Pete Townshend Interview on Jimi Hendrix (1973)

Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (/ˈtaʊnzənd/; born 19 May 1945) is an English musician. He is the co-founder, leader, guitarist, second lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the Who, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s.[2][3] Due to his aggressive playing style and innovative songwriting techniques, Townshend's works with the Who and in other projects have earned him critical acclaim.
Townshend has written more than 100 songs for 12 of the Who's studio albums. These include concept albums, the rock operas Tommy (1969) and Quadrophenia (1973), plus popular rock radio staples such as Who's Next (1971); as well as dozens more that appeared as non-album singles, bonus tracks on reissues, and tracks on rarities compilation albums such as Odds & Sods (1974). He has also written more than 100 songs that have appeared on his solo albums, as well as radio jingles and television theme songs.
While known primarily as a guitarist, Townshend also plays keyboards, banjo, accordion, harmonica, ukulele, mandolin, violin, synthesiser, bass guitar, and drums; he is self-taught on all of these instruments and plays on his own solo albums, several Who albums, and as a guest contributor to an array of other artists' recordings. Townshend has also contributed to and authored many newspaper and magazine articles, book reviews, essays, books, and scripts, and he has collaborated as a lyricist and composer for many other musical acts.
In 1983, Townshend received the Brit Award for Lifetime Achievement and in 1990 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Who. Townshend was ranked No. 3 in Dave Marsh's 1994 list of Best Guitarists in The New Book of Rock Lists.[4] In 2001, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award as a member of the Who; and in 2008 he received Kennedy Center Honors. He was ranked No. 10 in Gibson.com's 2011 list of the top 50 guitarists,[5] and No. 10 in Rolling Stone's updated 2011 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.[6] He and Roger Daltrey received The George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement at UCLA on 21 May 2016.[7][8]
Early life and education
Townshend was born in Chiswick, West London, at the Chiswick Hospital, Netheravon Road, in the UK. He came from a musical family: his father, Cliff Townshend, was a professional alto saxophonist in the Royal Air Force's dance band the Squadronaires and his mother, Betty (née Dennis), was a singer with the Sydney Torch and Les Douglass Orchestras.[9] The Townshends had a volatile marriage, as both drank heavily and possessed fiery tempers. Cliff Townshend was often away from his family touring with his band while Betty carried on affairs with other men. The two split when Townshend was a toddler and he was sent to live with his maternal grandmother Emma Dennis, whom Pete later described as "clinically insane". The two-year separation ended when Cliff and Betty purchased a house together on Woodgrange Avenue in middle-class Acton, and the young Pete was happily reunited with his parents.[10] His neighbourhood was one-third Polish, and a devout Jewish family upstairs shared their housing with them and cooking with them-many of his father's closest friends were Jewish.[11]
Townshend says he did not have many friends growing up, so he spent much of his boyhood reading adventure novels like Gulliver's Travels and Treasure Island.[12] He enjoyed his family's frequent excursions to the seaside and the Isle of Man. It was on one of these trips in the summer of 1956 that he repeatedly watched the 1956 film Rock Around the Clock, sparking his fascination with American rock and roll.[13] Not long thereafter, he went to see Bill Haley perform in London, Townshend's first concert.[14] At the time, he did not see himself pursuing a career as a professional musician; instead, he wanted to become a journalist.[15]
Upon passing the eleven-plus exam, Townshend was enrolled at Acton County Grammar School.[16] At Acton County, he was frequently bullied because he had a large nose, an experience that profoundly affected him.[17] His grandmother Emma purchased his first guitar for Christmas in 1956, an inexpensive Spanish model.[18] Though his father taught him a couple of chords, Townshend was largely self-taught on the instrument and never learned to read music.[19] Townshend and school friend John Entwistle formed a short-lived trad jazz group, the Confederates, featuring Townshend on banjo and Entwistle on horns.[20] The Confederates played gigs at the Congo Club, a youth club run by the Acton Congregational Church, and covered Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball, and Lonnie Donegan.[21] However, both became influenced by the increasing popularity of rock 'n' roll, with Townshend particularly admiring Cliff Richard's debut single, "Move It".

[@sodapopinski690]

I will never stop listening to the Who or Pete's solo albums. They are such an important part of my life, for more than 40 years now.

[@greensombrero3641]

Bravo - me too.

[@jamesmueller8812]

Cool😎. And Ur appreciation 4 Jimi? 🕊️❤️😎

[@TropicalLatitude]

Townshend has always seemed to me to be an intellectual disguised as a working class entertainer. What a gift to have that kind of mind making music everyone listened to and still appreciates.

[@YouzTube99]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4iae36orcd8q9k The whole interview is interesting, but that section and a previous response where he says that he just "works for money". IOW, your point about working class is spot on.

[@Penfold-zr2be]

@Vonjela Pete always thought of himself as a rhythm player. Entwistle was the lead guitarist in The Who. Pete said many times The Ox would deliver incredible lead lines on stage but the audience would sometimes think it was something he'd done on the guitar.

[@morrisonreed1]

@Vonjela thats the sad man behind blue eyes

[@cade9173]

@Vonjela he’s better than both

[@Tom-hk6ub]

@@cade9173 As a writer definitely .

[@poprockssuck87]

Jimi was such a burst of creation that every other musician was looking to be inspired.

