Pete Townshend - Chinese Eyes Documentary 1982 HD

30 Minute video for Pete Townshend's 1982 release - "All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes" This certainly is not my video, but I have uploaded because it is not available anymore and has never been released on DVD. If whomever owns this film would like me to take it down, just ask. Better yet - ask me to take it down and advise you are releasing on DVD!

[@allenhatfield4149]

Otis Gibbs and Bill DeMain sent me here. Love Pete and the Who as well as this album. Thank you for uploading and posting this great documentary

[@seeburg10]

Same here. I like it!

[@leokimvideo]

Pete at the peak of his songwriting years. Sadly the music industry's winds had changed. All the junk of that time is now mostly forgotten. Pete's music shines as bright now as it did when released.

[@ccbrabs]

Your Majesty is like a stream of bat's piss.

[@chalkiedavies4734]

It was 1 pm on a tuesday in 1982 when the phone rang, Hi Chalkie, it's Pete (Townshend), there is this thing starting in America, its called MTV and they want a 30 minute film of me, if you can get to Bill Curbishley's office by 2,30 pm with a script I reckon I can get you the job. We got the Job, we started filming the following Monday and shot for six days, we had two full days and four afternoons with Pete. I have not seen this in 30 years as it was never on DVD We hope you enjoy watching it.

[@alexdavis5360]

Amazing job, glad it got back to ya

[@BushyHairedStranger]

Absolutely appreciate this beautiful work being given the opportunity of acknowledgement by those of us who love Petes Work. What’s most important is its exposure to others, to younger listeners those who haven’t heard these gems. My deepest sincerity and thanks for keeping this up on KZbin. My life is that much richer and worth living hearing this again!

[@stevensalemi6395]

Bravo!!!

[@krollpeter]

He seems so vulnerable and emotionally hurt here.

[@CockySoupNazi]

This is great stuff, thanks for posting it. I love this album. I had the cassette version of this and listened to this in my walkman at the time it was released.

[@richalderson6069]

I don't understand why this album was so critically panned at the time, it's full of excellent intelligent songs with great melodies written the way only Pete Townshend can. This is fantastic viewing of a rock legend at a crossroads in his life, asking questions and looking at the experience of his life.

[@krollpeter]

Same here. Empty Glas and Chinese Eyes are both near masterpieces, they are full to the brim with the excellence of a matured song-writer.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Indeed...80s singer songwriter...rare breed...his voice and vision without the Who.

[@paulhoughton5164]

I completely agree. The palette on Chinese eyes is as broad Pete’s imagination, the songs are all high quality Pete stuff and the musicianship outstanding. The times were very much against artists of Pete’s generation ( punk had been and gone maybe but it had set the rock press firmly against anyone who was “established” or “old school” regardless of the any music they produced. It’s an album I return to frequently. “Slit skirts” - the greatest who song they never recorded !

[@richalderson6069]

So many of Pete's songs could slot into the greatest who song they never recorded ha ha! But I love the more personal aspect of his solo work. @@paulhoughton5164

[@someguy42093]

The title of the album for starters is terrible. The cover is wtf. And the songs are uninteresting. It’s not bad musically. Just unremarkable. But then the title and cover ruin it completely

[@1960jack]

I am 57 now, bought this album back in 82 when it was released, still have this album 35 years later and it still resonates well after all these years, The sea refuses no river, Slit Skirts are my favorites.

[@richardedwards7780]

Similar age, same story.. Slit Skirts is just amazing, the entire album is.

[@kevincoleman9855]

56 and me too

[@timothybyers]

I saw The Who in 1976. Best concert ever. After Moon the Loon and The Ox passed, I saw The Two and the replacements for the deceased. Still very good. Now 67 and still loving the music!

[@chalkiedavies4734]

Yup, i'm the real deal, very old friend of Pete's... I'm a photographer and this is the only film we made, except one for Simon T a year or so later. If anyone is interested there are some good photos of Pete and others on my Facebook page...

