Simon Phillips: Pete Townshend is "the World's Most Complicated Man"

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lp.constantcontactpages.com/s... Interview Clip #3 Simon Phillips: Pete Townshend is "the World's Most Complicated Man"
#TheWho #SimonPhillips #SimonPhillips
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John Beaudin has been in major market radio (Edmonton, Vancouver & Calgary) for 35 years and a music journalist since 1989. He graduated from Broadcasting school as a newsman so he would have the skills to write about the artists that inspired him since he bought his first Elton John album as a teen. In the '80s Beaudin was the host of the syndicated radio show “The Cross Canada Report” which had two versions (Rock and A/C). Beaudin was also asked to be a judge at the Juno Awards (Canada's answer to the Grammys) Twice. He has anchored every position in radio including morning and afternoon drive and was a Program and Music Director for The Breeze and California 103 in Calgary. He currently hosts the popular Lovesongs at QM-FM in Vancouver and on iHeartRadio.
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Heading West by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license () Artist: audionautix.com/

[@whatwouldhousedo5136]

Empty Glass is just a fantastic album.

[@leokimvideo]

Empty Glass is a absolute classic album. No fill on any of the Townshend solo efforts

[@localbod]

Simon Phillips' drumming on Pete Townshend's "Give Blood"! Such a great feel and talent.

[@suesjoy]

Yes!!! What a song that is. I love all Pete’s solo albums. It’s so funny, my husband doesn’t like The Who, but he loves all of Pete’s solo stuff!

[@jaybowden2658]

But you may find that it's not enough!

[@iansnyder274]

YESSSS

[@whyyeseyec]

@@jaybowden2658 - Ha Ha...

[@2817well]

Give Blood was good...but way to long

[@stormbringercoming8105]

Simon’s contributions to Pete’s live show and the 1989 Who tour were were huge. Phenomenal.

[@SLAYERSWINE1]

Simon Phillips's drumming on Jeff Beck's "There & Back" is great.

[@FredHerrman]

I love this man's drumming. Just awesome. His work on one of my favorite albums ever, "All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes," is in my opinion, some of the best drumming I've ever heard. Phillips plays EXACTLY what the song needs. He is such a talented pro. My favorite songs on that album are, "Somebody Saved Me," "Slit Skirts," and "The Sea Refused No River." Just amazing, honest, revealing writing.

[@Twotontessie]

Such a beautiful album and Simon was fantastic. But wasn't Mark B on some of it?

[@joeybill5856]

@@Twotontessie Mark played on the majority of ABCHCE. BOTH Simon and Mark played beautifully

[@coophandluke3697]

I just gave my nephew for Christmas a copy of All the best Cowboys have chinese eyes!!! Such a great album, saw the boys in 1980 in Frankfurt w Germany, while stationed in hiedleberg in the army. I liked them when I went, afterwards I realized I just saw the most POWERFUL R&R BAND OF ALL TIME

[@finch45lear]

The record is truly fantastic. I recall having both ‘Chinese Eyes’ and ‘It’s Hard ‘ by my turntable in the fall of 1982. Certainly a good time for a Who fan. Of course you’re so right. Simon is an awesome musician who enhances all the material he drums on.

[@RecordingDrumsWithBrad]

The live performance of Give Blood that aired on MTV back in the day...ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! That performance still gives me chills. Love it!

[@pallhe]

Simon Phillips is an absolutely amazing drummer.

[@tombaker6082]

Face The Face with Simon on drums was amazing live. He is a monster player.

[@greensombrero3641]

Empty Glass - what a great solo start and the entire ensemble produced a classic - to be rediscovered by new generations to come

[@joecap2919]

I commented on Pete's Instagram praising Simon's drumming on Give Blood. Pete responded " Simon is Drum God"..respect

[@billyrossi4661]

Saw the mighty who in 1975 by far the best concert I ever went to.. 🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@GoldShower1]

Saw 'em in Zurich, at the Velodrome.

[@RC-gf8cs]

Saw 76 msg nyc who b numb tour .phillipps got chops 2 spare but moon was incredible

[@IanPunter]

your lucky you caught them at the end of their relevance. after that their songs went downhill and they just simply became too full of themselves. remember their "last" concert that was pay-per-view in late 82?

[@rolandgard6984]

Had a shirt that said:I'd walk over you to see The Who.

[@ijeff2005]

Love hearing Pete Townshend stories! From my perspective, Pete and Ray Davies are the two most fascinating people in my rock music history.

