Pete Townshend facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pete Townshend
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Townshend in 2012
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend |
| Also known as | Bijou Drains |
| Born | 19 May 1945 Chiswick, England |
| Origin | London, England |
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| Years active | 1962–present |
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Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (born 19 May 1945) is an English musician. He is best known as the co-founder and guitarist of the Who. The Who was one of the most important rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s. Pete's energetic guitar playing and thoughtful songwriting made him famous.
Townshend wrote over 100 songs for The Who's albums. These include special albums called concept albums, like the rock operas Tommy (1969) and Quadrophenia (1973). He also wrote many popular songs for albums like Who's Next (1971). Besides The Who, he has written over 100 songs for his own solo albums. He has even written radio jingles and television theme songs.
While he is famous for playing guitar, Townshend can play many other instruments. He taught himself to play keyboards, banjo, accordion, harmonica, ukulele, mandolin, violin, synthesizer, bass guitar, and drums. He plays these on his solo albums and some Who albums. Pete Townshend has also written many articles, book reviews, and books. He has worked with other musicians as a lyricist and composer.
In 1983, Townshend won a Brit Award for his long career. In 1990, he joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Who. He has received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and Kennedy Center Honors. Many lists rank him as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. In 2016, he and Roger Daltrey received an award for their lifetime in music from UCLA.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Pete Townshend was born in Chiswick, west London, in 1945. He grew up in a family of musicians. His father, Cliff Townshend, played saxophone in a band for the Royal Air Force. His mother, Betty, was a singer. When Pete was very young, his parents separated for two years. He lived with his grandmother, Emma Dennis, during that time. Later, his parents bought a house together in Acton, and Pete was happy to be reunited with them.
Townshend said he did not have many friends when he was young. He spent a lot of time reading adventure books like Gulliver's Travels. In 1956, he watched the movie Rock Around the Clock many times. This made him very interested in American rock and roll. Soon after, he saw Bill Haley perform in London, which was his first concert. At that time, he wanted to be a journalist, not a musician.
Pete went to Acton County Grammar School. He was often bullied there because of his large nose. This experience affected him deeply. His grandmother bought him his first guitar in 1956. It was an inexpensive Spanish guitar. His father taught him a few chords, but Pete mostly taught himself to play. He never learned to read music. Pete and his school friend John Entwistle formed a jazz band called the Confederates. Pete played banjo, and John played horns. They played at a youth club and covered songs by other artists. However, they soon became interested in rock 'n' roll. Townshend especially liked "Move It" by Cliff Richard. Pete left the Confederates and bought a better guitar.
His brothers, Paul and Simon, were born in 1957 and 1960. Pete did not have good enough grades for university. He chose to study graphic design at Ealing Art College in 1961. He studied with Ronnie Wood, who later joined The Rolling Stones. Famous artists gave talks at the college. Townshend left college in 1964 to focus on music full-time.
Musical Career
The Detours and The Who's Start (1961–1964)
In late 1961, John Entwistle joined a band called the Detours. It was a skiffle and rock and roll band led by Roger Daltrey. John then suggested that Pete Townshend join as another guitarist. The Detours played instrumental songs and covers of pop and jazz tunes. The band's main members were Roger Daltrey on lead guitar, Townshend on rhythm guitar, Entwistle on bass, and Doug Sandom on drums. Colin Dawson was the singer. Roger Daltrey was the leader.
In 1962, Colin Dawson left the band. Roger Daltrey became the lead singer. Townshend became the only guitarist. Pete's mother helped the band get a manager, Robert Druce. They started opening for other bands. In 1963, Pete's father helped them record "It Was You," the first song Pete ever wrote. In 1964, the band found out there was another group called the Detours. They had to change their name. Pete's roommate, Richard Barnes, suggested "The Who." Roger Daltrey liked it best.
The Who's Rise to Fame (1964–1982)
Soon after changing their name, Keith Moon replaced drummer Doug Sandom. A publicist named Peter Meaden managed them for a short time. He convinced them to change their name to the High Numbers to sound more like a mod band. They released one song that did not do well. Then, they got new managers, Chris Stamp and Kit Lambert. They went back to being called The Who.
In June 1964, during a show, Townshend accidentally broke his guitar on the low ceiling. He then destroyed the rest of it. Breaking instruments on stage soon became a regular part of The Who's live shows.