[@trevorkenward7661]

This album was an example of perfectly crafted pop music. Every track is a winner.

[@finch45lear]

I love this record. I know it’s a bit of a cliche with Pete, but with The Relay and Communicate he was such a visionary seeing the internet and social media that he utilizes so well.

[@wingnutofcoolness]

He looked younger in the 80's than he did in the 70's.

[@familydogg1234]

Lol - that's because he shaved his beard cut his hair and got Sober. By this time he was real prolific and released a series of Scoop Lps wrote a book of prose and short stories " Horses Neck"

[@seeburg10]

Neil Young too.

[@AMEER-114-]

​​​@@familydogg1234 Really... And what the @#$% is Scoop lps?

[@BootsieRosenweig]

@@AMEER-114-three albums with the name of Scoop: Scoop, Another Scoop, and Scoop 3. Full of his demos of his Who songs or of new material.

[@AMEER-114-]

@@BootsieRosenweig So... Instead of properly saying "THE" SERIES of SCOOP lps.." They said "A" series of SCOOP" indicating it is a certain TYPE OF lp that any musician might release... Therein perpetuating inaccuracy and potential confusion.

[@brucebrodeen3229]

The bass lines on "Slit Skirts" are some of the very finest of the 80s...the song just wouldn't have the powerful impact it has without 'em....and Pete's guitar outro on the song slays me...wish he kept it going longer...

[@robdisner]

There’s a longer version available on CD…

[@adamsasso1]

“It doesn’t matter how clean or dirty you are, you get there in the end.” Amen to that.

[@westbayk2156]

Always blows my mind..... First time I saw Pete in concert, he was in his mid/late 30s. And we all considered them old men.

[@grannysgonerabid7425]

Loved this album when I bought at the ripe old age of 14!!! Tony Butler on bass and Mark Brzezicki on drums? Yes - more please! Always love watching Tony play, the guy always looks like he's having a blast.

[@ernieleitch3347]

IMHO...this is the best solo project Pete ever released... the arrangements, the guitar playing and the lyrics are the best he's ever done...He was working up to this with Empty Glass but the material here is so much more complete in theme and impact...one of my all time favorite recordings

[@miguelteixido3157]

I prefer empty glass.but except some songs I prefer the treatment of the sound in Who's records.I like much the 2 records post Keith.I was 20 years and were The Who fan not exclusively but really fan.great surprise the return live shows at 21th century even after Entwistle's died.this second period of energy Daltrey &Townshend has been a grande finale.even with Zak Starkey in drums! Magical The Who

[@thomasandersen6719]

Empty Glass is way superior to this album.....but I like chinese eyes....very good album

[@miguelteixido3157]

@@thomasandersen6719 agree empty glass superior than chinesse eyes but we 're Pete fans.

[@thomasandersen6719]

@@miguelteixido3157 Empty Glass would have been the last great Who album..Cat's in the cupboard would have been a Who classic with Roger belting it out.....but Pete kept the good songs to himself in the early 80's and gave the ordinary stuff to the band...Face Dances and It's hard should never have been released as Who albums in my opinion. The songwriting on Empty Glass and Chinese eyes was way WAY better

[@jimmyt9345]

I humbly agree, my friend. This album touched me in a very deep way and I remember playing it over and over. It still sounds awesome now, but of course I am much older and there are lot of tears of sorrow and joy in remembering.

[@jeffkaufman9875]

A beautiful, perfectly-conceived experimental follow-up companion to the greatness that preceded it (EMPTY GLASS), and the yet masterful music that followed it in WHITE CITY…

[@RichardHoward]

Interesting live version of Slit Skirts with the brilliant Virginia Astley on piano. Virginia was Pete's sister-in-law at the time. Virginia's brother Jon co-produced a few Who albums and remastered their back catalog.

[@1354867]

Richard Howard Virginia and Jon are my third cousins and Petes kids are also my fourth cousins.