[@justdone1251]

Keith Moon on drums.... The Ox on bass.... Somebody reply??? History world 🌎 have changed????? Seriously???? Talking about Jimi with that 3 man band. The speakers would EXPLODE after 2 minutes.. The crowd would RIOT. Panties would cover the stage?????

[@daviddemaria3982]

Pete's honesty in admitting he couldn't let Jimi completely whip him, yet he could never hold a candle to him, is great. Spot on although Pete is one of the all-time greats in his own right.

[@cade9173]

Pete is honestly better

[@daviddemaria3982]

@@cade9173 lol

[@paulfabien582]

When he said that it reminded me of this interview with Les Paul about when he came across a better player . . . kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6eulJebZ7uchqM

[@drumlover69]

@@cade9173 Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah roflmao lol lol lol lol hahahahahahahahahahah, wow that's a good one, thanks for the laugh, that was great.

[@wayneelliott7011]

@@cade9173 Delusional.

[@philipm06]

Sounds in the background like they're taking out Keith Moon's empties.

[@misterbonzoid5623]

Lol

[@buddygripple7512]

Pete and Kieth's brandy bottles.

[@wigzme2717]

LOL

[@brocklougheed7986]

ur a phunny guy philip

[@mikereiss4216]

Empty glass(es)? ;)

[@pvbaelen]

It's amazing to look back from 50 years on and regardless of each of their individual strengths or weaknesses as guitar players, all 3 made amazingly unique and historic musical statements that have stood the test of time.

[@juliosanchez95]

Except Eric Clapton is boring

[@blanchestarbong582]

So many puppies these days.

[@ConwayBob]

I quite agree. They're all among the top 100 best guitarists of the past 50 years. There were and are other guitarists who could play faster, but these people -- Jimi, Eric, Pete -- along with a fair number of others -- topped them in sheer musicality. As Pete used to say, "I just try to play clean and tasteful."

[@robertsinnerman7804]

So true

[@spacejockey4746]

49 years. 48 when you wrote that.

[@marting6037]

I don't think anyone's been able to pin-hole Jimi - he was and still is an utterly unique entity.

[@Sr19769p]

Agreed. Jimi seems so humble, almost shy, in interviews yet his talent was bloody phenomenal

[@victorbrown3570]

Been a Jimi fan for over 50 years. The more I learn about Jimi the more intriguing and difficult it is for me to think I understand him. His guitar playing is an amazing thing and his life another amazing thing. I keep learning things about him which cause me to have to readjust my thinking even after all of this time.

[@joeq.public281]

Jimi was innovative.

[@simo4875]

@@victorbrown3570 What do you think of the version of voodoo child he played in Maui? To be honest I never understood what people meant about his genius until hearing that. Of course he always has a unique great sound but that video, especially around two to three minutes in proved to me he was doing something beyond anything else I've heard. Impossible to imagine what he would have done had he been around longer.

[@newmanhere2487]

@@victorbrown3570 yes , it’s very strange. He wasn’t a child prodigy. He didn’t start playing until 15. Then again his playing on the chitlin circuit was plain vanilla. He sounded like most other guitar players in the early 60s. But then there was this incredible leap from 66 to 67. Then again from 68 to 70.. it’s very strange, almost magical. A buddy of his ask him “did you go to the cross roads “ because the 1st leap from 66 to 67 was so amazing….

[@MyBrainIsPrettier]

Really nice candid interview - Pete shows a lot of self-awareness here. Also kudos to a genuinely classy comments section!

[@ashleyember6822]

Thanks....

[@robertsinnerman7804]

Well said

[@carpballet]

In all fairness, any rock musician of that era showing an ounce of self awareness or ability to articulate clearly is held to be a genius.

[@jmarty1000]

Peter Townshend never fails to amaze me whenever I hear him speak. Not to sound cliche', but he's so freaking intelligent, and observant and articulate. It's when his personality shines through, and he's both humble and genius at the same time.

[@madaickiwon292]

Just don't check his hard drive or web history....

[@jmarty1000]

@@madaickiwon292 He fessed up and copped to it and aided the investigation. Were you one of those arrested as a result?

[@golf4ubacknine768]

@@madaickiwon292 casting the first stone

[@CanYouSeeTheRealMe63]

​@@madaickiwon292Well idiot the police did and found nothing

[@artofsoul]

Wow, and wow. I have so much more respect for this man now. Not because he actually fit in that triangle but because it was so honest. Very refreshing, especially in these times.

[@supadupahilton6848]

I think Pete sells himself short. What he did with the Who, you can't really compare to anyone else or anything else. Quadropehenia , Tommy, ..just amazing. Hendrix was his own thing. A beautiful player to be sure!

[@justinschuster4794]

He was a great composer/songwriter. He was a riff guy. Iconic stuff with the same knowledge as a teenage guitarist has always impressed me. To be able to create so much great and iconic music with nothing more than basic music comprehension and tons of creativity. He made playing guitar on stage a show in itself. If those riffs are easy then make it look fuckin good while you play em. So the majority, including groupies, that don't know better or care about all these internally debated musicians critiquing, that is involuntary to most, look for the feel of music overall. And to see Pete going wild up there , windmilling the shit outta a Les Paul, knee-sliding across stage. and power rock stances that have been imitated by countless guitarists after him definitely have a place as a huge contribution right next to the rest. The equivalency isn't comparable in my book, but Townsend's writing was above and beyond, into the upper tiers, and in the genre top tier just depending on people's personal preferences. You do have to take into consideration he was spoken about by so many greats in a way that showed he was revered in a big way so he has his place up there somewhere. I believe he deserves it. Just have to know what you're appreciating which obviously isn't technical prowess. Having the talent of writing like that and being a great lead and being able to perform it alone as a guitarist is Uber rare. Can blame someone for not holding every single trait that would make most great by only being great at one. I thin he's underated because he is usually put up against other guitarist ranked by technicality. It's natural. He's one of those guys that just writes great music and happened to be the guitarist. Different category really.

