The Who's Pete Townshend live 2012 solo performance at Berklee: "Won't Get Fooled Again."

Pete Townshend's amazing acoustic version of " Won't Get Fooled Again" at Berklee Performance Center in Boston, MA on Oct. 12, 2012.
Video by Howl Digital Media Editor Tory Germann.

[@rustycockering9925]

Totally unique playing style. Nobody ever hit the strings harder than Pete.

[@fransschmitz2628]

Pete Townshend, he never stops to amaze me..

[@bluesrocker91]

Pete Townshend is an absolute master of rhythm guitar. I prefer to listen to his playing over pretty much any "lead" guitarist out there...

[@davjamrid]

Amen

[@markhaus1329]

For those who have seen The Who numerous times as I have, I'm sure you know Pete can play some serious lead guitar to.

[@HansDelbruck53]

@@markhaus1329 too

[@danielkoncz3301]

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

[@marissatartaglia1449]

One of the greatest guitarists in rock, ever

[@kmani69]

My Guitarhero since 1965

[@MrStefan124]

After all decades of music to come after The Who's heyday, and that rapid, percussive strumming he does is still just as beautiful as ever.

[@marinushj]

Such beautiful guitar playing and voice. I can just listen to and watch him perform his songs in endless different variations, all day long. Pete, keep giving us your gift.

[@davidburns8662]

That Pete Townshed he could sure turn a phrase, "No Easy Way To Be Free", "Imagine A Soul So Old It Is Broken, Yet You Know Your Only Invention Is You", yes and what do they come up with today, "I Have Hos In Different Area Codes", Long Live Pete Townshend and Long Live Rock !!!

[@marktheelf53]

The use of the pick is unique in the world..best rithym guitar ever!

[@1oolabob]

Some rock songs lose their power when they're done solo and acoustic. This one is somehow MORE powerful this way.

[@finlaybalfour1064]

The definition of a master and a true virtuoso: he's more concerned about telling the story and making the song come alive than making a perfect sounding tune or rhythm.

[@fendermcmarshall]

A lot of people think they can play guitar but Pete sets the bar pretty high for anyone who truly aspires to make an acoustic really rock out.

[@BluesLicks101]

Pete's got the best right hand technique of any rhythm guitarist.

[@scottpeterson9609]

Pete is a strumming son of a gun, I still struggle with the beginning of Pinball Wizard, he makes it look so easy......

[@bytorgerhold8008]

He is amazing!

[@user-fn5mr4oz4j]

Yes

[@krollpeter]

You grumpy man have written so many beautiful songs!

[@banba317]

Hands down, the best right hand in Rock.

[@daviddemaria3982]

Pure genius at work

[@homer84065]

I was lucky to be there for this. It was just amazing.

[@mcdee56]

Always a great stummer!

[@rumeaug]

Townshend is an exceptional acoustic guitar player. You can hear it on the album Tommy.

[@FredHerrman]

Just simply a god. I love how he likes to throw in a bit of dischord here and there. Love Pete.

[@mrhemitom9]

he never fooled any of us.... talent beyond description.......so pure and easy........yep

[@sunking2001]

Just another musical genius. Not many have come around in the last 30 years or so...except for Joe Bonamassa. Who else in that class of genius?

[@sixsixxsixxxx]

sunking2001 Bonamassa is a genius? great blues player but no genius...as for you other comment just sounds like old person nonsense...bet your parents and grandparents didnt think Pete was a genius

[@sixsixxsixxxx]

sunking2001 for brilliant talents in last 30 years: Thom Yorke - Tori Amos - Beck - Kurt Cobain - Eminem - Kenny Wayne Sheppard - Trent Reznor - Alison Krause - Tom Morello

[@buck7257]

well said Thomas, thank you. And by the way to the dipstick who responded earlier...fuck off with your new age crap! If you don't like Pete, simply fuck off and go to your genre, however pathetic it may be. Pete = Pure Genius!!

[@GuyPlatteau-xy2sr]

Tommy Bolin ; Éric gales! Buddy Guy ; paco de Lucia ; wes Montgomery ; Django Reinhardt ; Bernard Allison ; albers Cummings ; robin Ford ; Hendrix ; John scofield ; Rory Gallagher ; zappa ; Roy Buchanan et j'en passe ( Guy platteau Marseille France)

[@LazlowEighty8]

Best cover.

[@stellafokas12]

Love Pete's music, if we could all be able to do what we do that well when we are "retired"!

[@Djjohnreed]

I was at this in 2012. It was amazing!!

[@viccanchola9326]

Love ya mr TONWSHED

[@TeamHash]

Pete is awesome. Great cover song . :)

[@johntartaglia5114]

Best ever seen, best ever played, listen to the words and enjoy

[@sunking2001]

It's fun watching a true musical genius/composer perform by himself. Pete is a great guitarist. One doesn't have to play a million notes...just play tasteful and memorable chords and notes. John Lennon was another one.

[@user-fn5mr4oz4j]

Wow

[@MrGuitardog22]

Wow! I'm fucking speechless.

