Pete Townshend - Slit Skirts - 1984

Live with Phil Collins on drums

[@royharper2003]

I'm 54 and still wandering in a haze

[@yacawntmiss]

Townsend truly appreciates Collins' drumming in this song. That's pretty cool to see. That little grin appears then he's back to business.

[@Jiggs2u2]

"No one respects the flame quite like the fool whos badly burned" Simply the best!

[@80snewwavekid]

It actually is Mick, after japan dissolved he did the Dali's Car project and was highly sought after for session work. This is taken from one of the Prince's Trust performances. And to also think, Pete's early 80's albums featured the rhythm section of what would become Big Country, spotting quality players indeed

[@tae-yunlee7658]

first heard this at 22 years old, now going to be "just 34 years old" in a few months and this song just hits harder and deeper. beautiful song

[@HamCubes]

That bassist is killing it! Bravo, brother!

[@RB-vf1uo]

Mick Karn, legend on fretless bass and a unreal stage presence RIP

[@spikegenalo7994]

Theres a great moment at 3:15 where Pete looks over with appreciation at Phil Collins beautiful drum roll going into the second chorus.

[@quad5186]

Better late than never but I love to notice stuff like that!

[@rumcoke9123]

2 frreaks of music. Amazing

[@markbaim6125]

What an awesome song. Pete rocks and Phil plays drums so effortlessly like the sticks were part of hands from birth. Fantastic!

[@markbaim6125]

Pete with Phil Collins! Awesome! Phil makes playing the drums look so effortlessly. Glad he's back on tour. Hope he stops off in Atlanta!

[@markjohnston1813]

Good to see Phil Collins on drums.and playing with probably the best song writer in music history,

[@gustavodean-gomes2926]

I think it's Japan's Mick Karn on bass. An amazing bass player.

[@RayNDeere]

Correct. And Midge Ure on guitar

[@lettots]

Also for those who don't know. Phil Collins is an excellent progressive drummer. just listen to trick of the tail, and the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. by the way that's mid 70's Genesis for anybody that's too young to know.

[@joelinney8900]

lettots --- Left-handed drummer+also sang. Phil's a very talented individual.

[@luismarioguerrerosanchez4747]

I'm a fan of Collins as the drummer of Genesis, as a singer songwriter, not so much.

[@ronprewoznik3566]

❤ Love 80’s Pete!

[@viciouskelly]

My favorite Townshend song, Bonus to see Phil on the drums, he's my favorite

[@RayNDeere]

Just for clarification, this is from the 1982 Prince's Trust Concert in Birmingham. Status Quo, Robert Plant, Madness and Jethro Tull were also on the bill. Phil Collins also did a solo set.

[@luismarioguerrerosanchez4747]

And Kate Bush!

[@fredcory4121]

I woke up with this song in my head this morning.Townsend's voice is clear and accurate and it's easy to see the band loves having Phil Collins sitting in. IMHO what I call "war-baby bands" have shown to have a lasting impact. In particular, the music of The Who, Pink Floyd, and of course the Beatles is steeped in the memory of the hardships of wartime England.

[@maxxbenzz7842]

Love the drums in this song

[@taylorstowe2579]

Oh how I love Pete and this song.

[@peacemonger1967]

Great song. Loved this when I was 15 years old. A lost classic. Where does the time go...I`m older now than Pete was then!

[@toddbaker7381]

Pete is a top shelf musician! So much energy!

[@richardzollinger4750]

Pete's written many a banger. This is just one of many!

[@dersh65]

I love Pete!!! The greatest composer of ALL time. There is no equal!!!

[@rjeman2000]

First time I've seen Pete on anything but guitar. He sounds awesome on this tune. And not a bad backing band. Pete is the man...

[@Mouse2113]

what a line up

[@michaelkarldozlhofer9201]

Mein gott. 1984 war des. Power pur.