[@TheEleatic]

All the great artists are nutjobs--excuse me, "eccentric". Townshend captured and embodied the spirit of Rock and Roll more than anyone else. Now, the old fart should fade away. I've had it with him licensing the rights to his songs.

[@da324]

@@TheEleatic Well, they are his songs.

[@bobsmithradates7346]

@@TheEleatic He isn't licensing the rights to his songs. He sold the rights to his entire back catalog (both Who and solo) for $100 million in 2012.

[@smartfart9003]

I've never been able to get past that legal "issue" he had. I've never been able to hear his name or see him without associating him with that. Was never a fan of his obnoxious stage presence and lousy live playing either. He has talent, but is a bit overrated.

[@squaaaaak3178]

@@smartfart9003 most of his talent exists in his songwriting and composing. Not in his guitar playing.

[@pegaso3terminator75]

So humble and educated Simon Phillips the best drummer alive!!

[@bigwillie5717]

Ever since I saw Simon on the Tommy set at Radio City Music Hall on tv (and I subsequently bought the cd set) with all the guests (Billy Idol, Elton John, etc...), I was hooked on Simon....and always respected his open hand style and Tama sound. Bought his solo cd’s thereafter.

[@monkrian8050]

Simon Phillips is Simply One of the Greatest Drummers All Time in Rock n Roll History! Bless You as Always from Taiwan !

[@chantalchabrier3323]

I agree.

[@MrWheeler715]

One of my absolute favorite records to listen to is The Who's live version of Tommy recorded in 89 with Simon on the drums. That is an absolute masterclass on drumming!

[@scottburns2600]

I saw that tour and I didn't know who he was at the time. The biggest memories of that show was watching this guy drum. It was incredible. I've seen some legendary acts over the years but that's still my favorite live drums experience

[@dreadpirateroberts4052]

Thanks, I will check it out.

[@chantalchabrier3323]

Yes I agree, I saw The Who 14 times and they make me cry every times, but it is the 1989 concert with Simon Philips witch was the more powerfull I ever seen and hear! And about Tommy, "since I was a young girl, my senses had never been the same" Chantal from France

[@brandonmclendon5368]

Yep. I thought he should’ve stayed with The Who as he kinda gives the band a huge kick

[@Twotontessie]

I saw that tour live and can't think of a better live rock drumming display that I've seen.

[@dogporchdogporch171]

Absolutely loved his work on Empty Glass.

[@zootsoot2006]

As Glynn Johns said, out of all of the pop/rock greats, Pete is the one real genius.

[@GoldShower1]

He'd know!

[@randalclarke5487]

How is he a genius?? I'm just asking, because, briliant, yes... how so, genius though??

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

Pead townshend

[@loosilu]

@@randalclarke5487 How is he not?

[@Ned88Man]

nonsense, there are other geniuses

[@pthompson108]

Empty Glass was the first time I'd heard Simon play, and I remember thinking... I have to find out who that guy is. Love it mate.

[@John-fc7wc]

Simon is being humble here. "The songs write themselves." Perhaps, but Simon still had to formulate drum parts to Pete's songs, obviously he did a magnificent job. I especially love his playing on "I am an animal," "Gonna get you," "Slit skirts," "Somebody saved me," and "Give blood."

[@andrewkarp5067]

I’m pretty sure that the drums on “Slit Skirts” were actually played by Mark Brzezicki.

[@Twotontessie]

"Animal" one his best recordings

[@williamlangan5902]

Great interview, John! When Simon told you Pete gave him a lecture, he (Simon) reads the main point back in a minute and Pete gets frustrated! Very Pete!

[@MisterstereoOso]

Simon is for sure the best drummer to ever come out of England ( imho) & one of the nicest blokes to boot !

[@timsears951]

Simon Phillips is a phenomenal drummer/musician , fantastic human being & I personally would love to have a chat with him myself!!! you are one lucky man John!!!

[@DWH072]

Always liked Simon as a drummer and a person🥁

[@franklee9814]

The first time I heard the great Simon Phillips was on guitarist Phil Manzanera (of Roxy Music fame) and the album "801 Live". It came out in 1976 and it's still the pinnacle of Simon's career as an amazing drummer. "801 Live" Listen to it.

[@bedrosnersesyan6975]

"Nobody can explain Rock and Roll...except Pete Townshend" -line from Almost famous movie

[@PhilRounds]

I had that exact same TEAC tape deck! I liked Simon's playing on Pete's solo stuff. It does sound very natural!

[@vegardyrnes1793]

I just LOVE watching the interviews with the great Simon Philips!! Thank you, they are so inspiring and entertaining! Cheers.