With their new managers, The Who got a record deal. Townshend wrote a song called "I Can't Explain." It sounded like songs by the Kinks. "I Can't Explain" was The Who's first hit in January 1965, reaching number eight in the UK. Their third single, "My Generation," was released in November. This song made them famous as a band that understood teenagers' feelings. It reached number two in the UK, becoming The Who's biggest hit.
To build on their success, The Who released their first album, My Generation, in late 1965. It had Pete's original songs and some James Brown covers. Townshend continued to write many hit singles for the band, like "Pictures of Lily" and "Substitute." Their manager, Lambert, encouraged Pete to write longer songs. This led to "A Quick One, While He's Away" and the album A Quick One in 1966. In their shows, Townshend started swinging his arm against the guitar strings like a windmill. He got this idea from watching The Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.
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The Who started their first US tour in March 1967. Their next album, The Who Sell Out, came out in December. It was a concept album about pirate radio stations. It included funny jingles and fake commercials. The album had The Who's biggest US single, "I Can See for Miles."
By 1968, Townshend became interested in the teachings of Meher Baba. He started to create a musical story about a boy who was deaf, unable to speak, and blind. This boy would experience feelings through music. This idea became the rock opera Tommy, released in May 1969. It was a huge success. The Who toured to support Tommy, including a famous performance at the Woodstock Festival in August.
In 1970, The Who released Live at Leeds, which many music critics call one of the best live albums ever. Townshend then began writing another rock opera called Lifehouse. It was meant to be a big project about the link between a musician and their audience. The other band members found the story confusing. They just wanted another album. Townshend felt alone and had a nervous breakdown, so the project was stopped. Many songs from Lifehouse were released as a regular album, Who's Next. It was a big hit, reaching number one in the UK. It had two successful singles, "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again." These songs were among the first to use a synthesizer in a new way.
In 1973, Townshend started writing songs for another rock opera. He wanted it to be about the mod youth culture and their fights with Rockers in the early 1960s in the UK. This album was called Quadrophenia. It was the only Who album written entirely by Townshend. He also produced it. It came out in November and was very successful, reaching number two in both the UK and US. A reviewer called it "prime cut Who" and "the most rewarding musical experience of the year." During the tour, the band played the album with pre-recorded music. This caused problems when the tapes broke down. Townshend got angry and kicked over amplifiers. On 14 April 1974, Townshend played his first solo concert to raise money for a community center.
A film version of Tommy was made in 1975. Roger Daltrey played the main role. Other famous musicians like Tina Turner and Elton John had small parts. Townshend was nominated for an Academy Award for the film's music. The album The Who by Numbers came out in November 1975. It had songs that looked inward, often with a negative feeling. It had one hit song, "Squeeze Box," which Townshend wrote after learning to play the accordion. After a 1976 tour, Townshend took a year off to spend time with his family.
The Who continued even after Keith Moon died in 1978 and John Entwistle died in 2002. Many critics see The Who as one of the best live bands from the 1960s to the 2000s. They still perform today, including at events like The Concert For New York City in 2001 and Live 8 in 2005.
Townshend remained the main songwriter and leader of The Who. He wrote over 100 songs for their albums. He often used pianos or keyboards on recordings. Townshend was also important in developing guitar feedback in rock music. Other famous guitarists like Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix were influenced by him. Many rock guitarists, including Slash and Alex Lifeson, say Townshend influenced them.
Solo Career (1972–Present)
Besides his work with The Who, Townshend has also had a solo career. Between 1969 and 1971, he recorded three albums about Meher Baba's teachings. To stop people from illegally copying these, he released his first official solo album, Who Came First, in 1972. It was quite successful and showed off his acoustic guitar skills. He also worked with Ronnie Lane on an album called Rough Mix in 1977.
Townshend's solo career really took off after Keith Moon died. His 1980 album, Empty Glass, included the top-10 hit "Let My Love Open the Door." In 1982, he released All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes. This album was very personal and honest. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Townshend continued to create story-based albums. These included White City: A Novel (1985) and The Iron Man: A Musical (1989).
Townshend also released live concert albums. He formed a supergroup called Deep End with David Gilmour on guitar. They played a few concerts to raise money for charity. In 1993, he helped create a Broadway musical based on The Who's album Tommy. He also worked on an animated film called The Iron Giant, based on the book The Iron Man.
In 2017, Townshend toured with other musicians like Billy Idol and Alfie Boe for a "Classic Quadrophenia" tour in the US.
Latest Who Work (1996–Present)
Since the mid-1990s, Townshend has continued to tour with the remaining members of The Who. This includes a 2002 tour that went on even after John Entwistle's death.
