Pete Townshend and Paul Holdengräber: Who Is He? | 10-8-2012 | LIVE from the NYPL

LIVE from the NYPL | Recorded live at the New York Public Library, Celeste Bartos Forum, October 8, 2012.
In Who I Am, Pete Townshend-guitarist, songwriter, singer and founding member of The Who-at last tells his story. In conversation with Paul Holdengräber, one of rock-and-roll’s biggest icons will talk about his most intimate memories; from the inner sanctum of Eric Clapton’s drug-ridden hotel rooms to the feet of Jimi Hendrix and his electric kool-aid guitar; from the first trial performance of Townshend’s rock opera, Tommy, in a London bar to setting the record with The Who as the world’s loudest band, Townshend will unload the journey that left him writing songs for “the best live band of all time.” Hear the stories straight from the mouth that sang on the front lines of rock-and-roll’s takeover of the music world.

[@christinejames322]

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.

[@vivalapsych]

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.

[@brianl3766]

"02 isn't recent anymore. haha. ;-)

[@aeneas237]

Were you a mod or a rocker?

[@iangray7410]

How's your hearing, Love ? I withstood ground zero level Who in the '80s and couldn't hear for 4 or 5 days.

[@jamesappleton7390]

@@brianl3766 The venue 02 in London she probably means Brian...

[@vampyros1]

A genius, Pete... So glad he's here.

[@andrenewcomb3708]

@@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.

[@elvislives-gl4rv]

God bless Pete Townsend.

[@FredHerrman]

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.

[@danielj1063]

Yep, he's the one

[@mickydee7502]

lol

[@bradgillian5269]

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]

Yup he's a cho mo.

[@codjh9]

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.

[@klauscruikshank9585]

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.

[@chrispickett6069]

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

[@den264]

Performance Art is what Pete is talking off. Art college kids would smash up old pianos, chairs , each other etc.

[@LeonTrotsky6782]

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.

[@patriciawilson9666]

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.

[@gerrybarker8592]

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.

[@jojonorris8047]

He is the best songwriter that has ever lived. Mic drop.

[@patriciawilson9666]

@@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.

[@jojonorris8047]

@@patriciawilson9666 ....Indeed.

[@jojonorris8047]

@@gerrybarker8592 Gettin' In Tune ....incredible song.

[@mccannlk]

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.

[@carlderfler5006]

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!!

[@kaivrock]

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.

[@deanwestwood249]

I was jail or 36 years listening you lads, I wouldn't have made without you!!

[@Mrsilenciobackgammon]

The greatest modern writer of music.

[@davidlenett8808]

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!👈🎸🎵🎶

[@spacelook9076]

Yes, he speaks English, though not very well.

[@cdcoop0]

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.

[@bigimskiweisenheimer8325]

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.

[@wakeupuk3860]

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.

[@liamkirk3565]

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'.

[@Chudley716]

Great music from a brilliant mind. Thank you so much, Pete.

[@LeonTrotsky6782]

Fuk🙌. Sorry, for the language, but possibly the best interview ever. He released himself & explained his complex nature, what a natural treasure 👌🙌🙌👍💕

[@Kerrielw1]

What a wonderful man.

[@DETROITBULLET]

your spot on with whats happening to music and you need to speak of protecting it ...

[@AndyGoldner]

One of the best interviews of all the interviews I've seen.

[@spacelook9076]

The other 2 were with Pope Paul and Queen Elizabeth, the queen mother.

[@triciairisbrown470]

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.

[@Kerrielw1]

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

[@Jungleland33]

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.

[@spacelook9076]

Just have your few pints and imagine it. It would be more interesting that way, actually.

[@colinfarren8326]

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.

[@BarMaleusson]

Just brilliant and imaginative!

[@LemonLadyRecords]

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..."

[@lolitamorris2943]

Let my love 😍 open the door 🚪

[@doughartley3513]

Let my love open all doors

[@yetivanmarshall1473]

My Karma tells me, you've been screwed again, if you let them do it to ya, you've got yourself to blame, its you who feels the pain, it's you who feels ashamed. (sure spoke to me for the past 40 plus years).

[@tonym994]

so much of that record can be applied to our lives, w/ or w/ out the Mods.''my fried egg makes me sick first thing in the morning''.and at times when my Dad would really lay into me ,verbally or physically, I remember thinking ''I do NOT want to get ''old''.(40 ish was his age at the time.).I'm now 63. so it happened.