[@russclark6780]

Brilliant. I've spent my adult life as a guitarist imitating his right hand technique.

[@TheEdie1958]

Music historian preservationist an archivist composer well deserved honorary doctorate in music influenced by Franz Listz, Richard Wagner, Rachmaninoff, and Stravinsky. Around lincoln center and pursued personal growth to learn classical music mecca of symphonic musicians. Most endearing cheers Sir Peter

[@volkwino]

really fantastic innovative version!!!

[@Exterminate265]

His picking pattern is mesmerizing.

[@ShaneScott69]

what an outstanding rhythm player

[@tovasstalin2927]

Admit it, no one can play guitar like him (and sing at the same time)

[@greensombrero3641]

Bravo!

[@johntartaglia5114]

One of the greatest voices of the late 60s and early 70s, he has no equal

[@greensombrero3641]

indeed - a GREAT singer

[@gatoryak7332]

Not a great voice. Indeed a great singer.

[@therealawakener7]

Pete's a bonafide axe legend. Enough said.

[@sjmuffler1]

Long live Rock!

[@GoldShower1]

WoW. Another proof of versatile he music is. At one point he made WGFA a pop song.

[@Colt-ii4qn]

This was fucking great , respect ✊

[@davjamrid]

GREATEST.OF.ALL.TIME.

[@marcdylson9234]

Une performance comme on en voit rarement sur ce super morceau.....

[@MrFrankeesh]

and he can sing! real good

[@classic-kool]

....Brilliant !!

[@whitetigress7448]

Thank you, Daddy. Lovely. . . Golly. More than lovely. (I began purring uncontrollably somewhere around the middle.)

[@tomschlattman9735]

If you purr to Pete Townshend and the Who you're my kind of girl.

[@sweetitis]

Been a very entertaining career!

[@transbender5906]

The fact that he got asked to play at Berklee just shows how good of a guitarist he is

[@quarter_moon_and_a_guitar]

er, ya think?

[@HansDelbruck53]

... how good a guitarist he is.

[@michaellacey1175]

I a not looking to Berklee to decide what is music is to me. He is F#ing Pete Townshend.

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Pete sure loves those J200’s

[@chrissnape9537]

I will 2nd Townshends rythm is second to none. I just started guitar at 57 I'm 58 and he is not to be trifled with The Master

[@miccajames]

I was at this performance. Amazing. Thank you so much for posting

[@salvamelavida2005]

LUCKY!!

[@lunapulignano4507]

Genius

[@miloblandon]

THANKSS FOR THISSS!!!!! PURE GOOOLDD!!

[@RBC2_]

Pete is getting better with age. :-)

[@jonbarr9195]

Yeah yeah YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

[@stevewoan7834]

Alex Lifeson of Rush, stated that Pete was one of his fave guitarists

[@nigelsharratt933]

Amazing

[@rocketteeman2708]

Is there anything more nervous than a guitar in the hands of Pete Townshend...

[@johngallacher]

legend

[@funguy4utube]

He is just as good as ever ... I have always thought of Pete as the man who turned chords into lead .. he makes rhythm guitar into lead guitar. As someone commented and asked below ... how the heck does he hold the pick whilst finger-picking ?! It seems he snaps it up into his palm with middle two fingers and then pops it back into action ... quite tricky !

[@BrianOlmstead]

Just watching him play, taught me how to hide the pick, simple really, but try that with power of The Who behind you..

[@junkers290]

Watch Samantha Fish. She does this as well. It looks like a magic trick.

[@anthonyrichard8001]

YEP!!! THX!!! ITS DAMN TRUTH!

[@donlittlejones3925]

For those who complain about Pete' playing and singing; I would like to see or hear you do better at 70+.

[@christineplymouth3271]

Don Littlejones He'd fry their sorry asses.

[@MattBrodeurMusic]

When I saw them on the Quadrophenia anniversary tour a few years ago I was really impressed with Pete's playing and singing. It was clear that Daltrey was having a tougher time hitting his notes, but Pete's voice only got better with age in my opinion.

[@eggboyle2612]

Christine Plymouth ever heard of Eric Clapton?

[@cydonia9342]

I'd like to see or hear someone do better at ages 0-100

[@bytorgerhold8008]

No shit!!

[@Kenzeneke1789]

Simply GREAT

[@paolomagherini4347]

Insieme a Jimmy Page il più grande compositore di musica rock di sempre. Questa versione di Won't get fooled again è eccezionale. Townshend alla chitarra acustica ritmica è fantastico.

[@Alounacara]

Loving the real thing

[@powerofpop8747]

LEGEND!

[@AjatiMimi]

Amazing!

[@joedambrosio5423]

Stellar.

[@mikegodhard7211]

All the time, on the innerweb, we read comments on fantastic songs. Inevitably we write, "greatest song ever". Well, this song, the studio release on "Who's next", could quite possibly be the real McCoy. Think if you had only heard it less than 100 times, would that be true for you? (you'd have to be older than 50) . Townsend is a maniacal music genius.

