew me away then, and it still does now!! fantastic!! his music makes me glad to be alive! Thanks pete for your great music for all these years!!

[@jayrayinnv]

How anyone can doubt that Pete Townshend is the greatest rock figure of our lifetime is beyond me. A brilliant songwriter and perhaps the most under-rated guitarist ever, he is an iconic figure. His celebrity and the popularity of the Who managed to obscure in many ways the enormity of his talent. Brilliant. Utterly brilliant.

[@IMeMineWho]

Brilliant. Great poet/composer and what a beautiful, gorgeous voice!💜

[@GlenStevens-cf4dj]

most under-rated guitarist ever?? what an odd statement

[@88napolitano86]

Yes sir,always loved his acoustic.He is so underrated.

[@macandrewes]

astonishing performance. what makes it even crazier is that pete himself has admitted he was so hammered that he doesn't remember it.

[@timrobwall]

Blazing speed but completely controlled rhythmically. Simply brilliant!

[@booghboogha]

Not only is he phenomenal on the acoustic, his voice's timber, tone and emotive ability gives me goosebumps. A transcendent performance where we get to experience a virtuoso who also composed what he performed. A rarity. It is known that Beethoven destroyed the pianofortes he performed on because the Grand Piano had yet to be invented. Beethoven was playing for a sound that could not yet be expressed due to the lack of a strong enough instrument. Pete was lucky that guitar could withstand the punishment!

[@InService77]

I have loved this version of this song since it came out on record. After nearly 40 years of consistently listening to the record, I just had the thought to check youtube for video of this performance. Your comment confirms to me that there are people out there who know and understand the depth of beauty expressed in this performance.

[@booghboogha]

@@InService77 Me too! I was blown away by the movie and rushed out to purchase the album. I was 14 and now, 40 years later, this performance reminds me what being human is all about.

[@timothyoconnell4189]

His voice is astonishing beautiful, I love hearing this!

[@brib333]

Oh yea! Pete at his best! This has always been my favorite version of Drowned. Fuckin raw talent!

[@Shafeone]

It is said that 'talent' is what a man possesses. But 'genius' possesses a man. Pete is a man possessed. The premier Rock composer of the age. A great hard driving guitarist. A modern Mozart. I am grateful to have his music in our time. Keep it up mate.

[@dickyfisher9249]

Its been 30yrs. Now since i bought the album. I was told it was a bootleg. From a record store. Today i saw the vid to it. F'n awesome. I play acoustic 12 string. I come close but not there yet. Someday i'll get it. Im from boston grew up on long island NY. Live in S.Dakota now. Am 60. And still Rockn. Smoke up America!...guitar man 12.

[@TomorowIsALongTime]

Do you think this bootleg is still available somewhere? I need it!

[@rennywilder4509]

I used to live in SD lol

[@bbjtime]

i love this.. not the album verison.. this!

[@McHale72]

Agreed. This is the version I heard BEFORE the original and I was disappointed in the album version.

[@Plhmel561]

Deepness in simplicity. I have been listening to this since it came out when I was in high school.

[@Tundra56]

I remember him at this time. He most definately was drinking heavily back then. I recall reading once that Cynthia Lennon said of John Lennon & Paul McCartney "They could be drunk out of their minds, but the minute you'd put a guitar in their hands, they'd play like they hadn't touched a drop". This must be what happens to people that are doing what they were born to do. Great video! I used to love Pete Townshend. This brings back great memories!!

[@LynseyMoon]

who dared to thumbs this down

[@jjgriffmn]

Lynsey Moon I thought the same thing - fools

[@alanmorri]

Petes acoustic tunes are wonderful!! Rough Mix is one of my favorite lps of all time, lots of acoustic stuff on Who Came First as well!!

[@isaiahangelo]

WOW...Pete's best live acoustic version of "Drowned." He's the most prolific consumate Rock musician/composer of his age and probably of the 20th/21st Century

[@kingdom777866]

Pete is a true artist, i saw this on tv on policemans ball all those yrs ago, i was blown away!! i just had to get a copy!! i did.. on vynill and still have it to this day! and yes, it still blows me away!! Hes the reason i spent 3 grand on a Gibson j200, and worth every penny!! ROCK.... he just has to play the opening cord and my hairs stand on end!!! Who can strum like this.... no one!!!

[@kewrock]

Out of the three songs PT did that night, two have been digitally remastered. Only this one remains a blurry old piece of film. It is the best song of the night, and by far his best performance.

[@timothyoconnell4189]

So true, he crushed it.

[@booghboogha]

Absolutely transcendent. Beautiful and powerful. Hard to believe it's just one man playing and producing such a huge, energetic sound.

[@dahlia61]

This arrangement of one of the best tunes on Quadrophenia is amazing. I don't think the ad lib about "drowning in your love" detracts at all. I don't think I've ever heard Townshend sound so passionate. Like astrochicken says, absolutely fucking brilliant.