[@Bentom86]

It really gets tiresome to see how people to this very day just continue to disrespect & criticize Phil Collins. Someone here had the audacity to say that Townsend (at 3:18) had to give him a cue to tone down his drums. Please!!! Anybody can clearly see how much Pete loved what Phil was doing, and a pro like him knows exactly what it takes to drive the rhythm & doesn't need cues from anybody. Much of the Phil attacks are for the overwhelming success he had, which only speaks to how this society tends to build great performers up only to tear them down. But rip him if you want to...the man is BRILLIANT, and sadly, his body today is paying a painful price for that brilliance.

[@jamesgray7064]

Phil is a fantastic musician...I think some of his politics have led to the negativity. I agree 100% Pete was smiling on the tomtom roll :)

[@habyss]

His voice could be heard anywhere and everywhere for a long time. It was an irritant.

[@Bentom86]

The Beatles, Motown, & Elvis have been heard anywhere & everywhere for more than 50 years now, so I guess they must be an irritant too. To me, that kind of longevity is about greatness.

[@jehugo66]

Bentom86 All the stars were begging to "Collab" with Phil at this time. He's just suffering from "Bee Gee-itis," So popular in a former era that he inevitably become culturally unfashionable. All things come around again and like The Bee Gees eventually became respected for changing music in their work, I see signs that it is happening for Phil Collins now. Watch and see. He will ultimately be revered in Music History, as he should be.

[@davidsauer5831]

Bentom86 I thought Pete was just loving Phil's drum work and smiled and nodded at Phil because they were loving the moment..

[@booeyats1]

Mick Karn from Japan and Midge Ure from Ultravox correct! One of three songs perfromed by Pete also were Let My Love Open The Door and Higher!

[@jamesurquhart1379]

Beauty...!!!

[@craggy1969]

Midge Ure on guitar i noticed..love it, great PT song, Chinese Eyes is a great cd too..

[@buickmonte]

hell yeah...Midge Ure

[@aliciacampos5789]

Wow. Wow. So good. Thanks for posting.

[@CaptainRowsdower]

'heart to hang onto' is an abosolutely beautiful song.

[@federipal]

Brilliant!!! The most versatile musician.

[@mlmr11]

This guy blows me away!! Look up pure musician in the dictionary and there's Pete's picture!!!

[@randyb2505]

Great version!!!!

[@msn5864]

He's now cool and stifled and it's she who has to beg. Fine Imagery!

[@jehugo66]

Marty Knowles-You're spot on about the story/meaning to this song-reminds me of my 10+ year marriage! "I know that when she thinks of me...She thinks of HIM," and who can miss "Lovers now estranged, avoid catching each other's eyes...." He sings it like he's been there-right down to the lines about reduced male libido of middle age, while "it's SHE who has to Beg..," and "Recriminations fester..." Wow! What an emotive song. A Masterpiece mix of lyrics and music! BTW I read the comments @Phil here-he ROCKS! As a drummer myself, I like how he adds his own flourishes to this live performance. Mark Breziecki was masterful on the studio recording, while Phil has added what should be brought to a live performance. How many drummers do you see who can also sing lead in their own band and solo performances and is not in the background?

[@Sox7703]

It says 1984 but i think you're right it must be from 1982. He did a few solo concerts in england in '82.

[@melissatyree566]

I have a list of the top 5 people I would like to meet and have a discussion with and Pete Townsend is in my top five. I think he is fascinating 😊

[@lettots]

this is my favorite Townshend song from his solo career, next is face to face. I'm a guitar player and for the first time today I actually sat down and started going over the intro to behind blue eyes. His guitar playing can be UnOrthodox at times. I don't mean that in a bad way. at times I think he's a musical genius. there's a note in the intro he picks twice which seems out of place. and the syncapation of the notes in the intro seem somewhat out of time, but it fits.