[@bobdavis4848]

@@1354867 I am an enormous fan and collector of Virginia Astley's music. I am hoping to find and buy a "Promise Nothing" CD, a CD with the 12 inch versions of "Tender" and "Darkness has Reached Its End" and re-buy my stolen Japanese "All Shall Be Well" CD, as well as buy any DVD of her. Any ideas? Good day to you!

[@salcatalano2774]

Got this on vhs in 85...been eating eggs and bacon that way since...always thought it was odd that he laughs when he puts it in the microwave...great album...great period..

[@ldrobarts]

My favorite solo work by Townshend. I bought it in 82 and to this day, remains my all time fav.

[@willritter4076]

I'd greatly appreciate it if some Pete Townshend fans would view my acoustic piano & vocal cover of SLIT SKIRTS, which you can find by clicking on my channel. Please pardon the self promotion and of course, all respect to Pete the KING of songwriting!

[@aidanmaxwell1019]

Thanks Otis Gibbs and Bill DeMain for making me aware of this

[@teigsadhana5769]

I love the way he cooks his breakfast in the microwave. disgusting but so hilarious!! Pete is my personal musical idol. as i am sure he is for everyone else who has taken the time to watch this.

[@GamerMan57]

or how he tries cutting the bread with a chain saw XD

[@divingduck1970]

Just when you think he's going to fry it all up, it goes in the microwave, and he eats it!

[@michaelmapes4119]

I love the IZOD polo shirt he's wearing.

[@jefferygoodman9928]

@Teig Sadhana: Since the plate was in the nuke for approx. 1:25 I’m surprised that he dint burn his fingers when he removed it without an OveGlove.

[@patrickcrowther9195]

The two solo albums he made in the early 1980s are so much better than anything The Who had done since about 1975. Great, great records that have meant so much to me over the years.

[@GavinSteiner]

Pete is singing "Slit Skirts" live in the video! Nice!

[@splankhoon]

The Sea Refuses No River, Face Dances, Exquisitely Bored, Somebody Saved Me, Slit Skirts, Uniform,....song upon song of pure brilliance. Pete's best album if you ask me. Thank you so much for posting this !! No matter how much I search and listen, I can't seem to find any 'spokesmen' for their 'generation' nowadays with the literacy and depth the likes of Pete, Ray Davies, Bowie...Real artistry!

[@Architectureguy]

Yeah, I found this looking for a live version of "Somebody Saved Me". I absolutely love that song! I think about my wife when I hear that song. I was in a funk from a breakup in college, and just seeing her brought me out of it (yes, love at first site is real at least for me). I'm sure that's not what Pete thought of when he wrote it, but it works for me. Anyway, I agree that this is Pete's best solo album. Don't forget North Country Girl. About the only thing missing is a Gilmour solo.

[@danocable]

Slit skirt’s is a very sad song.

[@joakimbjornberg7597]

Loved it since 2005. Age of 15

[@derbystardom]

I have always thought it was "Stardom in Action" ... unbelievable. I have had this album on cassette, cd, for 30+ years and I just noticed it is "Stardom in Acton"..unbelievable.

[@krickshorts5346]

The songs stand the test of time! Every time I listen, its still like the first time!

[@makissoflife]

Pete's a musical genius in a class all his own. Thanks for sharing Lynd8!

[@marcelopepinho]

man you should be immortalized for putting this on youtube!!!

[@ShaKimono]

Many of foggy afternoons in my room puffing to this classic album back in the day a true masterful period in Pete's writing

[@tanyanelson8780]

Glad I can see this again. It was removed a while. Love you Pete!

[@cschoen100]

Have never seen this. Townshend's best solo album, imo. I was in HS when this was released and I played the hell out of it.

[@juliocesarpereira4325]

The more I listen to this album, the more it grows. I know all the lyrics by heart. Thanks for posting this video.

[@divingduck1970]

When MTV was brand new, they used to show "Face Dances" and "Slit Skirts" in heavy rotation. Not much to choose from in those early days. Pete used to "want his MTV!" in his spots, too. What a unique time in history that didn't last very long.