[@Dracqla]

Probably THE best stumming performance in rock history!!! I wore this vinyl out...Great to SEE it finally ;}

[@michaelshaw9211]

I never have heard any live performance by anyone which compares to this. It's a Spiritual gem, and it highlights Townshend's Spiritual walk- as well as his superlative rhythmic sensibilities, his unparalleled songwriting and his great talent as a performer. Impassioned!

[@jaggajah]

guitar madman but wot a fookin beautiful voice - amazing truely

[@sm6860]

It is true that PT was hammered during this performance...so I'm wondering what excuse many of today's contemporary artists have who couldn't hold a candle to this.....LONG LIVE PETE TOWNSHEND.

[@yannpinguet]

This fucking right hand, awesome !

[@MegaSenna27]

the greatest guitar player of all time!!!

[@arthursid1129]

That would be Davey Graham

[@mprofane]

I saw The Who in 1979 and 2009, and Pete is 10 times the guitarist today that he was 30 years ago. The man is tremendous. Nobody does with a guitar what he does.

[@alreadyou]

watched this in 1979,its was great then and still great now...................

[@mike196212]

Watched this on tv with my Mom. She liked it a lot. She died in 1999. Think of her when I hear this.

[@RefinnejLincoln]

thoroughly riveting, invigorating, stimulating, prolific, prodigious and all of the other "Pete" lexicon, vernacular, etc. . . . .he's a genius-

[@babel1967]

Pete's a true badass!! Love it!!

[@itzjoeymac]

pete townsend HAS to be considered one of the great guitar players of our lifetime. above that is he must be among the best songwriters as well. how many can say they have that double talent?

[@JohnRiordanBigRi]

Bonnie Raitt, but not many others.

[@Shafeone]

It is said that talent is what a man possesses...GENIUS is what possesses a man. Pete is definitely a man possessed. It simply doesn't get any better than this. We are lucky to have had his music all these years.

[@arthursid1129]

A mesmerising performance.

[@Choppers93]

It was so exciting to find this gem. It was my inspiration to play acoustic!

[@pconlisk]

A masterpiece of liveness.

[@BryanEddy09]

brilliant composition played and sung to perfection.

[@Vincentvuoto]

It’s one thing to know how to play the guitar, sing, and write. But to write, sing, and play like like this (and not to mention all of Pete’s other work) is something on a whole different level. Beyond pro.

[@essertpitay]

Pete is beyond being just a rock star.

[@IMeMineWho]

Amen.

[@Sledgehammer455]

Townshend plays a mean acoustic guitar!

[@mickleem]

yes brilliant and the big fella was drunk as hell when he sang this and wont get fooled again with john williams. remember when it was first aired. this was the talking point. this man was born to rock1! more please

[@rickreno1189]

I said this elsewhere so I'll say it here too. When I first heard this performance on the benefit album that was released in 1980 or 81. I said to myself "That's the song I want played at my funeral" Thirty plus years later I still do-though I hope that day isn't near. I was not being morbid then nor am I now. It's the concept of drowning in 'your sweet sweet love' (Whose? God's? Buddha's? Doesn't matter-the spirit matters, Pete matters. And btw, that guitar rendition has an eternal spirit too.

[@arthursid1129]

Well worth saying.

[@analogkid4957]

Rick Reno it was inspired by Pete’s Guru Avatar Meher Baba. He does a rendition of this in the film The God Man from 1976

[@pilgrim1138]

-What a sweet voice, and moving song!

[@Raskolnilov]

The best guitarist/songwriter ever. This performance takes us somewhere else - true great art!

[@numberface]

This guy can rock a guitar... He's rock and roll and flamenco all rolled into one.

[@slap777]

One of his best.

[@GRIDMASTER6]

@jackvita Pete Townsend is as you say one of the best songwriters and guitarist ever.

[@photo2010]

I've heard PT mention his hearing loss many times. But thankfully it hasn't seemed to have affected his abilities. Still touring and amazing.

[@danheilman7729]

He always said the flamenco style of playing influenced him a lot. This makes it clear.

[@stefanhamilton8713]

...and banjo.

[@franciskhoury4288]

You hear that influence on his electric fills too. Like the muted chops heard in songs like Squeeze Box. He's a master.

[@markfernandes9715]

He also developed a fine picking style around the time of Live at Leeds on fast solos.

[@danheilman7729]

@@markfernandes9715 True. I think he was a thumb/index finger picker, but he did a lot with it.

[@ge2623]

"Flamenco?" maybe. But I don't think his sexual orientation should enter into it.

[@ralphbelcastro445]

i cant describe this to friends when i talk about Pete's acoustic prowess. breathtaking

[@jerroldfrank5869]

I remember I bought the first Secret policeman’s ball on cassette way back in 1979. What a gem finding this song on that recording.

[@davemann5592]

I would never have played the guitar had I never heard this song in 1986.

[@zzyyxxo]

how great he is... hecko.

[@RobertoPavan]

I have the vinyl album. I really wish this would be remastered onto CD. Just for this song and his Won't Get Fooled Again.

[@wildfabby]

thank God this is here, this great cut is not on the Secret Policeman's Ball DVD (?!), which it was shot for. PT has always been a brilliant lyric writer & guitarist & this is the best version I've ever heard of this song, even better than the original studio recording! can't wait for the upcoming Quadrophrenia box set ;-)!