In 2006, The Who announced a big world tour to promote their first new album since 1982. Townshend had been writing a story called The Boy Who Heard Music online. In October 2006, The Who released their album Endless Wire, their first in 24 years.
The Who performed at the Super Bowl XLIV half-time show in 2010. They played a mix of their famous songs. In 2012, The Who toured with their rock opera Quadrophenia. They were also the final performers at the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in London.
In 2018, Townshend said that a new Who album should have songs by both him and Roger Daltrey. That album, simply called Who, was released in December 2019. It was the band's second album as a duo.
Musical Influences
Townshend grew up in London after World War II. He believes that the difficulties of this time led to the rock music revolution in the UK. He said that the "trauma" of the war was passed down and influenced his music. He often wrote about a boy lost in the pressures of postwar life. He wrote that he wasn't trying to make beautiful music. Instead, he wanted to show the "awful, visceral sound" of the fear that a bomb could destroy everything.
Even though he grew up with jazz musicians, Townshend learned a lot about rock music at art school. His roommate had a large record collection. Townshend listened to and was influenced by R&B and rock & roll artists like Howlin' Wolf and Chuck Berry. He was also influenced by artists who damaged their instruments during performances. Because of these influences, smashing guitars became a way to express feelings and ideas through music. He wrote, "Destruction is art when set to music."
Equipment
Throughout his career with The Who and as a solo artist, Townshend has used many different guitars. He often played Fender, Gibson, and Rickenbacker models. He also used Guild and Takamine acoustic guitars. His Gibson J-200 acoustic guitar gave him his unique sound on songs like "Pinball Wizard."
In the early days of The Who, Townshend mainly played Rickenbacker electric guitars. When he accidentally broke his guitar on a low ceiling during a concert, the audience loved it. So, he started to smash his instruments on purpose during shows. For smashing, he used stronger and cheaper guitars like the Fender Stratocaster and Fender Telecaster. In the late 1960s, Townshend mostly used Gibson SG Special guitars. He used this guitar at the Woodstock Festival and Isle of Wight Festival in 1969 and 1970.
By 1970, Gibson changed the SG Special design. Townshend started using other guitars. For much of the 1970s, he used a Gibson Les Paul Deluxe. In the studio, he often played a '59 Gretsch 6120 guitar, especially on the albums Who's Next and Quadrophenia.
In the 1980s, Townshend mainly used Fenders and Rickenbackers. Since the late 1980s, he has used the Fender Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster. Some of his Stratocasters have a special system to make them sound like acoustic guitars.
There are several Gibson Pete Townshend signature guitars. These include the Pete Townshend SG and the Pete Townshend J-200. There was also a special Rickenbacker limited edition guitar, the model 1998. Townshend also used a Gibson ES-335, which he gave to the Hard Rock Cafe.
Amps
Townshend has used many types of amplifiers over the years. These include Vox, Fender, Marshall, and Hiwatt. He has used Hiwatt amps for about 40 years. Around the time of Who's Next, he used a tweed Fender Bandmaster amp. Since 1989, he has used Fender Vibro-King amps and Hiwatt amps.
Townshend was important in creating what is known as the "Marshall stack." He asked for large speaker cabinets. Jim Marshall cut these cabinets in half, making them easier to move and stack. This created the Marshall stack, which Townshend used.
He sees his instruments as just tools for his work. He keeps his most valuable instruments safe from concert stages. These include vintage Rickenbackers and his Gretsch 6120.
Keyboards
Townshend played keyboards on several Who songs. On Who's Next, he started using analogue synthesizers, like the ARP 2600. He liked synthesizers because they could create sounds like an orchestra. He said they helped him play complex music quickly, which he couldn't do as fast on guitar.
The synthesizers Townshend used included the EMS VCS3 and ARP 2600. He also used a modified Lowrey TBO Berkshire organ. Since the late 1980s, Townshend has mostly used Synclavier Digital Audio systems for his keyboard music, especially for solo albums.
Literary Work
Besides his music, Pete Townshend has been very involved in writing for over 30 years. He has written articles for newspapers and magazines, book reviews, essays, books, and scripts.
In August 1970, Townshend started writing a monthly column for the British music paper Melody Maker. He shared his thoughts on many topics, including the media and concert halls. He also wrote three long essays for Rolling Stone magazine. One of these, "In Love With Meher Baba," described his spiritual beliefs.