[@hermitnerd]

I feel his videos were some of the real gems of early MTV...so unusual and creative. Speaking of - if you watch til the very end - this seems to have been a joint production between Pete's company and MTV somehow.

[@johnhwilliams]

Yeah, I remember that!!

[@mygirlpiper]

Paul Yes because MTV did air this Pete Townshend special originally ! I remember because I recorded it at the time off of MTV.

[@Tracey..H]

all the townshends boys are dreamy. I met simon and paul in detroit. Paul bought me a breakfast on 8 mile. crazy cool how much he lloks like pete

[@fredsalter1915]

Pete is a fucking musical genius. Just saw him and Roger at the Golden 1 Arena, Sacramento, 10-26-22...... (the dirty knobs were the opening act....) THE FUCKING WHO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EDIT: god bless the poster of the precious video!!!

[@ScottJamesLIve]

Saw the Dirty Knobs on Long Island, Rock and Roll will never die.

[@Gkirby001]

This is absolutely wonderful. Chinese Eyes is my favourite PT album. I spent the summer of 82 in Paris and this album was playing everywhere. Wonderful songs. Great documentary.

[@glenesis]

Never knew this existed. I had a tape of an hours-long interview with Pete from this era, and it was my favorite. I hope it turns up again. Damn, I love that man.

[@heftosprod]

Bloody hell! Excellent. This album was a gateway to pt and the who for me. Borrowed it from the local library on cassette over and over, till I ordered the vinyl. Fantastic record that has aged very well indeed.

[@williamperkins7318]

Otis rules man I bought this album new and always was a favorite, just those cheesy '80s synthesizers, no one was immune. Really nice cover of North Country Girl.

[@jerryboogaloo6375]

My recriminations are festering! Thanks for uploading this. These songs mean an awful lot to me.

[@FrankieParadiso4evah]

An experimental masterpiece of great variety, depth & resonance!

[@jerryboogaloo6375]

All of Pete's work is brilliant but, I think you will agree, there was something really special about Best Cowboys. Rock on, my friend.

[@cadoskey]

Reading Who Am I right now. So happy I found this. Always loved Pete since the first time my older sister turned me on to The Who.

[@orionfoote2890]

I had a cassette of this album back in the day.....I even played it at work all day over and over again....nice to see this doco on here, it brings back some nice (and not so nice ) memories .....good show old chap😃

[@salcatalano2774]

I still have the VHS!...glad I found this...great job....landmark album...a great capture....

[@costantinobriani]

Never seen this video, I love Pete and his solo material for me is excellent music. Unfortunately here miss Somebody Saved Me, one of my preferred Pete's song. Long live Pete!!!

[@SiliconCFO]

I am reading "Who I Am" now, great composer, singer, musician, designer and writer too. Thanks for posting this!

[@JosephCompton66]

Loved his solo stuff more then his work with the who, and the who is my favorite band of all time.

[@carol-mariefleming8689]

This album (yes album!) was and is fantastic. I love Exquisitely Bored, Slit Skirts, Somebody Saved Me, The Sea Refuses No River and oh yeah, Stardom In Acton is brilliant.

[@KnoxZine]

I didn't know this existed. Thanks for posting. It was a nice way to spend a sleepless night.

[@TGiannini007]

This is right after he finally got sober. He looks and sounds great.

[@Fuzzbrain61]

Communicate is a great classic Townshend track. Fashion deficit evident in the early '80s look. A rarity thanks for posting.

[@eugenemcgloin6780]

Haven't seen this video in 35 years. Thanks!

[@zenlee1109]

such a powerful, emotional album. thank you for uploading this rare video!

[@sarahsenseny8180]

This was so cool to watch, I’d only ever seen the face dances part before I had no idea there was more. Pete is the best!

[@dannysnarski2469]

I'ts been years, I'd completely forgotten about this. Thanks for posting-We lived through all this. It is part of our live's soundtracks.

