Pete Townshend, the iconic guitarist and songwriter for The Who, remains a towering figure in rock music. Born on May 19, 1945, Pete Townshend is currently 78 years old. However, age is just a number when considering his vast contributions and ongoing influence on music and culture. His career spans decades, marked by innovation, electrifying performances, and a profound impact on rock and roll. Let’s delve into the journey of this remarkable musician, from his early days to his current status as a rock legend.
From Banjo Beginnings to Art School Inspiration
Townshend’s musical journey didn’t start with the guitar. His initial foray into music involved the banjo, an instrument he played in a schoolboy jazz band named The Confederates. Interestingly, this group also featured John Entwistle, later to become The Who’s bassist, on trumpet. As musical tastes evolved, so did their instruments. Entwistle switched to bass guitar, and the two friends joined another band, The Scorpions, with Townshend on guitar. These early experiences laid the groundwork for a musical partnership that would define rock history.
Simultaneously, Townshend pursued graphic design at Ealing School of Art. This period proved transformative, exposing him to radical performance art and American blues music. These seemingly disparate influences – avant-garde art and raw blues – would profoundly shape The Detours, the band that Roger Daltrey, a slightly older student from their grammar school, had formed. Daltrey invited Entwistle to join The Detours, and about six months later, Entwistle convinced Daltrey to bring Townshend into the fold. This marked the formation of the nucleus of The Who.
The Who’s Explosive Rise and Townshend’s Leadership
The arrival of drummer Keith Moon in 1964, coupled with managers Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp, propelled The Who into the stratosphere. Townshend increasingly emerged as the band’s leader and spokesman. He became a central figure in the British musical boom of the 1960s. As The Who’s guitarist and principal composer, he was the driving force behind a body of work celebrated for its power, inventiveness, and articulate expression within rock music.
From the explosive energy of early singles like “My Generation,” “Substitute,” and “I Can See For Miles,” to the ambitious scope of rock operas such as Tommy, Lifehouse, and Quadrophenia, Townshend established himself as one of rock’s most gifted and imaginative musicians. These works were not just collections of songs; they were conceptual explorations, pushing the boundaries of rock music both musically and thematically.
The Visual Guitarist and Eloquent Spokesman
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Townshend dedicated his creative energy primarily to The Who. His stage presence became legendary. He was recognized as the most visually captivating guitarist of his generation, and generations to come. His performances were characterized by dynamic movement, leaps, and his signature “windmill” strumming technique, a dramatic arm-spinning motion across the guitar strings. Beyond the visual spectacle, Townshend developed a unique and influential guitar style. It was a blend of rhythm and lead, ranging from furiously strummed chords and powerful power chords to intricate chromatic scales and delicate finger-picking. Adding to the theatricality, he famously smashed guitars at the climax of performances, a rebellious act that became synonymous with The Who’s explosive energy.
Beyond his musical contributions, Townshend became one of rock’s most articulate voices. He was a sought-after interviewee, known for his insightful and often controversial commentary. In 1970 and 1971, his series of articles for Melody Maker challenged the established norms of the music industry, solidifying his reputation as a pioneer and someone who questioned the trappings of fame.
Solo Ventures and Spiritual Exploration
In 1967, Townshend’s spiritual journey led him to become a follower of the Indian spiritual teacher Meher Baba. This spiritual influence deeply impacted his creative output. He released three privately circulated devotional albums inspired by Meher Baba. This exploration culminated in Who Came First (1972), his first official non-Who album. This marked the beginning of a significant solo career alongside his work with The Who. He followed this with Rough Mix (1977), a collaboration with fellow Meher Baba devotee Ronnie Lane, and a string of solo albums including Empty Glass (1980), All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes (1982), White City: A Novel (1985), The Iron Man: The Musical by Pete Townshend (1988), and Psychoderelict (1993).
During The Who’s temporary disbandment in 1984, Townshend formed an ad-hoc band called Deep End, releasing a live album in 1986. He also released the Scoop series of albums, featuring demos of Who songs, solo material, and unreleased projects, offering fans a unique glimpse into his creative process.
Internet Pioneer and Enduring Creativity
Starting in the 1990s, Townshend toured extensively, primarily in North America, with a solo band. Initially focused on performing Psychoderelict, his shows evolved to include solo material and Who classics, often for charitable causes. His intellectual curiosity extended beyond music. Townshend ran his own book publishing company and worked as an editor at Faber & Faber, which published his collection of short stories, Horse’s Neck, in 1985.
Ever forward-thinking, Townshend was an early adopter of the internet. His regular and candid online journals and essays became essential reading for fans, establishing him as an internet pioneer. His visionary Lifehouse project, which underpinned The Who’s Who’s Next album, envisioned concepts remarkably prescient of the modern internet, including a national communications network and virtual reality-like “experience suits.” While the technology of the 1970s couldn’t realize Lifehouse fully, Townshend’s concepts foreshadowed the digital world we inhabit today. He eventually brought Lifehouse to the stage and online in the early 2000s, demonstrating his long-term commitment to his artistic vision.
Continued Relevance and Current Activities
Pete Townshend’s career shows no signs of slowing down. The Who continues to perform and record, releasing Endless Wire, their first new studio album in 24 years, in 2006 and WHO in 2019. His autobiography, Who I Am, published in 2012, provided a candid account of his life. The Who celebrated their 50th anniversary with a major tour and greatest hits album in 2014-2016, showcasing their enduring popularity. Townshend’s solo work also continues to be recognized, with re-releases of his back catalog on Universal Music in 2016. In 2019, he announced a new novel, The Age of Anxiety, and an accompanying music album, further demonstrating his multifaceted creativity.
At 78 years old, Pete Townshend remains an active and influential figure in music. His contributions to rock are undeniable, his innovative spirit continues to inspire, and his legacy as a guitarist, songwriter, and visionary is firmly cemented. From his early days smashing guitars to his current explorations of music and literature, Pete Townshend’s journey is a testament to the power of creativity and the enduring spirit of rock and roll.