[@zenlee1109]

What a drummer, a genius, and what a memory he has!!

[@BubbaZen10]

I love his playing so much, and this is a true treat to get to hear. Thanks!

[@artigraphmultimedia1489]

This guy.. changed my drumming. My approach. My teen years to present. How I hear drums. The array of opportunioes they offer. 4th time I've watched. Thanks Rock history radio!!

[@suesjoy]

I’m sad they lost touch! Love Simon Phillip’s work so much! Great little interview. Thank you.

[@AdanBeltran-yi1rf]

I think Simon is a fantastic drummer and I think of him as another Neil peart I lovethe way he plays and I love seeing him play because I learn something always when I watch him. Stay safe fantastic drummer because you no everybody is going away.

[@luiscorro1924]

When Keith Moon died, i though that the best choise for The Who, was Simon Phillips.. it took them 10 years to discover that....

[@whyyeseyec]

I was thinking if RUSH ever wanted to play live again, Phillips would be as best a fit as anyone they could find.

[@martywhite2988]

Johnny Botts Rush fans wouldn't dig any replacement.

[@joebloggs4754]

@@whyyeseyec oh stop

[@davidbreckler5327]

I ran into Pete in Austin TX a few ago and he was a sweetheart!

[@laurentroure9809]

EMPTY GLASS : ONE OF MY FAVORITE LP .

[@jeribiza1]

Simon Phillips is one of the greats!

[@cm9247]

Great interview mate! Two very heavy hitters in the industry. I greatly appreciate these two men. Huge influence on my own musical interests. Cheers men!

[@leolopez_0728]

Simon is a true talent. I also was lucky to see him perform live with The Who on the comeback 1989 Tour. Simon has also recorded with Mike Oldfield, Toto and of course, Pete Townshend. Great Interview John!

[@dannomusic47]

Such a wonderful guy and great musician

[@toddvanfleet8576]

John, you did it again. With an all time great. I'll patreon when I can. Thanks.

[@JulesFox]

very interesting - while I know the songs and get a sense of the complexity of Pete Townsend.. it's interesting hearing first hand what he's like. Simon always come across as very genuine as well.

[@stevecoscia]

Wonderful interview. Thanks.

[@goodwilj]

I love Pete too always have since 1980.

[@Stringman1950]

World of information. Big fan of all things Simon.

[@edgreen8140]

Empty glass fabulous album.. was it 1980. He can write such wonderful songs. Always perfered petes voice to Rogers just 1 mans opinion. When he does give blood with David gilmour!!! Wonderful interview tge connection.

[@ThomNH6229]

I found Simon Phillips after catching a video of him with Townsend and Gilmore, what a fabulous CD

[@dyrphotography]

That was an Excellent Series with Simon Phillips! His Discography is Amazing. I know SP's name showed up on so many record sleeves I bought back in the 80's. It's nice to see people, like him, still doing well and showing up on Important Channels like this one!

[@cosmicdrifter287]

instant playable demos,goes to show that pete is an awesome musician.

[@charlyhrs]

I loved Simon's drumming on Eminence Front....sooooo good

[@profjohnfrinks]

This is the drummer that belongs with the who... i love the all star/ best recordings with him and entwistle...

[@marcobottomley5754]

Saw Simon with The Who, Wembley Arena 1989. The Best with The Best!

[@clausm2203]

Great interview

[@tae-yunlee7658]

PT, my favourite artist, and Simon Phillips my most revered drummer

[@iplaypearldrums7935]

I saw Simon do a drum clinic in Tampa in the late 80's. 👍👍

[@randyzeitman1354]

Imagine a band with Pete, Simon Phillips, Nicky Hopkins, David Gilmour and Leland Sklar.

[@bobsmithradates7346]

Townshend played with all of them except for Sklar (unless I'm missing something).

[@superamanda]

Gonna Get You is my favorite Pete song 😍

[@johnryan3913]

My first exposure to Simon was the excellent Roxy Music spinoff album "801 Live" from '76 with Eno, Manzanera, Francis Monkman etc. Would love a breakdown of my favorite non-Who project "Rough Mix" Pete w/ Ronnie Lane, Charlie Watts, Clapton, Ian Stewart and it is so organic that it never sounds the least bit dated. Also Pete is on the underrated Ron Wood/Ronnie Lane album "Mahoneys Last Stand" from '76 with much the same cast, a great soundtrack and reissued on vinyl about five years ago only to disappear quickly, again!

[@garyolshan4177]

I was one of the lucky ones who saw The Who at the Cow Palace in S.F. in 1973 when drummer Keith Moon passed out after taking horse tranquilizers. Pete picked out some guy from Iowa in the audience to fill in. Check out on KZbin.