[@tommym43]

don't know why i always wait for him to smash the guitar at the end, old habit i guess :)

[@wolfgangwylde5889]

I think Pete may have stole the whole guitar smashing thing from my grandpa Ira Louvin.. According to articles, folklore,bigfoot and various stories, some true and some not ,my grandpa was one of the first musicians to smash his instruments on a somewhat regularly basis. If only electronic tuners were around back in his day,he may have not smashed his mandolons in moments or frustration brought about by his mandolins not tuning or staying in tune.

[@MrFrankeesh]

how did I miss this show ?!?!

[@dickyfisher7134]

Hell yeah!

[@vicshere99]

Wow!

[@terminatorx2545]

Damn hes friggin awesome!

[@jasrust]

The passion hits him at about 49 seconds. The real fuckin' deal.

[@jasrust]

***** You're a funny guy! How does it feel going around with a mouth that bleeds once a month? Must be inconvenient.

[@fuzzydunlop365]

Great performance and impressive whistling booger action by camera man from 3:15-3:35 (and a reprise later in the song!)

[@Talcupp]

That right hand! Clearly he's still practicing. Wow.

[@nenadkresojevic4023]

SUUPEEERR PETE....

[@Ironmanfranky73]

Mega Hammer

[@villll]

🤘

[@villll]

🤙

[@19brian55]

Oh my giddy aunt, I’ve just witnessed an alien or some other not of this world master!

[@peterplohn4491]

uiy, geil

[@gl88rt55]

"And I'll get on my knees and pray"

[@IndyTheGreat]

Hot damn, Pete's seriously the best rhythm guitarist ever. This is coming from a person who thinks that Guthrie Govan and Bumblefoot are the 2 best lead guitarists alive today.

[@travisreid7]

i would give my left foot for a right hand like his

[@nealdmiller]

This song seems beyond current these days!

[@mjt11860]

beautiful sounding guitar! is that a gibson hummingbird? maple back & sides? man that's got such a beautiful tone.

[@eskilddohn5843]

I think it's a Gibson SJ200. Nice jumboguitar with great sound!

[@tfcolligan]

Someone please tell me where the hell he's keeping that pick when he starts finger-picking, and then how he gets it back between thumb and forefinger in the nick of time. I'm guessing he's got it between middle and ring finger (like a hidden coin trick?); either that or maybe it's that "magnetic" type that adheres to the sound board.... But no matter how he does it ... wow, he's always "on time" with that right hand.

[@James-kx5nh]

tf colligan In between the knuckle of the middle finger paralell with the finger and clamped inside the first and second joint. Same place I keep mine. That's why you only see him finger picking with his index, ring and pinky.

[@billybigtime2808]

I’d noticed that and kept playing it back to observe.glad I wasn’t the only one

[@cardarom]

Does anyone know what guitar this is? Thanks in advance!

[@andybenstead7240]

a genius

[@briansaiditsoitmustbetrue4206]

IF HE WAS A GENIUS HE WOULD HAVE DELETED THE HARD DRIVE ON HIS COMPUTER AFTER HE HAD LOOKED AT NAKED PICTURES OF CHILDREN ON HIS COMPUTER... He has soiled his name forever. Hope it was worth it!

[@andybenstead5756]

read the facts , he never downloaded any images ,and as for deleting stuff off a hard drive , it still can be traced to the websites , he is a genius always has been always will be ,end of

[@wassupdoc2780]

you don't have to download it to look at it

[@rumeaug]

...and as mentioned in a comment. His right hand is just,,,rocket propelled grenade

[@erfling1]

I'd like to hear the beginning of his complaint. Was he saying he gets too many requests for tracks from the Who Sell Out? That seems odd.

[@bluesrocker91]

I think it's because whenever he gets requests, it's almost always for something obscure or something he hasn't played in decades.

[@dls55593]

where's the book then?

[@ACoustaDC]

How the hell did he write so many freaking great songs. Most artist have 1 or 2 good songs in them..... there are far more "1 hit wonders" than true masters. Pete, Prince, and Willie.... Maybe Dolly... it's one thing to play songs someone wrote for you.... it's another to have a huge catalogue of sing a longs... and then to play them long after you release them because the crowd demands it.

[@asbjrnl.srensen3781]

Wonder how I does the pick-hiding?? Thats tricky

[@simontaylor2319]

I would like to see Peter T play George Formby, I think they both share a similar style - banko/uke

[@12presspart]

pete does play a uke hes played it on a couple of who songs

[@riding60beat]

what kind/brand of plectrum does Pete uses?

[@coolcarsfan1414]

I'm pretty sure he used to use Manny's Music picks back in the day, I'm assuming he just uses custom-printed picks nowadays

[@riding60beat]

@@coolcarsfan1414 thanx!

[@mandykhoo2473]

The electricity remains

[@ideath173]

any young boys in the crowd?

[@JamesSmith-qy3eu]

Not young enough.

[@bobleton2809]

I miss the windmill ... lol; joking aside: he's so brilliant.

[@darryltinney5142]

He must have played WGFA a thousand times now and dozens of times in 2012. How does he need the sheet music and words? That's so weird.