[@PavethaWay]

He was getting bent over by Jimi

[@carnivaltym]

Pete, in full flight, esp on Live at Leeds, you, sir, gave not a single inch to ANYONE! Legendary guitarist and above all a master songwriter.

[@peterroberts7684]

A very articulate and thoughtful young man back then,very insightful words from the great Pete Townsend 🎸👍👍

[@samsmith4216]

Such an honest appraisal of his differences and also his likeness to Hendrix.

[@ctc1674]

And and that age. Ya know? not in hindsight. Pretty neat to see.

[@dominysynclair]

@@ctc1674 Pete was always honest, and not particularly flattering, about what he thought The Who was, even in the early days. I always disagreed with him.

[@therollband1290]

I remember the first time I saw footage of the Who, My Generation, I thought it was really cool and rebellious, they smashed their instruments, rock n roll! The first time I heard Cream I thought it was an awesome sound, love the woman tone it’s really cool and heavy. The first time I saw footage of Hendrix It changed my life. Honestly, Clapton and Townshend have always been in his shadow and I think they know it. Hendrix was just the greatest. They were contemporaries but not comparators. No one compares to Hendrix, he’s in a class all his own.

[@markreay3421]

amen

[@robertathow1970]

True so true and they knew that they were watching greatness and they all felt blessed because he was that good they respected what was happening as it was special 👍😊

[@jhrockgod]

You couldn't of said that any better my friend 🤘😁

[@jaysantos536]

Very well said sir....

[@allbottledup9513]

Depends on what regard we’re talking. Jimi was, in most people’s opinion, the superior guitarist. However, Pete wipes the floor with him as an overall musician. One of the greatest guitar players, one of the greatest songwriters, a good singer and an outstanding producer. I’d take one Pete over 5 Jimi’s any day.

[@redghettosun]

Pete was being sincere when he first saw Hendrix and felt that same original excitement like when he first saw his original guitar heroes as a teen. Whilst Clapton, Beck and Townsend were battling for supremacy in the UK, up comes a virtuoso who not only knew what was happening guitar wise in London but had already absorbed everything and threw it back at them with some upgrades.

[@macanoodough]

Jimi said nice things about everyone....

[@see4miles67]

All you haters on here comparing. Grow up! PT has never claimed to be a great lead guitar player or bigged himself up . He's a fabulous songwriter first, and a great rhythm player second. He has nothing but respect for Jimi, Eric, and Page etc as they have for him.

[@jamesdiamond5339]

Yes, Pete never seemed like a "lead guitarist" to me but his rhythm playing and song writing are impeccable.

[@waltergibbons422]

If you play guitar, you know how good Pete is. If you dont, then you think Henrdix and Clapton are. It wasnt the shredding, he wasnt that, but his guitar playing was exciting, power chording on 10, and his guitar parts were like compositions. He came up with some of the coolest guitar stuff ever in rock n roll. He doesnt get enough respect as guitar player

[@DexterHaven]

Pete's reputation was gold to me after "Slip Kid." He wrote the whole song himself and played all guitars on it except bass. Great ear for sound! That's more impressive than fret-tapping, teeth playing, bar-bending, or any showy guitar tricks.

[@drbooks]

In all Pete’s talents as songwriter, arranger, producer, I’d say guitarist comes in 4th. I’m a huge fan of PT - those are the things I admire the most

[@Studio-62]

@@drbooks you can hear Townsends excellent lead playing on the unedited Young Mans Blues from Live At Leeds.. He was pretty adept. I think he just never made guitar solos a big part of his music. But the leads he did record were always perfect for the tune.

[@infiniteuniverse9528]

Pete Townshend's "Bit" was as one of the greatest songwriters in rock history. "I leave a trail of rooted people Mesmerised by just the sight, The few I touch are now disciples Love as One I Am the Light..."

[@RSTI191]

If Elvis was the King and Chuck Berry was the Father of Rock and Roll, Pete Townsend was the perfect Son.

[@drj602]

😆👍

[@ianstuart5660]

He was a sensation. Self described irony there!

[@drj602]

😝🤣 ❤️Tell it my brother!

[@drj602]

So many intelligent comments coming from the Pete Townshend fans. 🤔 🎸 ✍️

[@heentlasaa9974]

Jimi Hendrix chewed Gum; played behind his Neck, Back & between his Legs, Did Sumersaults, Played Rhythm, Lead & Sang simultaneously, plus he was Songwriter who considered Bob Dylan a Master Lyricist and studied his Compositions. Before Hendrix went Solo he played backup for Soul and R&B Acts, "Marvin Gaye, King Curtis, JackIe Wilson, James Brown, Curtis Knight, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Little Richard, BB King, Ike & Tina Turner, Sam Cooke and The Isley Brothers." One has to know Chords, Different Time signatures and Inverted Chords to Function in Soul and R&B Bands. Jimi Hendrix also jammed with alot of Jazz Musicians and jammed with Miles Davis, John Mclaughlin, Larry Young, Roland Kirk, Les Paul, Stanley Clarke. Jimi loved Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Les Paul, Eddie Durham, Joe Pass, Barney Kessel and Saxophone Players Lester Young, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Wayne Shorter, Stan Getz and Countless other Jazz Greats. Eddie Kramer said Jimi loved Classical music and drew inspiration from Handel, Bach, Mozart & Beethoven. Jimi Hendrix drew from different Genres and Fused them, he could'nt understand why Purists got mad at him for mixing it up.

