HENRY DILTZ, AFP/Getty Images When Rhode Island's Newport Jazz Festival…
Pete Townshend Regrets Joining the Who
- Posted on Mar 23rd 2011 9:49PM by Benjy Eisen
Gareth Cattermole, WireImage
"What would I have done differently?" he asks. "I would never have joined a band. Even though I am quite a good gang member and a good trooper on the road, I am bad at creative collaboration."
We never would've guessed. Townshend goes on to explain that, given a second go of it, he would've pursued a solo career more along the lines of Brian Eno. He also attributes his well-publicized hearing loss and other health issues to being in the Who. Which leads us to ask -- blame the band... or blame the exploding drum kit?
Check out details about the magazine, which comes from the team behind Uncut, at the official website. Townshend, by the way, is still an active member of the Who, along with original vocalist Roger Daltrey.
- Filed under: News, Pop Culture, Holy Hell
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Thanks for sharing such an interesting and informative post.
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Most of you are missing the point. Pete is nearly deaf and in constant pain from tinnitus. He's not saying he would have been a major solo artist - he explicitly invokes Eno as a model for behind the scenes producer/sonic architect.
He's also explicitly acknowledging his failures with The Who by underscoring that he did not collaborate well with others -- as he delivered the demos and said to the band, basically - here, do this. No collaboration at all. His control freak nature is what lead to the famous fist fight with Daltrey rehearsing Quadrophenia. *Because* of that Pete, looking back, isn't so sure he was best for *a band*.
Of course, Pete firmly believes what he said at that moment. Asked 2 hours later he might also believe 180 degrees opposite.
But having seen The Who live in the 1970s along with all the other Usual Suspects, it's my belief that The Who were the greatest live band in rock history. And Pete Townshend, no matter what he says, was born to create melody in the middle of chaos, wield his guitar as a sonic weapon, and in telepathic link with Moon create devastating lyrical flair.
A shame the kids today have no idea at all. None.
eddiemylove
All downhill after "The Who Sell Out" with the exception of "Tommy" which was a good concept. Keith Moon was the best rock drummer of all time. The rest of The Who were okay.
March 27 2011 at 9:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Flucido
Pete's right. You can't say Pete's solo albums are "worse" than the Who songs. You are missing the point that he wrote BOTH. Pete is a grat songwriter and an excellent guitarist. He IS the WHO! As far as I'm concerned, I'm sure he would have had great success as a solo act too! But I will fault him for briefly forgetting that the Who is one of the greatest performing bands live that you'll ever see. Roger, Keith and John were (are) terrific musicians.
March 26 2011 at 9:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Robert
Just two questions. Who the F**K is pete townhen? Who the F**K is the hoo? Two more.....why is this newsworthy? Who gives a rats ass? Why don't you write about the good bands of today that somebody might just care about intead of those old fogeys? Let them rot in hell where they belong.
March 26 2011 at 9:03 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Matthew, Boise
'Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
March 26 2011 at 8:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Ira
I guess it wasn't a BARGAIN...
I WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN...
Does he think I AM ONE...
Can you see THE REAL ME...
I guess he is stuck between HEAVEN AND HELL (with all due respects to John)...
WHO ARE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ira
So, if Pete was a heroin addict in the streets playing for tips, would he still wish he hadn't joined a band? Jeez, what an AH.
Pete, maybe you should apoligize to your fans, John's family, and Keith's family. And give Roger a call and tell him you were misquoted.
Jeez...
Ira
Now I'm mad. Does Pete wish we weren't entertained, enlightened, had joy brought to our lives? Maybe he is an AH. Damn, what a talented AH who doesn't even know how fortune landed upon him.
March 26 2011 at 6:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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