[@whyyeseyec]

That guy's name was Scott. I believe he passed away about 5 years ago.

[@mickcostello3668]

Put a drum master with a bass master like John enthwhistle,, and Pete, what a great team they made...the best....

[@artigraphmultimedia1489]

Empty Glass- you guys did brilliant stuff on there . Not a unique observation I realize but just wanted to say that still one of my top albums of all time and hands down and also to play to.

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

I am a fortunate SOB... I saw 'the who' in 1989 with Simon Phillips in Tacoma at the Tacoma dome.. I was prepared to be disappointed but instead I was surprised at how good the band was in particular how well Mr. Phillips handled the Keith Moon parts... It was a great show... A dude turned me on to some acid before the show.. Pete Townsend had an accident near the end of the show where he cut his hand really badly... On the jumbo tron it looked as if his whammy bar on the guitar went thru his hand.. there was blood everywhere.. He ran off stage and then tried to come back out but it was too bad.. Roger Daltrey then led the band thru about 8 more songs, playing the guitar himself.. I wish there was video of that...

[@gingergeezer3685]

He impaled his hand with the whammy bar. I remember that. Gross.

[@danielfisch389]

Keef Richards said the same about Pete. Pete's reaction: "as if I didn't know." 😉

[@massimomaxmajorana]

AMEN!

[@ewenchalmers1312]

Simon on Pete's Deep End...magic!

[@7125Mhz]

That's my favorite drummer.

[@bradyhogan6366]

Classic

[@Camcodrummer]

I wish Pete would get that old band back and do one more album.

[@Barry101er]

I really wish Pete would pull the White City band back together with Simon for just one more solo LP!

[@robertkees6048]

I've been a drummer for many a moon, and one thing I just can't do is keep up the right hand on Face the Face. When you watch Simon, it's just very effortless, and I break down within one quarter of the song, I just don't have that natural speed. I can fake it, but his effortless speed awes me and pisses me of a little. Oh well, that's life as they say.

[@Bushface13]

Look up Give Blood by Pete with Simon and Dave Gilmour . Amazing .

[@tinostabile3256]

Hi John, Love Pete and the music obviously he did with the Who and also his solo album White City and the live concert Deep End live where he played those songs live and Simon Phillips is an incredible drummer that really makes those songs even more incredible. God bless and keep well, Tino

[@adam872]

Aint that the truth. Incredible songs and amazing playing from Simon too. Give Blood -- crikey what a track that his.

[@joefeldpausch]

Funny. Just about 400 pages into Pete’s autobiography (it’s a few years old now) and just happens to be the very topic Simon discusses with all of the electronics in the 80s. Love hearing/reading about a songwriter’s processes and how they work with others. Also did not realize what a prolific songwriter Pete was. Turns out he was prolific at many of the other rock star activities🤣

[@fresherstraighter]

Great interview! By the way, Simon has a certain resamblance to Eric Idle with a beard...or it's just me?

[@MatthewClise]

Dude! He could be Eric Idle's brother. I mean, in the face of losing his house and Covid, he is *looking on the bright side of life*.

[@BubbaZen10]

Gonna get you anyway! I'm gonna get you anyway By sheer persistence I'm gonna get you anyway Break down your resistance

[@steevidrums]

I've always loved Simon Phillips, always would love to ask what did he ever do with his awesome Artstar II kits. The Candy Apple Red one from the inner sleave of the 1st Protocol album, the one where there's no musicians other than Simon on. And his white Artstar II...

[@lovomatic]

Stephen Mackrill the white one was the kit he used when he played in Europe. A guy bought it from Tama french dealer (after Simon had his first Starclassic) and in 1998 this guy sold it.... to me 😎😎😎

[@ChrisGraingerDrums]

The Porsche Guards Red Tama Artstar II lives in Germany now, with a fan of Simon’s.

[@sonhouseisking]

Love seeing some Pete Townshend content!

[@JamesSmith-qy3eu]

Do you love seeing content by a man that paid to watch child porn? I don't.

[@toepincher]

James Smith never viewed it, cancelled the download, and was cleared of charges.

[@moravetz]

@@JamesSmith-qy3eu The police investigation found no files on any of his computers. PT did however pay the site - so the claim that he was proving that banks were complicit in child porn seems plausible.