[@user-qg2uf8jp3h]

Jimi also played with the NYC trash rock band DONALD TRUMP & HIS MAGAERS, but quit that band after Jan-6.

[@pallhe]

Interesting to see him analysing that period so shortly afterwards.

[@Losrandir]

Back when things used to happen. Now 10 years changes nothing.

[@hughmanatee7657]

Pete and The Who were unique, no one sounded or looked like them-great showmen and some great, original songs and instrumentals that will endure.

[@whoneverknow9588]

Saw them in 67, up front, just 18 feet away ~~

[@sralyn]

And all good looking in their own way.

[@phillarsson8253]

Pete wasn't the one of the greatest guitar players of all time, but he knew his other skills such as composing and songwriting and thanks to that we've got all this great music from the Who! They were so unique indeed and I rate them above the Stones.

[@tonymiller6847]

See me, Feel me, Touch me, Heal me. Daltrey sang it over and over again and stirred up the crowd like Bob Marley used to RIP BM.

[@sralyn]

@@tonymiller6847 And he does it so whogasmically

[@kundalini6225]

These classic Artists are exactly that..gifted artists, and one is really not better than the other since their styles are completely different, and each unique. Like comparing Picasso to Rembrandt both great painters, with completely different styles to say one is better is just your preference to the type. Gilmore, Page, Hendrix, Santana, Townsend, Eddie Van Halen, and many others etc. all absolute magic, and all very different evoking unique & varied emotions. Each has an individual offering that none can duplicate. Just glad I grew up during those great decades....

[@Jeff-bz6jp]

I barely missed all the Beatles hub bub growing up, but I was old enough to get the Who. I consider myself very, very lucky as I rate them as one of the very few truly greats bands in my lifetime. Townshend wrote and rocked many songs that still hold up today. Long live rock.

[@jeffbauer3425]

Pete wrote some epic albums . Quadrophenia is one of my favorites. I dreamed of seeing that performed live , and finally did in 95 I think it was . I was blown away to see that. Great venue here in Florida, at an amphitheater. Unfortunately my sister in the whole group of us took a qualude or something similar and passed out during the whole show!😳😵😴 I still remind her of missing it all .

[@micry8167]

I found throughout the years I enjoy most interviews and sound bites from Pete. He’s matter-of-fact and legit, be they more humble or more self-important proclamations.

[@BrianKishreviews]

I watched this slapped together Jimi documentary so many times growing up so seeing these additional interviews are really cool, thank you!

[@seanwinkel8890]

Pete Townsend is one of my foundational idols. I went from jumping around with a whiffle bat light sabre to pure rocker from the moment I saw "The Kids Are Alright" in the theater. Never looked back.

[@matteovrizzi]

amazing how modestly Pete speaks of himself, considering he's one of the all time rock greats

[@PageMarker1]

Pete wrote Tommy at age 24 & Quadrophenia at 28. Preferred Jimi's Bold as Love to his first album, he wrote some great lyrics also. Jimi was more of a one man show, The Who is/was more than just Pete. RIP Moonie!

[@evanchristie9778]

Mitch Mitchell aint no slouch

[@PageMarker1]

@@evanchristie9778 He died 12 years ago at age 62, RIP! I don't know drumming, but Mitch does receive high marks, but Jimi was always center stage. Cheers!

[@tonymiller6847]

I loved Keith Moon, Too bad he was so self destructive (Entwhistle too and so many others of that era.

[@jameswiblishauser9745]

pete townsend gives one of the most interesting interviews in my opinion.

[@tekannon7803]

What is amazing is Pete Townshend's dead-on humility and never trying to be anything more than what he is. It must have been halucinating to have bumped elbows with people like Hendrix and Clapton and the other lords of the forbidden art of rock n' roll. All I know is that what The Who and all the great musicians and artists of those strange and glorious times did was allow people like me to go out there and try to do the same thing. I have failed miserably, but it's been the greatest part of my life being a failure.

[@andrewroyal5772]

I agree. Straight up

[@jdemarco]

You're not a failure. The only thing you failed to do was being lucky enough to be noticed.. These people , while talented, happened to be destined for fame. They were, for the most part, fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. There are many gifted people out there whose skill levels surpass theirs, but never achieve fame. You should never measure a person's talent by their success...

[@nospoon17]

@@jdemarco spot on !

[@ClaudioMartella]

Not sure he was being humble. He straight says that Jimi had an edge on Clapton but not on him.

[@santiagobeneth8543]

@@jdemarco What if the biggest talent is to be able to find the key to open that strange thing called luck. Just to think a little bit... But I absolutely agree, I liked a lot of artists less known that mainstream ones.

[@doug941]

This clip is amazing! 1973 ...I'm seeing it for the first time today! Thank you! I'm glad to have finally heard Pete's take on the greatest guitarist to ever live! RIP James Marshall Hendrix

[@ror312gallery19]

in reality, creating/performing music is not a competition. cheers to all the unsung players out there, love from italy, robert

[@bradleybrown8399]

It's the most best fun ever.