[@brenhollhunt]

Or how beautiful he is. I'm addicted!

[@IMeMineWho]

Just beauty ❤

[@peterdobo]

I just picked my jaw up off the floor........ that was the best performance of "power strumming" I have ever seen and heard! The lyrics are brilliant, the music breathtaking....... if I still smoked, I'd want to have one right now! Thanks, Pete!

[@wetjeans33]

pete has and always will be the best , we are fortunate that this man is still alive and can sstill hear him play , the who the best rock band ever , and pete there is no words that can describe his genial playing of the guitar , i have been playing for 36 years and its all pete i play but i would have my bollocks cut off to be able to play a 5th like that , a genius that will go down in history like mozart infact pete is mozart of the guitar , genius

[@scottpatrick8645]

to me this is petes best live performance. the shadowy camera work brings the nastalgia of the late 70s, he is confident, strong, young.

[@Reachowt]

I agree with everyone here on the pinnacle performance of "Drowned". Scott Hillary - the shadowy camera work you noticed(good eye, incidentally) is called Chiaroscuro and it adds to his most artful expressions of this song. This song is art. Many places along the way you want to freeze his playing, his expressions on his face, the notes and the expression and then you can reply this video repeatedly and discover, as with real art, something new and always exciting over and over. Bravo Pete!

[@GuitaristInProgress]

Four and a half of my favorite minutes in all of rock.

[@augustosposaro713]

The Best.

[@dansdone]

this is why eddie vedder has a 20 foot tall portrait of pete in pearl jams practice space and a 30 foot tall pic of pete in his living room---pete townshend is-was-and always will be what rock n roll really is...when you look up rock n roll in a dictionary there should just be picture of pete smashing a guitar!! i was at this show and it gave me goosebumps to see someone up close be that fucking great!

[@tylervancho1516]

Best version I’ve heard, starting at like 2:15 it sounds kind of like what Pete played during the my generation medley and a Tommy like riff

[@marka8947]

I know it's impossible, but I'd love to hear the entire album like this!

[@itzjoeymac]

pete townshend is the most incredible guitar STRUMMER on the planet. itz like a rhythym guitar lead. it is bleepin' poetry. you doubt the power of a great strummer? SEE RICHIE HAVENS!

[@xxIceNinexx]

Pete definitely shines here...Love this...thanks so much...Rock on...

[@andymassingham]

Pete shows up, smashes as good as anyone in the world. Leaves. This is perfect.

[@ThePaulewally]

THANKS FOR POSTING!!! -- Always thought this was the best version of this song ever. Never released on CD. I can finally through away the old cassette I had of this. Thanks again!

[@Margaux177]

Ye shall not see the likes of a Rock star like Pete Townshend again. MAG-NIF-I-CENT!

[@markd5662]

brilliant

[@browser007200]

Thanks for that, I saw the guys live back in UK in a little scene called the corn exchange in Chelmsford,Essex,back in 1967,they were into smashing kit but were the live band to see and this recording is superb.made an old guy happy with his new I touch,ta for that browser

[@doncharters1018]

IS PETE TOWNSHEND THE GREATEST MUSICIAN OF THE LAST 60 YEARS OR SO? i THINK HE IS.

[@frommy6990]

Don Charters There's no doubt!

[@andybenstead7240]

yes

[@chrisvantassel8867]

Right up there for sure!

[@bluesque9687]

Wow! Beautiful, Mr.Townsend!! Am a fan!! Really cool stuff :) Always liked the song! Beautiful writing, totally taken in by it! Love this passionate rendition too ❤

[@dwocelot6913]

GENIUS

[@kingfire15]

If I am remembering correctly, Townsend's first instructor was a guy who specialized in playing Spanish style guitar. That could explain, partly, Pete's skill and strumming so quickly. Thanks for the video.

[@dominiccarter77]

Yeah ya right gusvenables,brilliant strumming! Fantastic tunes!

[@juiceman1965]

Read a quote from (i believe it was) Lenny Kravitz who commented that Pete plays guitar "ike his life depended on it." This performance is the one that ran into my head after I read it.

[@gabitazeppelin]

I love Pete forever... love this man

[@ever4ward05]

One of my all time favorite vinyl albums. Recorded June 27-30 1979. Directed in part by John Cleese. Townsend also does Pinball Wizard and Won't Get Fooled Again (with John Williams) on this recording.

[@TheSanityInspector]

Hadn't seen this in 15 years, thanks so much for posting!

[@danny6655]

Pete Townshend your are the ONE.

[@LightenUpMcGraw]

Whenever you hear Pete play the acoustic you can hear the Flamingo influence in his playing, that flurry, and you can also hear why Keith Moons drumming style fit in so well with his playing.

[@btforman]

Thanks so much for posting this remarkable performance

[@mrduckstwo]

Love the man. Reading his new book now...WONDERFUL!

[@CipherMind117]

w00t! Pete's the best musician ever!

[@SuperWhofan1]

I'm Speechless!

[@bobskelly9418]

Awesome timeless