[@borgullet3376]

Thank You 1,000 Times !!!!!!

[@suttreetx]

Lifelong Who/Pete fan, and this is the first time I've ever seen any of this, other than the videos for Stardom in Acton and Slit Skirts. Great, great stuff. A million thanks.

[@johnnybegood108]

thank you you, Lynda. i heard Pete on Philadelphia, USA radio after album was released. he spoke openly about his drinking problem and how he did strenuous rowing on the River Thames, to burn up the alcohol. that's why he has apicnic on the little island. he also had a sailboat and used to throw empty booze bottles at the Parliament bldg (in his book: "Who I am.") his literary idol is TS Eliot, great writer. pete got job as "literary editor" and was given same office and desk that TS Eliot used!! He edited 4 or 5 books, plus publishing his own book, "Horse's Neck." Pete is so prolific, he never stops writing words. it's a wonder he can remember them all. saw him 5 times. hoe to see him again, but the Who aren't scheduled to come to Honolulu. thganks again for posting. great album. great video. john/hawaii

[@mrtulipeater]

Saw this on the tube one summer in Denmark, I must have been 13 or so, and a rabid who fan. Totally random. So I haven't seen it since, maybe, 1983, and remember it like it was yesterday.

[@salcatalano2774]

This album has endured....thanks for this!

[@quad1000]

Just great...and regarding a great piece of rock history. Fantastic album, still a great listen today, all the way through, no clams at all. The mark of a classic.

[@Kairos1955]

Even if it is not one of my favorites albums by Pete Townshend (my fav song writer) I was really happy to discover that documentary I've never heard of. It is really fun to see and listen. Thanks for sharing it.

[@chrismnj]

I love revisiting this album from time to time.. plays beautifully from start to finish.

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

Incredible album. Love Pete

[@vivalapsych]

Thank you!! Been looking for a full version of this for years. Even went so far as to accidentally buy a Beta copy on eBay.

[@Timberbanktunes]

Chinese Eyes has always been my favourite Pete LP. Never seen this.......thanks for sharing it. I just finished reading his book "Who I Am"; both the book and this video provides a deeper perspective to his creativity and genius.

[@peteroberts9844]

I bought this solo album in 1982, still love it....but never seen any of this footage which is great...although dated like me!!!lol

[@atreb56]

Thanks for posting this rare gem. This solo album is my favorite of Pete's.

[@carlin2235]

One of my favorites docummentarys, love Pete's house and yard.

[@andnowinla8402]

I have this on VHS i used to love watching it. Glad I found this again

[@MJSMITTY33]

Pete was and still is a genius !!!!

[@richierugs6544]

Pete, Jerry and Dylan and Lennon are my 4 favorites

[@CUNTSEE]

I've been looking for this doc. for years! THANK-YOU so much Lynd8 for finding it and posting it. You've made many a fan very happy with this post. Long Live Rock and Pete Townshend! P E A C E

[@BadgerPat]

Thank you for putting up this outstanding Pete documentary from many moons ago!

[@Vidiod]

Thank you for uploading - I remember seeing some of this on MTV!

[@jerry_fishguy]

I never saw this rockumentary before...it's absolutely brilliant

[@22humpco]

Thank you for uploading. Haven't seen for a long time. Great album, video.

[@KrystalLake]

I can't count how many times I've watched this amazing documentary. Thanks for sharing this and all your other Townshend stuff, Lynd8! (Also, your Lou Reed stuff. You have great taste in music! ) I'm watching this again today - May 19th - since it is Pete's birthday!

[@jake105]

I was stationed in England for a couple of yrs in the late 80's. I've never seen that done but it sure doesn't surprise me.

[@blagovestdreharski7916]

Stardom in Acton plays in my head every time I chase a bus.

[@The_momur]

Thanks for posting! I never knew this film existed.

[@Luileadolfo]

I always though this film should be released in a box set with the cd plus some rarities.

[@clubstone1]

this is so good....never knew this existed

[@MrPhotodoc]

Who remembers the opening video on MTV back in the day?