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

@gary grine You obviously have never listened to his police interview where he admits to visiting sickening sites, including one where he watched a baby boy being sodomised! All in the name of research of course.

[@guitarman1477]

Yes, paedofillia is a serious thing

[@markhaus2830]

Fascinating interview.

[@stratowhore9051]

57:44 Thanks for setting the record straight! Finally!

[@WarrenPeace007]

The Who were the business. Better than the Stones in my humble opinion

[@evanreakes]

Regardless of what I read in the comments. Pete Townshend is inspiring.

[@tonyfeuerhelm]

Dude you are the Bomb baby. My hero.

[@joedaw3003]

Empty Glass is my favourite solo or Who album.

[@annangel4828]

Just brilliant!

[@InstantKarma1970]

1:38:21 Outstanding contribution to music art life

[@Northern-Sounds]

Diamond Geezer!

[@4orrcountry]

@robbie williams: IF you read Pete's book, you'll learn the truth. Then again, if you were to learn the truth, you'd have to find other false grenades that you could lob about other people...because that's what you like to do, eh robbie?

[@factorylad5071]

@@stevenhannah490 Hi Steve I have read many of you're comments on PT material. Can you please explain your obsession with pop up books and what are they please?

[@see4miles67]

@@stevenhannah490 Hannah you’re Bananas 🍌

[@5jerry1]

~ As time goes on, Townshend and Robert Englund look more and more alike.

[@plasticweapon]

the first 10 minutes have a lot of "i've known no war" from the "it's hard" album in them, in terms of subject matter.

[@olavmjelde5396]

That was cool shit!

[@Kerrielw1]

You have a lot to learn

[@reportingfromthebunker]

Pete has changed his story about Jimi going on first at Monterry pop. The Who wanted to go on first because Jimi's act was similar to The Who and the who didn't want to seem like they were playing second fiddle to Jimi. I think both acts underestimated their capacity to grow so they were both taking ownership of the auto destruction act on stage.

[@DS-yg4qs]

1:15:32 that guy just cut him of talking on hendrix to ask some french fries.

[@land7776]

I don't like the interviewer, and you can tell Pete was uncomfortable with him. He doesn't let the conv. flow- he's like a NYC librarian nerd, like he's interviewing Homer. He's waiting to ask his next deep question while another train of thought from the author is in progress. Pete's radio interviews are much better.

[@kaihunlu2345]

It's part of the fashion recently, where the interviewer is sort of supposed to be an equal part of overall interview. They are usually pretentious, stupid while over-informed in the arts, acting too connected to the info of the interviewee. They are trying to make a career, and follow the model Leonard Lopate and James Lipton started maybe 30 years ago. It's tiring and I end up not watching after five minutes.

[@bronzesnake7004]

Hey Pete, bro can I...can I ahh have that sweet J 200!!!?? PULEEEEEZ!! Jack ~'()'~

[@SwampEye1]

Fuck .. that's a guitar in the beginning of "Who are You " ... ?

[@dirkm1920]

How comes that Umlaut in "Holdengräber" survived in the US?

[@danmurphy4817]

Häagen-Dazs...

[@rhiahlMT]

LOL, the VA did a psych eval on me because of my violent reactions to scents. They swore it was a reaction to some deep psych thing I was hiding from myself. Must be military sexual trauma. I humored them and went in for this thing. Answered like 200 questions. It comes back as "not interested in normal female pursuits". I cook, sew, quilt... The psychiatrist looked at it and shook his head. Apparently, my lack of interest in crime dramas and the fact I listed my 5 favorite songs and 4 of them being by The Who put me as a lack of interest in my femininity. The shrink laughed.

[@guitarman1477]

Shut up you clown

[@andrenewcomb3708]

Did Druids bring flax to England?

[@unclereg7713]

Yes the celts used it as clothing and as sail cloth.

[@grimmertwin2148]

Was he convicted or not convicted for accessing child porn. You're either convicted, put on probation or exonerated. Please can someone set this right. I've always loved Pete's honesty. However, I can't forgive him this if it's true. And judging by the comments here I'm not the only one. Apparently only Daltrey came to his defence. Daltrey fucked everything that moved including some of questionable age. Facts please.

[@see4miles67]

FACTS : Pete Townshend was found NOT to be in possession of CP and was given a caution ie an official warning for breaking the law. He has the same loving family, friends and fans as before and continues to have a successful life making and selling records, playing to thousands of punters, gives lectures, receives prestigious awards, gets published, walks his dogs and sails his yacht at the grand old age of 77. Sorry to piss on your party witch hunters!