[@luismarioguerrerosanchez4747]

Let My Love Open the Door, Empty Glass, A Little is Enough, Rough Boys, Somebody Saved Me, The Sea Refuses no River, Face Dances part 2, Slit Skirts, Face to Face. Pete had a lot of great material in the early 80's that he saved for himself, something which angered Roger Daltrey to the bone, but I think it was only fair that after almost 20 years of putting all his heart and soul for The Who, he would go solo and let the spotlight for himself. He's a true artist after all.

[@bukowskibabe]

This video is an embarrassment of musical riches: Pete singing while on keyboards, Phil Collins drumming, Mick Karn on bass, and Midge Ure on guitar. Absolute FIRE of a backing band!

[@ThemanfromZambodia]

A drummer`s drummer for certain!

[@fridrixfanclub]

That's what I was thinking. . . what a band!

[@StretchLedford]

So 80's! The perm! The eye shadow! PHIL COLLINS! LOL!

[@klimber10001]

Still one of my favorite Who songs. Songs like this aren't written anymore..

[@haybill3000]

I think this was townshend solo...

[@sCulturefan]

Tony Butler is great on the album/video version, but Mick Karn is something else on this live cut!

[@jamesfuria]

pete on piano, rare, and killer of course

[@80snewwavekid]

Prince's Trust concert for 1982, available on VHS if you can find a used copy

[@jimmylex6293]

This is 1982...not 84. Phil collins had white gretch set in 84. ..plus i had this on video. 1982

[@KEVSKI1]

Cool with Collins and Ure. I prerfer the Simon Phillips drums.

[@CaptainRowsdower]

pete's brilliant on piano

[@Ugwamp]

What an artist this man is! Love Townsend and The Who, but I never did dig the 80's haircuts that three of them just had to have (thanks for standing your ground, Ox!). The other band around for all of the 70's that got some of those awful haircuts was Rush. Thanks for posting the song, Sox; haven't heard it in years!

[@redheadmacca]

Good observation Fred that's why us 50+ can relate to these guys. Great song by the way Pete not sure about the hairstyle but I guess it's what you have to do to keep in the public eye.

[@DWH072]

01:14-01:19

[@quad5186]

A little bit older now but I made sure I was in this regular bar midnight turning 34 playing this on the jukebox sad but true...

[@EssJayBee]

Phil Collins should've done a cover version of this back in the day.

[@tonyv47]

me thinks that is a better version period !!! excellent !!!

[@kc768]

It's rare to see him play piano or keyboards, and he's really good at it. Beautiful player.

[@valdostaguru]

Don't forget the brand x albums, tours, Crosy Stills nash and collins tour

[@Anglovox]

That looks, and sounds like, MICK KARN on Bass. Townsy could always seem to spot the quality young players.

[@shawnstarks1743]

Phil Collins is a Beast, a fkn beast! However, I prefer the Big Country rhythm section. (The band in the video)

[@robertmunoz4926]

Simon Phillips the best drummer on slit skirts

[@Meanstoend]

He didn’t play on it.

[@robertmunoz4926]

Yes he did the original cover of it... you tube it

[@Meanstoend]

@@robertmunoz4926 many people have covered it, Mark B wrote the part, his version is definitive.

[@jehugo66]

Gotta love Pete's double-breasted "Nehru Jacket" and that 1980s Lindsey Buckingham haircut!

[@zebonaut]

3:18 He loves Phil Fill..

[@ROBYLIO]

The guitarist is MIDGE URE of ULTRAVOX!!! Who's the bass player?

[@snotcopter]

Mick Karn

[@arnolri1]

I do believe the drummer is Phil Collins, a drummer before anything else.

[@mairefuller4084]

is tht midge ure on guitar?

[@maxmustardman298]

Yep

[@DWH072]

Listen to Phil rip through those tom toms...

[@sauciest1]

Not the Sabbath Tony (Geezer) Butler??

[@johnstulpin5634]

Is that Phil on the drum kit?

[@sosidecop64]

Can I have a lineup please.

[@jumbod]

Where is this from?

[@manualboyca]

Who’s the bass player?