[@rapman5363]

Chuck Stark what’s MTV ?

[@matthew4694]

The Buggles!

[@lastdaysguitar]

Must be rough having David Gilmour as a neighbor on the river... ah, the life of rock royalty.

[@SusanFall5588]

Thanks for posting this! Haven't seen it in years! Love it!

[@SwampEye1]

Pete loves talking ... Exquisitely Bored is a great song ... and Slit Skirts

[@LouieNeira]

I've been looking for this for years! It's sped up a bit from the original, tho. Thanks just the same! =D

[@shannonschaerer1010]

Gr8 performance of slit skirt, even with the odd skip a couple of times. Thank You For that!!

[@marthaworc7873]

Thanks for posting this. This told me more about Who Pete Townshend is, or was, than the book he wrote.

[@barrybelotti4493]

Brilliant. No more chainsaw hangovers.

[@glenesis]

Thanks for posting!

[@jonlinscott8182]

Found this today and have been through it several times already. Remarkable, magical and beautiful. Chinese Eyes and Empty Glass are two of my favourite albums of all time. From this one, Somebody Saved Me and Slit Skirts are gems indeed. What brilliant work @chalkiedavies4743. That incredible version of Slit Skirts was captured beautifully.

[@Lynd8]

any relation to Jody?

[@AMEER-114-]

​@@Lynd8 Hey... Can you point me to LIVE versions of WHITE CITY songs... Especially CRASHING BY DESIGN

[@williamlynd3052]

@@AMEER-114- Unfortunately Pete didn't do too many songs from Whit City live. You can find "Secondhand Love", "Face The Face" and "Give Blood" in this concert: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYqzYaSwrJKnmKs and "Hiding Out" here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGPNe4F7lJKYmJo

[@AMEER-114-]

@@williamlynd3052 That is some form of tragedy.... The WHOLE ALBUM should have been performed live.. From Begining to end.. ...back when it was released... To me it is among the very top albums of the whole decade...

[@tonym994]

I knew there was a laff missing in this thing. then came the chain saw. PT was 37.amazing that we think ourselves old long before we get there. nearly 20 yrs. after TheWHO got a record deal ,he looks young .looking back, I can't see MTV execs sitting thru 30 min. of anything, let alone a few minutes of a guy cooking who's better known for wrecking guitars.

[@tonym994]

thanx, Lynde8 .

[@jedygee]

My vacation playlist was Quadrophenia Empty Glass Who Came First and Chinese Eyes.

[@60s70s80sMusicFan]

This is an under-rated solo album that followed Pete's hugely successful Empty Glass. I like that there is a varied collection of music from over 15 years of writing. Some of these tracks precede the album by a decade. The Sea and Exquisitely Bored (In Callifornia) are my fav's on the album . I like Slip Skirts (although it's about fashion...) and Uniforms is a pretty cool quirky tune.

[@johnperlow640]

The Songs I Turn To When The Dark Clouds Block Out The Sun!

[@EV1472002]

This such a great video, I remember getting this as a birthday gift and loved it. Such a shame that Mr. Townshend or the record company will not issue it on DVD. I would also like to see the White City film and documentary and Deep End concert released as DVD's.

[@brianmobley1720]

Got here via Otis Gibbs !! 🐿️😎🐿️

[@kevinkhoy7171]

At this point in Pete's Career 1982/83 It was a Turning Point in a sence? The Who was "Over" as a Creative Outlet. Pete was searching & branching out on a more intellectual path. His Topics for Songs went over many Critic's Head! He's always been our Modern Day Mozart! & Only now 40 yrs later he's being recognized for that!

[@michaelzielinski4030]

He sent me a leather satchel back in 2006 I think I have it safely stored away along with a message he sent me about a Gretsch I bought..I did the merchandising for the Who from 89 till ?? I forget..suck a brilliant..giving man..he found a soulmate in Rachel..what a perfect pair..my dream is just sit with the both of them for a morning coffee…