[@robertbradley6865]

All things considered, what a time to be alive. Music was transitioning all the bands around at that time made the others strive to be better. Thanks all for the library of music

[@terrygreuel5296]

Right On!

[@drj602]

Yes, and that was quickly put an end to because,we can’t have anymore of that!

[@Tracey..H]

I just got the Pete’s autograph, took 40 years of wanting. Ty Pete bout time mate

[@groverbaker6404]

Pete was the great songwriter...loved Jimi...but I'm a who fan forever!!

[@RSTI191]

Pete was a writer and a poet.. much, much harder. Not one of his peers from that time could ever dream of writing Tommy or Quadrophenia let alone actually write it..

[@baliscotsurf]

R n R greatest guitarist ever. Lead & rhythm ..live & studio. It's Pete. His writing . live shows and groundbreaking style AND BODY OF WORK IMHO and based on personal taste Pete's at the top .

[@drj602]

His guitar work was masterful.

[@mikelistman5263]

Gifted composer, guitarist, singer...never get tired of his creations. God bless him!

[@nezbit8989]

Pete you’re responsible for some of my most treasured sentimental musical favourites not least of all quadrophenia 👌

[@joshb23]

I think Townshend is an often greatly underrated guitar player. His bandmates were three of the greatest on their instruments - THE greatest for many! - and his playing made each and every song better. His choices, his feel, subtle or pompous, always added to the song. That is no small feat, even for the best players! I mean how do you not get in the way when Keith and John are blazing, let alone ADD energy and creativity?! He was a full 25% of one of the greatest bands ever.

[@Skammee]

He is an excellent acoustic player of course

[@georgeaharonian9078]

i think he's just being humble

[@smiffm428]

@@Skammee As well as electric.

[@briantjepkema7758]

Townshend was also a genius. Hendrix simply loved the album Tommy.

[@michaelgaskell7408]

Where did you hear,or read,that Hendrix loved the album Tommy!!?

[@briantjepkema7758]

@@michaelgaskell7408 It was from somebody who met with Hendrix in court in Toronto. Apparently he raved about Tommy. Still, I'm quite sure Hendrix would have said this to the media too but I can't give you any reference. Hendrix, as I am sure you know, toured with The Who. Also, Tommy was a huge hit and very popular with many people.

[@vitalsecucom]

Magnifique ! Et bravo pour cette chaine you tube incroyable !! Je me régale, merci :)

[@drew699]

Townshend was never a lead player per se, his style is much more textural & no worse for that. Townshend brought his own game.

[@williamsullivan7635]

Townsend is one of the "greatest living guitarist of all time"but man he is, and has always been,"So damn man hard on himself"man give yourself a break seriously, Townsend always gets down about his set at Woodstock, and I personally think it is in "the top 5,live rock n roll performances of all time" give yourself a break man because when it comes to great guitarists, you are definitely in the conversation!

[@sniffableandirresistble]

Saw the who in 89 at rfk stadium in D.C it was this epic like 6 hour show culminating with them doing baba o'riley and rogers holding the note screaming "teenage wasteland" and boom all the lights go off and they make this huge rainbow 🌈 over the stadium. Was really cool and completely mind blowing 🤯

[@johnnyd63]

The Who in 1989? Townshend called it "The Who On Ice".

[@shellsbignumber2]

In a roundabout way I think Pete was admitting Jimi was on a completely different level to him and any other guitarists.

[@aaronaaron5968]

no he wasnt haha

[@BobSmith-zj5lt]

wow. Pete was honest, brilliant. love him

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

Possibly the only honest confrontation of Jimi that I've heard. All the guitarists of the day felt this way. But Pete's the only one to admit it. They all loved Jimi. And they all feared him.

[@williammcgonigle9799]

Pete always said Entwistle was the lead string in the band. Pete just strummed the J200

[@skiziskin]

I like what my college roommate used to say about Pete. "Pete Townshend knows everything there is to know about rock and roll."

[@greensombrero3641]

Quadrophenia is one of the greatest works of all time. A masterpiece. How about that on your resume'.

[@Head318Hunter]

Opera rock ?? I'll pass

[@shaneconnelly7943]

Have no doubt about it pal👍✌️👊

[@blackmore4]

@@Head318Hunter Totally agree. I've got nothing against 'rock opera' per se, or any genre or notion, but apart from a few tracks, I think Quadrophenia's pretty unbearable.

[@CanYouSeeTheRealMe63]

​@Head318Hunter Opera rock?! Quadrophenia is The Who at their absolute best. Powerhouse songs and playing--The Real Me, Love Reign O'er Me, Sea and Sand, Drowned. Doesn't get any better!

[@CanYouSeeTheRealMe63]

​@@blackmore4Sad world you live in. Quadrophenia is perfection on all levels!

[@LIGHTintheHALLS]

Seeing Pete’s injured right hand makes me wonder how his windmill hand survived. 🔊💨

[@johnstadler9643]

Pete Townsend doesn't get enough credit I think

[@tonymiller6847]

I never saw Jimi live because I was with three young women at Woodstock and they all got tired of the scene (you know- no food,no restrooms, all mud, etc.) and we all left just before Joe Cocker performed on Sunday afternoon, but I saw The Who several times and loved their show.