In 1977, Townshend started his own publishing company, Eel Pie Publishing. It published children's books, music books, and books about Meher Baba. He also opened a bookstore in London called Magic Bus, named after a popular Who song. The Story of Tommy, a book about his 1969 rock opera, was published by Eel Pie.
In 1983, Townshend became an editor for a London publisher, Faber and Faber. He helped publish books by other artists and writers. Two years later, Townshend published his own book, Horse's Neck. It was a collection of short stories he wrote between 1979 and 1984. The stories were about childhood, fame, and spirituality. Through his work at Faber and Faber, Townshend became friends with famous authors like William Golding and Ted Hughes. His friendship with Hughes led to Townshend creating a musical based on Hughes's children's story The Iron Man in 1989.
Townshend has written several scripts throughout his career. This includes many versions of his Lifehouse project. In 1984, he wrote a script for White City: A Novel, which became a short film.
In 1989, Townshend started working on a novel called Ray High & The Glass Household. Parts of this story were used in his 1993 solo album Psychoderelict. In 1993, Townshend wrote another book, The Who's Tommy, about the Broadway version of his rock opera.
In 2000, Townshend launched his personal website and a commerce site, Eelpie.com. These gave him more ways to share his writing. In September 2005, Townshend started posting a story online called The Boy Who Heard Music. This was background for a musical.
Townshend's autobiography, Who I Am, was released in October 2012. It became a best-seller. In 2019, Townshend announced his first novel, The Age of Anxiety. He described it as a "meditation on manic genius and the dark art of creativity." An opera and an art installation based on the novel are also planned.
Spirituality
In 1967, Townshend began to explore spiritual ideas. He quickly learned about the teachings of Meher Baba. By April 1968, he became a follower of Baba. Around this time, Townshend had been looking for an idea for a rock opera. He created a story inspired by Baba's teachings. This story became Tommy.
Personal Life
Relationships
Townshend met Karen Astley, the daughter of a film composer, while they were in art school. They married on 20 May 1968. They had three children: Emma (born 1969), Aminta (born 1971), and Joseph (born 1989).
Townshend and Karen separated in 1994. He has since been in a relationship with musician Rachel Fuller, whom he secretly married in 2016. Townshend has owned several homes, including one in Richmond, London and another in Churt, Surrey.
Hearing Loss
Townshend has partial deafness and tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ears. This is likely because he was exposed to very loud music for a long time. The Who were known for their extremely loud live shows. One concert in 1976 was even listed as the "Loudest Concert Ever" by the Guinness Book of Records. Townshend also believes his hearing loss was made worse by Keith Moon's drum set exploding during a 1967 TV appearance.
In 1989, Townshend helped start a group called H.E.A.R. (Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers). This group helps people with hearing problems. After The Who performed at the Super Bowl in 2010, Townshend said his tinnitus had gotten so bad that he might have to stop performing. He later found that using an in-ear monitor helped him continue to play. In 2011, he wrote on his blog that his hearing was "better than ever" because he was taking good care of it. He uses computer systems to help him with his music work.
Political Views
In 1998, Townshend was listed as a major financial supporter of the UK Labour Party. In 2012, he jokingly called himself a "bit of a neocon" and said he liked the idea of America being the world's police force. In 2019, Townshend said he was in favor of the United Kingdom staying in the European Union.
Charity Work
Townshend has been involved with many charities throughout his career. His first solo concert in 1974 was a benefit show to raise money for a community center.
In 1968, Townshend gave his old apartment to the Meher Baba Association. He also helped manage the center. In 1969 and 1972, Townshend produced albums for the Baba association. Part of the money from his 1972 album Who Came First went to the association. In 2000, a special boxed set of these albums was released, with all profits going to the Avatar Meher Baba Trust in India. This trust helped fund a hospital and school.
Children's Charities
Townshend has actively supported children's charities. The first performance of his musical Tommy in 1992 was a benefit for the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation. This organization helps children with autism and intellectual disability.
In 1995, Townshend performed at a benefit for the Children's Health Fund. The next year, he performed at the annual Bridge School Benefit in California. This facility helps children with severe speech and physical problems. In 1997, Townshend started working with Maryville Academy, a children's charity in Chicago. Between 1997 and 2002, he played five benefit shows for Maryville Academy, raising over $1.6 million. His 1998 album A Benefit for Maryville Academy also supported their work.
As a member of the Who, Townshend has played many concerts since 2000 to benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK. These concerts have raised millions of pounds. In 2005, Townshend performed at a children's charity fundraiser in New York. He also donated a smashed guitar to the Pediatric Epilepsy Project.