[@ThemanfromZambodia]

I think this drummer used to Play on Miami Vice or something like that. Huh Huh HUh Huh!

[@ThemanfromZambodia]

No those guys are from the Human League. Just Kidding but that was my first impression HA!

[@WizardGlik]

Trust me, it is Prince from 1982

[@johnkarlquist7787]

Enjoying Phil Collins tearing it up on someone else's song.

[@chalitin11]

does anyone knows who was that at the end?? looked like robert plant i dunno...

[@koenan1]

@arnolri1 Whoa! Tis Phil. What the heck was this performance for? I would've expected Brzrzrzrki.

[@cutiger1984]

I'm pretty sure it's 82. Pete does the 37 years old line, he would have been 37 in 1982, and 39 in 1984.

[@herbiemarx01]

Waht is he wearing?

[@tripleTmoney]

wait, what? is that midge ure on guitar?

[@sauciest1]

Yeah right...Midge applied to be Pete's butler...but left with "tears in his eyes". LOL

[@chrismartindrummer]

Who are you? What have you done? Certainly you have to give hime credit. He's one of the heaviest drummers in history. You probably say that same thing about Madonna.

[@LennysComet]

when you have the talent as townshend does, you can do anything ya want when it comes to fashion, besides, philly boy had no hair in the 80s

[@michaelkarldozlhofer9201]

1986🙂. Sorry

[@gibsonpt2006]

i didnt read the replies whoops. forget i posted that

[@lawnpro979]

no one respects teh flame, Quite like the fool who's badly burned!!!!! We All know someone who fits this bill!

[@zebonaut]

Nope. This look is not a signal. It is just a look. There is no hint whatever that Phil is not certain where he should be. The Band is tight and so is Phil. Remember: this combonation was a One-Off. How many rehearsals did they have for that? I guess one day, i´m sure. So no "unfortunate".

[@gomudhen]

@lovedandhis Chairman Mao.

[@Motherloadrocks]

this is fast

[@gibsonpt2006]

it's 1984 lol

[@josephgorelick3709]

huge Phil Collins fan but I miss Mark Brzezicki on this…either way, this is rad.

[@chrispyyz]

Actually Simon Phillips did the drums on Slit Skirts

[@josephgorelick3709]

Chris Pirsias Not sure you are correct on this one.

[@chrispyyz]

Joseph Gorelick I cut and pasted this from Simon Phillips website: Long time listener, first time caller. So sorry to bother you with such trivia but you may be the only reliable source for this information. I have always assumed that you were the drummer on the track "Slit Skirts" from Pete's "All the Best Cowboys..." document. I also thought that was you playing on the MTV video release promoting that record. Am I right? I will always be in the audience for any enterprise involving you as the drummer. All the best from your longtime fan, Jerry Horn Simon: Hi Jerry, Yes you are correct - I did play on the recording of "Slit Skirts".

[@mek90703]

Sorry dude, listen to the lyrics. Slit Skirts is about changes in an aging relationship. "Can't pretend that growing old doesn't hurt".

[@EuchridEucrow1]

That's down to Phil's basic skill. I'm not saying the performance is bad. I'm just regretful because I feel it could've been so much better. When he knows a piece he's an incredibly inventive, yet rocksteady drummer. To be fair to the man, though, this is from the days when both Genesis and his solo career had taken off into the atmosphere in terms of popularity. Talk about being busy!

[@buickmonte]

hey sauciest1 i hope your female because with a screen name like that i wouldnt be attempting call outs here.if youre truly a Pete Townshend fan you would respect all the musicians that jam with him, i am sure he does.

[@PutItAway101]

Ha tragic haircut on Pete, and the guitarist looks like he escaped from Kraftwerk

[@johndardi1334]

I LOVE Pete Townshend but this wasn’t a good look for him lol.

[@BabaORiley1972]

Okay, I think that's Tina Weymouth on bass, and some Nazi-looking guy on guitar.

[@tomjohns5146]

so true but that hairy hat he is wearing is not cool