[@aladee1]

I feel like people get hung up on virtuoso playing. We're talking about Apples and Oranges. Townshend's guitar tone, particularly his experiments with feedback and distortion must've been HUGELY influential on Hendrix.

[@mikehemens9359]

Jimi was into Syd Barrets playing as well and considered him a peer in experimental guitar.

[@bozotheclown935]

PT the best historian of the music in the 60's. Well done Pete...

[@glenkepic3208]

Great. Too bad Monterey wasn't mentioned. Mutual respect but "if i follow the Who, I'm pulling out all the stops''. I think Jimi ruled that night. Whole set was fantastic.

[@Martalk]

The who's set had far more ligit emotion and classic Who spur of the moment. I think Jimi should have just been his amazing musician-ship self instead of stooping to stage theatrics which The Who clearly were the masters of at the time.

[@carpballet]

1965ish to 1973ish was simply a transformative time for music. Pop music, of course, in particular.

[@davederoux3361]

Townshend was every bit the genius Hendrix was. That Who catalogue along with his solo stuff rivaled the best of the Beatles, Hendrix and Zeppelin. And he wrote All the words and music. One of the top 5 musicians of all time.

[@michaelmarron8441]

I'm not sure he was quite that good!

[@davederoux3361]

@@michaelmarron8441 You don't have to be, bro...but rest assured he was.

[@bradschaeffer5736]

Townshend once said he was challenged to encapsulate his work in seven words. Pete said: "The music is mine, the words yours."

[@adamc1272]

"Be kind, be real, or get the fuck out of my face" - Pete Townshend

[@Mikevdog]

I loved all three for different reasons

[@gibbynyc6482]

The best reply on the thread.

[@heftosprod]

He's dead right. And to everybody here banging on about PT's ego.. he runs himself well and truly down in this interview. If you cant see that, you just aint getting it.

[@greensombrero3641]

he wrote quadrophenia - and that is a great thing on the resume

[@heftosprod]

@@greensombrero3641 and the rest of their repertoire...

[@Martalk]

Some things to note.... When Jimi was first signed he was signed by Pete's managers, When he came to the UK he said I want the same Guitars Pete uses, The same amps Pete uses etc. Pete introduced him to Eric, Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, Rod Stuart, Chris Stamp etc. These are Jimi's words btw. Then he branched out and made a quick name for himself. But Pete in various interviews describes Jimi as the "Guy who will put us all out of business" or "The next genius since Beethoven". Townshend in the majority of this interview.... If you read between the lines (If Townshend knows it or not) is saying that Jimi really looked up to him for a time, and that He (Townshend) has a strange guitar style not easily identified. Although, I admit, Townshend does like to talk, And take the scene, especially in interviews as I have seen with his bandmates. But he (Despite being drunk) is not pumping his own ego. He is just rambling. which he is famous for. And rambling, for someone with his history is better than silence.

[@heftosprod]

@@Martalk moreover, anybody who doesn't understand that the Who are one of the absolute cornerstones of rock music doesn't know their art. They blazed several major trails in rock, influences countless others and continued to do so for the duration of the original lineup. It's just a fact.

[@marcoevans2155]

Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend is an English guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is co-founder, leader, guitarist, secondary lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the Who, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s. Townshend has written more than 100 songs for 12 of the Who's studio albums. Wikipedia Born: May 19, 1945 (age 76 years), Chiswick, London, United Kingdom Height: 6′ 0″ Spouse: Karen Townshend (m. 1968-2009)

[@christopherschullo6251]

Bar back is working his ass off...

[@blujay9191]

Listening to the racket I thought they were in a recycling center until the camera pulled back.

[@misterschubert3242]

I've heard less clanging from trolleys...

[@quinnrollen]

Probably cleaning up after Keith's partying..

[@SL-vi4tk]

You can tell Pete learned a lot from his musician/entertainer father, Cliff...

[@Kashed]

I have a whole new respect for Townsend now.

[@TweedSuit]

Sounds like Keith Moon in the background.

[@donchangoleon4019]

Dicho por el mismo Townshend que Hendrix lo buscaba para asesorarse sobre la Retroalimentación, el Feedback la Distorsión. En Pocas Palabras, Townshend tenía las Armas pero Hendrix el Gran Talento.

[@itkojecockot]

Townshend was offcourse never on Jimmy's level technically, but that doesn't change the fact he is one of the best songwriters in rock history

[@DeadManPutting]

Pluease Jimi used lots of distortion

[@henrygvidonas9573]

@@DeadManPutting Yeah, all that _distortion_ in "Little Wing", "One Rainy Wish", "The Wind Cries Mary", or the flamenco inspired part in the long solo improvisation at Woodstock... Practically death metal, innit? Gah... Hendrix and Townshend were/are two of the best rhythm players ever. Seek out any recording of Townshend solo with an acoustic guitar ("Drowned" for example) and be prepared to have your mind blown. Hendrix really never got into serious acoustic playing because he already started out playing electric in bands, but he left us enough material with tons of clean sounds that proves without any doubt that he didn't need distortion to kick everybody's ass. He rarely, if ever, got to use overdrive when he was on the Chitlin Circuit backing soul and R&B acts. His main amps for his whole career before he went to England were Fender Twin Reverbs, even in NYC with the "Blue Flames"! He practised for hours and hours unplugged, too.

[@JoshLousk]

@@henrygvidonas9573 so glad you said that. i always say that. anyone that says that crap hasn’t heard jimis incredible records and needs to educate themselves before they talk.

