Pete Townshend talks Quadrophenia to Andy Breare 7th May 2009

During the preparations for the first ever theatre production of The Who’s Quadrophenia Pete Townshend talked to BBC Spotlight’s Andy Breare about the project at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth 7th May 2009. This is the complete interview.
www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/ar...

[@christopherwalsh4590]

I'm totally speechless I listen out Pete talking and explaining things about music and it's history how he sees it very intriguing 🤔😃

[@marjofox]

I spent an hour in Pete's company at a Who gig at Deeside Leisure Centre in 1981 I think, and was backstage all afternoon as everything was set up.

[@heighwaysonthewing]

one of the few people I would call a genius , and always good to listen to.

[@BostonWhoFan515]

I would love to sit down and talk to Pete Townshend. Omg he and The Who are such an integral part of my life.

[@wildbillfirehands]

Not a word escapes Mr. Townsend's mouth that isn't instantly analysed and made right by his mind. He was and is a gift to the world of music. His compositions are part of my life sound track and inspiration. Thank you Sir, Mr. Pete Townsend, of The Who.

[@stefanhamilton8713]

Pete you are a genius, and number one on my list of people I’d like to give a hug to. Quadrophenia still speaks to me after thirty years of listening to it, such a strange and specific story, but totally universal themes that so many of us can relate to.

[@leokimvideo]

Quadrophenia was so ahead of it's time. It's music and message does not age. Many of Pete's signature songwriting style is in Quadrophenia. You hear them in pieces in his 80's solo works. Pete Townshend is one of the greatest rock songwriters that carried the career of The Who. The mass popularity of the Beatles did shadow some of his potential audience. But did the Beatles do two epic albums that are musicals rock opera's. I don't think so! (trigger the haters)

[@jonnysongs]

Great interview and awesome interviewer! Asks good questions and waits for the guest to finish.

[@SuperStrik9]

Quadrophenia is my favorite Who album.

[@michaelreidperry3256]

Townshend is regularly accused of being over-the-top. But I’m pleased he had the humility to decide The Who to play a supporting role in Quadrophenia concept as the soundtrack. It was Jimmy and this fucking Bellboy in the leads. Those identities colliding resonated deeply in me as a very young man in the 80s. The Who kept the energy and context moving along.

[@kevinronske9894]

Guitar breaks on Ive Had Enough are phenomonal.

[@johnman3272]

Yes! "SOS" is the greatest ABBA song ever. I'm so glad my hero Pete agrees with me.

[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

Quadrophenia was and still is the best album of all time for me. It is a record that captures of angst of the teenage years better than any record, and how important music is to teenagers. Particularly boys, who can like Quadrophenia as much at 18 and as they do at 62. Whereas for teen girls, music is much more disposable. I mean, who listens to the New Kids On The Block anymore? Music isn't a fad to male listeners. Please don't take this to mean that females are not capable of developing intense attachments to rock albums and songs as well. But it is far more common with males to develop these attachments. The problem with Quadrophenia is that it was an album before its time. The pre-recorded synth tapes (which didn't work 50% of time) put a noose around the band's neck. Quad was record that was meant to be released in the mid-80's with all the availability of digital sampling and such that would have allowed a touring keyboard player like Rabbit to reproduce all the sounds but allow the band to wander and improvise at times. As Pete says, Tommy was a better vehicle for that because it was a record that was underproduced. The Who had intended to add a lot more overdubs on to Tommy, but they ran out of time and money. So it was easy to take liberties when performing Tommy.

[@gssheriff7278]

The Who were not appreciated nor as famous as they should have been because they weren't the Beatles, nor Rolling Stones, but in my opinion they are the greatest British live band with the most different bandmates ever.

[@bartstarr100]

His autobiography is one of the few by a rock Starr I have finished. He could have been a historian or a novelist

[@babyshambler]

The problem with Pete Townshend interviews is they're always a few hours too short.

[@JohmathanBSwift]

Pete speaks about ABBA's S.O.S .

[@christopherwalsh4590]

I need to listen to understand I'm flabbergasted!!!

[@robertkess9907]

The stage is the place where a man can feel, he's the only soul in the world that's real.

[@markrothenberg9867]

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