[@thecolourrose9022]

@@toepincher he never even put in credit card details all he did was go on a website he knew was a sting

[@thecolourrose9022]

@@JamesSmith-qy3eu no one likes people spreading bullshit because they cant be bothered to research

[@maxthepupp]

I'll be honest...Pete's The Iron Giant album is one of my favorites. I'm a huge fan - of Simon as well! Thank you.

[@charold3]

Pete, Call Simon! Great drummer. My friends and I loved his work with PT in (mostly) the 80s. Pete was never better than then, and Simon was his ideal drummer.

[@NorthernBandit1]

Simon is so engaging...eloquent...a bit like Moonie but a bit more grounded. Very similar souls ( Duh ). What I know is only as a fan of 50 years but I could see and hear Pete as Simon was going on...those where the days!

[@antileft6776]

Empty Glass. Deepest cuts of any album ever made.

[@Pela305]

Simon is always Simon..., i mean, he's sound and musicality is highly recognizable. You know it's him even if he plays a backbeat with four on the floor. Well..., i'm a fan, what can i say. :-)

[@dfinma]

Gonna Get Ya inspired me to learn to play drums.

[@chrisnolan5607]

A cliff hanger of a track!

[@MatthewClise]

"A project called 'the Iron Man'"... that project ended up becoming the Brad Byrd animated film "The Iron Giant".

[@nick326697]

Wrong, I'm afraid. Both are adaptations of a book by Ted Hughes called The Iron Man but the PT album didn't become The Iron Giant the film.

[@brandonmclendon5368]

@@nick326697 It was influenced and originally gonna be a musical I think and Pete has an executive producer credit

[@paulmattingley2140]

@@brandonmclendon5368 that's correct. Townshend ultimately wasn't bothered it didn't become the musical in the end. He's quoted as saying something along the lines of I don't care, I got fucking paid either way.

[@JoeyBrunoMusicArchives]

I noticed you said this was part 3 of Simon's interview, I can only find 2 segments uploaded so far, did I miss something or is there another segment still to come ?

[@RockHistoryMusic]

Here you go Joseph...thanks for watching...John kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYK9qGerZ9qfqaM kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJSsZGx8ZdiUgdE

[@DaringDan]

Also, Simon: "I only know 20 people."

[@michaeltalley5826]

I like Zack Starkey, but prefer Simon Phillips drumming with Pete Townsend and The Who.

[@ryanwilson5782]

I love Simon, but I think his drumming is almost "too precise" for The Who. PERFECT for Townshend's solo work, but a little tight for The Who. Keith Moon was a magnificently sloppy beast of a man, and that personality made for some damn good rock drumming, arguably the best. Simon just doesn't have that feel, whereas Zack Starkey has the groove of his father, Ringo, and the energy of his godfather (and first drum teacher), Mr. Keith Moon

[@whyyeseyec]

@@ryanwilson5782 - Phillips drummed on the Who '89 Tour and did a fantastic job. Simon is not one to just sit back and play though, he likes to offer input and that may piss off Pete a bit. Zach and Simon are both fine drummers but for the Who, nobody could replace Moon because he was so unpredictable. You just never knew what he was going to play, but it always worked.

[@chrisnolan5607]

Simon kicks Pete into Overdrive!

[@sickoftheleftwingscum]

If you won't to see Simon Phillips at his best watch The Who at the Los Angeles Amphitheatre 1989 doing Tommy with guests Stevie Winwood-Billy Idol-Elton John-Pattie LaBelle and Phil Collins it's The Who at their best as far as I'm concerned with a great backing band !

[@swampmusic9222]

All of that writing came from one brain....thats is what is truly incredible about Pete...

[@wilburforcier2269]

The Synclavier was incredibly complex back in the day... along with The Fairlight. It’s says a lot about Simon... and Pete to be diving in .

[@morbidmanmusic]

Then ensonic sampler came out for 999$ and it was game on.

[@ikki-1985]

Pete Townshend es un genio

[@stedmangruff]

THE Corrs "Toss the Feathers" with Simon guesting on the drums. Just compare that to the regular version. Nuff said.

[@rubytuesday1345]

Hope Simon is manging to rebuild his life after the fires.

[@tomcarl8021]

I read somewhere Pete had an uncle who was on the team that invented Radar.

[@skyreadersociety6183]

the old days of music biz are gone, more than ever...

[@sickoftheleftwingscum]

One of the best all round drummers there is I don't know why he's not with The Who now because Zak Starkey is very basic compared to Simon Phillips he's the best ! 👍

[@joebloggs4754]

are you high?

[@mindjob]

All Pete’s song are good

[@SwampEye1]

Pete was/is the greatest live Performer ever ...

[@brainsareus]

This shit is over my head