[@JoshLousk]

@@henrygvidonas9573 people don’t realize hendrix practically INVENTED the use of distortion on guitar as we know it today. he wasn’t the first to distort his tone but he was the first to apply it in such a creative manner. This guy has no clue what he’s talking about!

[@JoshLousk]

@@henrygvidonas9573 people don’t realize hendrix practically INVENTED the use of distortion on guitar as we know it today. he wasn’t the first to distort his tone but he was the first to apply it in such a creative manner. This guy has no clue what he’s talking about!

[@slide4180]

Pete was Jimi's rival as a showman, a mod; obviously not as an instrumentalist.

[@Bellabaddi]

He bashed his guitar like a child, Jimi did it like a sorcerer!!

[@kevinstimelsky673]

@@Bellabaddi Pete and The Who are a million miles better musically, song writing and stage presents!! Grow up!!

[@easysaid9647]

@@kevinstimelsky673 sit back in ur rocker gramps

[@heftosprod]

Townshend went on from the late 60s a profoundly great instrumentalist and composer and producer. There's no way rock would've developed the way it did without him. He's every bit as important and Hendrix and several other big names as well. His and the Who's influence on the genre is indelible. If you don't know that, your rock history and smarts need a work over.

[@heftosprod]

As an instrumentalist... perhaps only in one direction, the guitar, not that he was any kind of slouch on that either - encyclotronic.com/articles/articles/who-arp-you-pete-townshends-rock-n-roll-electronica-r25/?fbclid=IwAR30zknmlFG8YhpxAdi_ysHaJWaN9sZBDmj-RjuQ5_jkd9GnOlcm3Fd8iMo

[@mikemargerum6441]

Pete's got nothing to apologize for. The WHO had some amazing albums. The sum is greater than the parts sometimes.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Pete auditioning for the Bay City Rollers here.

[@simontaylor2319]

Noted, but still my favourite guitarist

[@vincentfisher1603]

FUNNY!

[@tasosdiaforetico7377]

Or as a cowboy

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@tasosdiaforetico7377 Maybe a used car salesman in Reno

[@neilog747]

Artists don't 'do' fashion, because to do fashion is to follow. And if you're following, you're not really expressing yourself. For this reason, he wasn't possibly auditioning for the Bay City Rollers. I would have loved to see him perform live with them though, twirling his guitar, while he casually murdered the tune and vibe, of 'Bye Bye Baby'.

[@Xythantiops]

To this day Pete Townshend is still a massively underrated guitarist.

[@TheNobbynoonar]

Anyone who can wear a jacket like that while being serious gets my full respect!

[@m-funkshun]

Lol. None of these guys held a candle to Jimi. And that's just testimony to how good Jimi was! While the British players of the mid and late 60's established the bar, Jimi just went right over the top of it!

[@DrDommm]

This is cool to hear Pete commemt on Jimi

[@adambinnie1332]

Mega clean up bottles sounds in the background....

[@antrygis1]

The recording came out in 73 but the film was not out at the midnight shows like Berkely or Woodstock, etc. It was splintered but great. The interviews captured the time before it slipped away.

[@timmoser9114]

He borrowed the blazer from Judge Smails

[@johnhaydock1577]

Excellent Caddyshack reference my friend....

[@lucasoheyze4597]

He's probably also got the kind of hat you get a free bowl of soup with. 😉

[@wagggle]

sounds like the crew is cleaning up after keith

[@tattyshoesshigure5731]

Interesting interview with Pete... there’s another part of it where he speaks of Jimi not wanting to follow the Who on stage at Monterey, which does sound unbelievable unless you saw the Who live at the peak of their powers. They were one of the greatest live bands of all time imo!

[@deathshead357]

Neither wanted to follow the other on stage. They flpped a coin to see who would go on first.

[@tattyshoesshigure5731]

@@deathshead357 Pete won the coin toss.

[@deathshead357]

@@tattyshoesshigure5731 Yeah, which inspired Jimi to come up with an idea to steal the show by lighting his guitar on fire and "sacrificing" it.....so I guess Pete kind of lost out in the end.

[@tattyshoesshigure5731]

@@deathshead357 Pete won the toss & didn’t have to follow Jimi - I mean who could (no pun intended!)

[@twangbarfly]

@@deathshead357 It wasn't Jimi who came up with the idea - that was his manager, Chas Chandler....

[@johnwright291]

His answer to jimmy was the windmill strumming of his instrument.

[@neilmoneymaker4875]

For Townsend to say anything at all favorable towards any guitarist of his era during said era alive or dead is almost unbelievable. Hendrix is the only one I know of him ever complementing.

[@brucerabideau2872]

Because Pete and Eric both experienced a thing the world did Jimi. The world still recovering and probably never will ✌🏻🐄🎸🍻🦫🕵🏻‍♂️🔝🌏☮️👽💊💉♋️🎈🎏🌋🛸🐄✌🏻

[@richardnieto1423]

You can't ever compare your self with Jimi Hendrix

[@johndardi1334]

No but you gotta understand that guitar players especially back then had a very “gun slinger” type of mentality. People were calling Eric Clapton “god” lol. Then all of the sudden this black guy shows up outta nowhere and just stuns everyone playing guitar like no one had ever heard before. The guy’s up there playing with his teeth, humping his guitar and setting it on fire. Making it sound like bombs being dropped and a machine gun being fired. Or like an animal being sacrificed. It was insane stuff that caught everyone off guard. Of course Clapton and Townshend, Page and everyone else was worried. That’s how they made a living and now you got this guy that might put you out of business. Send you home packing. You couldn’t help but compare yourself to him and like Pete said…fight back lol.