In 2011, Roger Daltrey and Townshend launched the Daltrey/Townshend Teen and Young Adult Cancer Program in Los Angeles. This program is funded by The Who's charity, Who Cares. In 2024, Townshend played guitar on a re-release of a song by Mark Knopfler to help the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Amnesty International
In 1979, Townshend helped the human rights organization Amnesty International. He performed three songs for their benefit show The Secret Policeman's Ball. These performances were released on record and in a film. Townshend's acoustic performances were later seen as an inspiration for the "unplugged" trend in the 1990s.
The producer of the show, Martin Lewis, said that Townshend's involvement was key to getting other famous musicians to support Amnesty. These included Sting, Eric Clapton, and Phil Collins. Many other performers, like Peter Gabriel and Bono from U2, were inspired to support Amnesty International because of Townshend's early commitment.
Discography
Solo Albums
- Who Came First (1972)
- Rough Mix (1977) (with Ronnie Lane)
- Empty Glass (1980)
- All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes (1982)
- White City: A Novel (1985)
- The Iron Man: The Musical by Pete Townshend (1989)
- Psychoderelict (1993)
Townshend also released several albums dedicated to his spiritual mentor Meher Baba, listed on the discography page.
Guest Appearances
In 1968, Townshend helped put together a band called Thunderclap Newman. He produced their music and played bass on their recordings using the funny name "Bijou Drains." Their first song, "Something in the Air," became a number one hit in the UK.
In 1971, Townshend, along with Keith Moon and Ronnie Lane, played on a song called "Warm Heart Pastry" for Mike Heron's solo album. They were listed as "Tommy and the Bijoux."
In 1984, Townshend wrote lyrics for a song on his brother Simon's first solo album. He also shared songwriting credit on two songs for Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour's 1984 solo album.
Townshend often recorded and performed with his girlfriend Rachel Fuller, who is a classically trained pianist and singer-songwriter.
In 2006, Townshend started a website for The Lifehouse Method. This was based on his 1971 Lifehouse idea. People could enter information on the website to create a musical "portrait."
Other appearances include:
- The Kids Are Alright with The Who, a rockumentary film (1979)
- "Because You're Young" with David Bowie on Scary Monsters (1980)
- Backing vocals on "Slave" with "The Rolling Stones" on Tattoo You (1981)
- Acoustic guitar on "Ball and Chain" with Elton John on Jump Up! (1982)
- Backing vocals on "I'm the Answer" with Simon Townshend on Sweet Sound (1983)
- "Lonely at the Top" and "Hard Woman" with Mick Jagger on She's the Boss (1985)
- Guitar on "Town of Plenty" with Elton John on Reg Strikes Back (1988)
- Acoustic guitar with Prefab Sprout on "Hey Manhattan!" on From Langley Park to Memphis (1988)
- "Substitute" with the Ramones on Acid Eaters (1993)
- "Joy" and "Gun" with Mick Jagger on Goddess in the Doorway (2001)
- "Slow Burn" with David Bowie on Heathen (2002)
- "Angry" and "Move Over Busker" on Paul McCartney's Press to Play (1986)
- "Travelator" on Jean-Michel Jarre's Electronica 1: The Time Machine (2015)
Awards
- BRIT Awards 1983 – Life Achievement Award
- Q Awards 1991 – Merit Award
- International Rock Awards 1991 – Living Legend Award
- Tony Award 1993 – Best Original Score (music & lyrics) – The Who's Tommy (tie)
- Grammy Awards 1994 – Best Musical Show Album (as composer and lyricist of The Who's Tommy)
- Q Awards 1998 – Songwriter Award
- Grammy Awards 2001 – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Ivor Novello Awards 2001 – Lifetime Achievement Award
- South Bank Show Award 2007 – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Honorary doctorate from University of West London, 2010
- MOJO Awards 2008 – Hall of Fame
- MOJO Awards 2008 – Classic Songwriter
- Classic Album Award for Quadrophenia from the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards at The Roundhouse, 9 November 2011, London, England
- TEC Awards 2013 – Les Paul Award
- Stevie Ray Vaughan Award 2015
- The George and Ira Gershwin Award 2016 – Lifetime Musical Achievement.
- American Academy of Achievement 2019 – Golden Plate Award. Townshend received his Golden Plate along with Roger Daltrey and presented by Awards Council member Peter Gabriel.
Other Lifetime Honours
- 1990 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- 2005 UK Music Hall of Fame
- 2008 Kennedy Center Honors