[@Pauls_Archive]

@@see4miles67 You only have half the story here. You should watch the documentary - Operation Ore here on KZbin. It follows the investigation and Townsends Arrest / interview etc, He was arrested for using a credit card to access an American website hosting CP. Nothing was found on his computers but because he payed to access the Site, he was given the option of going to court or taking a Police caution - he took the caution!. He was also required to sign the sex offenders register for a period. There was no witch-hunt, what happened, happened!

[@jazzcat2359]

@@Pauls_Archive This is not new information you are giving. The police did their job and found NO EVIDENCE! He paiid for NOTHING. The transaction was immediately rescinded! The police unconditionally believed his reasons for going there. There was no purchase. The witch hunt is all the trolls on here some 20 years later, who can’t be arsed to check the facts and poke around thin air with their pointy sticks.

[@GeorgieFlintlock]

He had to be placed on the sex offenders register because of the material he watched. Watch the operation ore documentary.

[@sophiafakevirus-ro8cc]

If he broke one guitar that would have been fine, the rest is bullshit

[@arlingtonhynes]

That interviewer is painful to listen to.

[@donbrogan3158]

Haha. I find him fascinating, he is a great interviewer, let's Pete talk,and beautifully express himself as he is known for.

[@movid]

Roger's interview with Judd Apatow is much more interesting than this 🌴...Pete is struggling to be artsy in this library.. it doesn't work, Hey Pete...why don't you just be what you really are, a talented crazy musician that's published great rock, not tales or books, this turned into a boring session, surprisingly 🙄 quite disappointing, turned into a bighead, contrary to Daltrey...

[@willywonka1815]

Really?

[@marksonanything]

With age you start to understand and relate to Pete's fantastic lyrics. The Who is such a beautiful creative force...

[@LightWingStudios]

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.

[@danrod2422]

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 😊

[@garythompson2692]

There will never be another Pete Townshend, just pure class musician a legend x👍

[@blankman1212]

Don't forget proven cho mo.

[@JohnBock-nq9lr]

​@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.

[@joshuamichael8345]

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.

[@den264]

The corporate leaders do not want to destroy the world, they wish to divide it. One part are the takers, the other the givers.

[@booklover3959]

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.

[@anthonybrogan390]

its called active listening good point

[@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631]

academic person depends on the engery of both parties. Sometimes u don’t want to conduct the interview. So u half listen

[@stevecuzz8820]

@@anthonybrogan390 Active Listening, yes.

[@stevecuzz8820]

@Andrew Wilson Amen!

[@paulcolbourne9112]

True

[@LeonTrotsky6782]

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. 👊

[@MrBrungers]

Mike will you are a piece of shit with no knowledge about this case.. Pete is a good man

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

@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?

[@Mrmagpie220]

@Mike will Bet you are a Gary Glitter Fan.You really are a PRICK Mike

[@antoniozuquete5068]

@@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

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

@@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.

[@damon6852]

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.!

[@youjoker9647]

Possibly one of the best interviews with a Rock Star I've ever listened to. Awesome

[@mickdevlin]

The greatest rhythm guitar player who ever lived. Not sure? Listen to "Live At Leeds". That record INVENTED rock music.

[@whiskeyriver4322]

I'll say nothing other than "How fortunate for me to have lived during Pete's lifetime?"

[@trammix]

I find Pete Townshend a fascinating person who has always made perfect sense to me, in his music and in conversation.

[@margaretgordy3760]

Pete can always " Explain " right?😄💜💜💜

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

You do know he's a convicted sex offender?

[@laurentdubois2268]

@@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504 He was then cleared!

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

@@laurentdubois2268 Please explain to me how you can be cleared of something that you admitted to during your police interview.

[@rojachi7847]

The police could have coerced a false confession.

[@dorco99]

Could listen to pete for hours, great bloke and talented with excellent vision of the world and music .

[@booklover3959]

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.

[@guitarstella1]

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

[@abw48]

Pete speaking of trashing guitars as the love and hate, the birth and destruction of all that represents, rock n roll etc, is from the teaching of Kali, the Hindu God of creation and destruction, Pete is a devote of Paps John.

[@FrankieParadiso4evah]

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.

[@guitarman1477]

I wish they had of talked about his interest in children

[@youjoker9647]

@@guitarman1477 sounds like you're the one who is interested in kid's?

[@mikem820]

How I wish we had followed the advice Pete gave us in “Won’t get fooled again”.... sadly we didn’t 😩

[@stewartwilson1209]

It’s easier to fool people than to convince them they’re being fooled..