[@richardnieto1423]

There were countless great guitar player's back around the the time Jimi Hendrix was a force of nature but they had no choice but to humble because Jimi Hendrix scared them

[@johndardi1334]

@@richardnieto1423 You’re absolutely right. Everyone had a right to be scared and if they said they weren’t they were lying. We only get to watch grainy videos imagine seeing him in person back then. Imagine feeling your clothes vibrate from his Marshall stack. Must’ve been mind blowing.

[@richardnieto1423]

The reason I say this is my brother's friend didn't get drafted to Vietnam so he went to see Hendrix at Woodstock I'm going to be 64 years in June and I saw a lot of everything family members were sending back photos of friend's brother's but they were listening to Credence chambers bro's Hendricks all along the watchtower I remember I never thought that the world was in such chaos

[@alexscott730]

Townsend rockin' the Amish Gypsy look....lol

[@betsyduane3461]

He's an air conditioned gypsy

[@c3mac55]

The periwinkle blue caravan is just outside..

[@sralyn]

Hate to break this to you, but it's TOWNSHEND.

[@alexscott730]

@@sralyn I'm getting spelling tips from someone who can't seem to spell their own name🤣

[@smartluck100]

@@sralyn Thank God for the grammar police…

[@skinner5334]

Chairman Townshend never disappoints.⚡️

[@nov20five]

The thing about Clapton, Townshend, Hendrix and a few others (eg: Knopfler) is you can tell immediately that it’s them. So many other guitarists sound the same. Talented, but the same.

[@worldnotworld]

Fripp, too.

[@tonymiller6847]

Terry Kath maybe too?

[@nov20five]

@@tonymiller6847 sad ending to Tony’s life.

[@brucerabideau2872]

Jimi never sounds the same he would play the same song twice in one show and it would be completely different every time ✌🏻🐄🎸👽

[@nov20five]

@@brucerabideau2872 Totally agree! I read somewhere that at Electric Ladyland studios Jimi recorded a particular solo over 80 times trying to "get it right." The engineer remarked that each take was perfection. Yet Jimi heard the flaw in every one. Still, you can't mistake his sound.

[@TuberOnTheLoose]

Probably Jimi's greatest compliment to Townshend was the fact that he would use the same gear that Pete was using.

[@wallyb55232]

SG Specials? Hi Watt amps? No!

[@TuberOnTheLoose]

@@wallyb55232 I should have specified that I was talking about the amps. If you do a little research you will find that Jimi did indeed seek out Townshend for amp advice and used Marshall, Sound City, and Hiwatts after Townshend showed the way.

[@Fuzzbrain61]

TownsHend ! Interesting clip.

[@harveyg104]

Jimi Hendrix did figure out Pete Townsend. TOO easy, not even close...😮😮😮

[@davidpetersen1]

A very "together" Pete Townsend showing his understanding of influences and the depth of talent of others. He has always been a thinker, for sure. I'm curious about the bandaging on his wrist though.

[@tdunph4250]

Well, Mr Who fan...Which arm does Pete do the "Wind-mill" with? (or Mooney and him got into some extra-curricular activities the night before)

[@davidpetersen1]

​@@tdunph4250 ah yes.. The windmill thing. Slipped my mind. Not enough RAM available to store that nugget in my brain.. lol Not a rabid fan. Saw them a couple of times in the 80's. timeless rock anthems though.

[@moeb434]

Yep. Whilst doing the windmill, Pete impaled his hand on the whammy bar of his guitar!

[@JacobKMusics]

@david petersen This interview was filmed immediately after The Who shot the “Join Together” video, during the filming of that, Pete cut his hand and it was bandaged. If you watch that video, you’ll find Pete wearing the same bandage on the same hand as he is in this video. Supposedly, Pete downed a bottle of brandy before doing this interview after The Who’s video was shot.

[@davidpetersen1]

@@JacobKMusics 😎😎😎 Nice! Thanks

[@user-gm5by6dj3d]

At least he is honest.

[@marcoevans2155]

He basically had utter respect for the blues and it's latest front man

[@babyshambler]

A brilliant man.

[@fposmith]

Pete, you were and are every bit as good as Hendrix ! Different, but every bit as good. Time has proven that.

[@thatismattjohnsonjohnson3146]

Pete was just as good as Jimi, plus polished with an edge you just can’t duplicate. Never should ever bow down to any guitarist let alone Hendrix.

[@martysparacino6682]

Gimme a break!

[@martysparacino6682]

He couldn't shine Jimi's shoes!

[@thatismattjohnsonjohnson3146]

@@martysparacino6682 ridiculous

[@randyriches2530]

My dream concert was to see the Who and Hendrix when they were playing on the same card. My understanding was they switched off who opened and closed the shows. So whoever opened would tear up the stage and walk off and tell the other closer, "it's all yours"!!!

[@earthshinerush3842]

Late 69’ early 70’ ish yeah.

[@markJaggi]

I think Pete sells himself short here. He was such a great guitarist and much better than he was given credit for back in the day. His lead playing was amazing and never overdone...probably due to his being the main song writer so the guitar has to serve the song and not the other way around.

[@terryburns7500]

The man certainly has the gift of gab!

[@michaelmarron8441]

😤