[@SwampEye1]

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

[@paulmichael7570]

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

[@COLOUREDCOAT]

Quadrophenia....my favourite album of all time ❤️

[@guitarman1477]

Peadofrenia

[@youjoker9647]

@@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.

[@garywood5882]

@@guitarman1477 go away

[@guitarman1477]

@@youjoker9647 and you are the joker? Ha ha a total useless clown. Stfu

[@juliocesarpereira4325]

Pete plays two songs off 'Quadrophenia', my favorite album.

[@machia0705]

The Who, controlled chaos.

[@Snakefinger1000]

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.

[@Frip36]

I've a few things to say about that, but I'll let it go.

[@mrgjg]

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.

[@MrWhiteamin]

DONT THINK TO MILES AND MILE SS AND M pETE. SOLD

[@harrykadaras9459]

@@MrWhiteamin Come again..(?)

[@cdshull]

Re: Keith Moon; he used his drums to fill the role of lead guitar.

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

I only just came across this idea a few days ago and I think the Townsend kind of said it. But for much longer I heard him say that John Entwistle played the bass and of course John said it himself. And it was true. Pete said that he had to play the role of time keeper with his rhythm guitar.

[@leescott2069]

Nobody can explain rock "n" roll well maybe Pete Townsend?

[@1FeistyKitty]

Jimi H was murdered

[@Nominay]

Michael Jeffrey wouldn't have it any other way.

[@nicholasgargano7396]

And Brian jones

[@NorthWriter]

Pete Townsend discovered The Matrix decades before the Wachowskis.

[@harrykadaras9459]

'The Relay'

[@reinhardtchristiansen4275]

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.

[@mannyruiz1954]

Pete is such a funny bloke. I could listen to him yap for hours on end.....and he's a GREAT, Rock guitarist.

[@den264]

As a post war baby I recall doing the same as Pete. We made forts in the derelict buildings and every boy had an ex army knife and ex army web or "belt " we made wooden guns and went out to kill imaginary Germans. Mystic times , not a care in the world. When I reached the age of 22 I left Scotland and went to Portsmouth Art College for three years. I arrived in the Summer of 1974 and along with my best friend from Glasgow rented a flat in Whitwell Road Southsea. The landlord's dad was a well known architect in Portsmouth who got to know the Who via his participation on the sets of the movie Tommy. As was the norm, we went out on Friday night to the pub and came back very late. On the Saturday morning the landlord's told us we should have come home earlier as the entire band dropped by with his dad and many drinks were consumed by all. How pissed off we were , especially myself, Because I like Pete was an artist and also an acoustic guitar player. That's life, you stay out late and you miss the Who.

[@MrBuckloner]

Nothing has ever compared to seeing the original Who in the late sixties at the Fillmore East! RIP Keith and John.

[@mottthehoople684]

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

[@gaminawulfsdottir3253]

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.

[@waltergibbons422]

When you look at the entire Who Catalogue, you have to wonder why The Who needed to do any of that, the music is so incredible in and of itself. Better Than The Stones and Kinks, maybe not as good as Beatles, but thats debatable

[@bobwobbabble5151]

Better than the Beatles.

[@theboofin]

Apples and oranges...

[@davehaller6477]

Great interview. The interviewer is actively listening and goes deep with the most fascinating person in Rock.

[@Frip36]

The interviewer has no choice but to "actively listen" because Pete took over.

[@mrgjg]

It's funny how he played two songs from Quadrophenia instead of the more popular Tommy. Tommy is a great album and no doubt put the Who on the international map, but in my opinion, Quadrophenia is the superior album and with the possible exception of Who's next, is the bands finest work.

[@alexanderarmstrong5306]

I'm surprised he's not deaf for how long he suffered with hearing loss

[@stratowhore9051]

WHAT'S THAT?

[@laurarominger2073]

Alexander Armstrong I lost some hearing just from all the concerts I attended. Worth it

[@81kentboy]

This man is made of sense and he's one of my all time favorite musicians and songwriters. Phenomenal guitarist and producer.

[@zim1966]

Early Who was controlled Chaos!

[@abw48]

zim1966: The early Who were a Mod Band, My Generation was written for that generation, my generation, like the rest of us we moved more into a more psychedelic generation as the 1960s moved on with all the controlled chaos that ensued.

[@davidwood493]

Watched in 2024, what a privilege and appreciated every minute and every word

[@drvee1983]

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.