by Scott Campbell,
Program Director, Garage to Stadiums podcast
Listen to The Story of The Who on any podcast platform
Download the Official Garage to Stadiums The Who playlist on Apple Music or Spotify.
Access the Episode Transcript
Follow Garage to Stadiums on Instagram
Pete Townshend, the legendary guitarist and primary songwriter of The Who, rose to prominence amidst the chaos and fervor of one of rock’s most dynamic and influential bands. Through the pandemonium that characterized The Who, Townshend's creative genius blossomed, leaving a lasting impact on the landscape of rock music. His compatriots in The Who were equally talented in the musicianship department helping to impart his creative songwriting with sonic sounds. Mark Wilkerson, author of Who Are You: The Life of Pete Townshend joined Garage to Stadiums host Dave Anthony to discuss the career of Townshend and his vessel, The Who.
The background of the innovator
Born in 1945 in Chiswick, London, Townshend was exposed to music from a young age, thanks to his parents' involvement in the music industry. His father was a professional saxophonist, and his mother was a singer. This early exposure cultivated Townshend's deep appreciation for a wide range of musical styles, from swing to jazz to rock and roll.
Evolving the potential of early rock sounds
In 1964, Townshend co-founded The Who with Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon. Their first single, I Can't Explain, released in 1965, captured attention with its aggressive guitar riff and energetic style.
Their third single, My Generation, truly established them as a force in the rock scene. The song, with its rebellious lyrics and distinctive stuttered delivery, became an anthem for the mod subculture in the UK and may have even set the foundation for the punk movement years later.
Incorporating performance art into concerts
The band quickly gained a reputation for their explosive live performances and rebellious attitude. Townshend's innovative guitar techniques, including feedback and power chords, set the band apart from their contemporaries. His flair for dramatic performance was inspired by his art school classes with a performance art professor. Townshend’s turn at performance art resulted in the now-iconic smashing of his guitar on stage, a regular concert feature that embodied the raw energy and disorder defined by The Who. Soon drummer Keith Moon joined in and regularly destroyed his drum kits.
Reflecting the culture of the day in music
The Who's debut album, My Generation (1965), was a reflection of the mod movement and youth rebellion of the 1960s. The album included other notable tracks like The Kids Are Alright and A Legal Matter. Their early success was bolstered by their appearance on popular television shows and their dynamic live performances.
The band's second album, A Quick One (1966), showcased their growing musical ambitions with the mini-opera A Quick One, While He's Away, a nine-minute suite that hinted at the ambitious rock operas they would later create.
This was followed by The Who Sell Out (1967), a commercially and critically successful concept album to protest the British Act that restricted independent "pirate radio stations" from competing with government and corporate owned radio networks. The Who satirized this by literally creating an overly commercial album complete with mock advertisements included.
Spirituality drives musical creativity to create a new form of rock
Townshend's rise to genius status is all the more amazing when one considers his ability to channel the bedlam of The Who into such groundbreaking musical innovation. While the band's public image was one of destruction and rebellion, Townshend's approach to music was highly disciplined and intellectual. He was a voracious reader and thinker, drawing inspiration from a wide array of sources, including literature, philosophy, and spirituality.
One of Townshend’s inspirations was spiritual guru Meher Baba. Born in India and initially coming to prominence as a musical prodigy, Baba claimed to have experienced a seven-year-long spiritual awakening that transformed him into God in human form. The first sign of Baba’s influence on Townshend came in the form of The Who’s 1969 rock opera, Tommy. The central character’s battles as a “deaf, dumb, and blind kid” were directly inspired by Baba’s teaching. Townshend may have borrowed one of Baba’s most notable qualities for Tommy’s muteness, given that for decades Baba remained voluntarily silent.
Tommy is one of Townshend's most significant contributions to rock music. This ambitious project was first inspired by Kit Lambert, the son of a music composer who went on to become The Who's manager. He encouraged Pete to experiment with new forms of musical structure that could tell a story within an album format. The duo dubbed the new concept a "rock opera". The first rock opera, Tommy, was released in 1969, as a double album that told the story of a deaf, dumb, and blind boy who becomes a pinball champion in the form of the first ever rock opera. Tommy was a groundbreaking critical and commercial success, showcasing Townshend's ability to blend storytelling with music in a way that had never been done before. It elevated The Who to new levels of artistic and commercial success. This project cemented his reputation as a visionary in the music world. The album's success led to a performance at Woodstock and a tour that solidified their reputation as one of the best live acts in rock.
Tommy only arrived after Meher Baba’s death, but Townshend wasn’t done with his preoccupation with Baba just yet. Less than two years after the release of Tommy, Townshend once again tapped into Baba’s philosophy for Lighthouse, his rock opera that never came to fruition. Instead, the remnants of the project were turned into their next studio album, Who's Next (1971), another landmark release. Who's Next, stands as a pinnacle of rock music, showcasing Townshend and the band at their creative and energetic peak. The album is renowned for its fusion of powerful rock anthems and sophisticated synthesizer work, exemplified by tracks like Baba O'Riley and Won't Get Fooled Again, which have become iconic in rock history. The album's critical and commercial success solidified The Who's reputation as musical innovators and enduring legends in rock.
Envisioning and incorporating futuristic sounds into the music
Avante-garde composer Terry Riley was another strong influence on Townshend’s writing. The pioneering American composer was known for his minimalist music and innovative use of repetitive patterns and tape loops. This influence is most evident on Who's Next, particularly in tracks like Baba O'Riley, which directly nods to Riley through its title and use of synthesizer loops. Riley's exploration of sustained tones and electronic soundscapes helped Townshend push the boundaries of rock music, leading to a more experimental and textured approach in his compositions. Townshend even turned one of the bathrooms in his house into a home studio to experiement with these new sounds. He would create demos of songs at home and bring them to the studio for the band to hear. This melding of minimalist principles with rock's energy and ethos contributed to the distinct and enduring sound of The Who during this era. Baba O’Riley takes its name from Meher Baba and Terry Riley, two of Pete Townshend’s strongest influences.
Circling back to the band’s own history for another innovation + a new artistic medium for expression
In 1973, The Who released Quadrophenia, another rock opera which Townshend refers to as The Who’s “crowning achievement”. It is celebrated as one of the greatest albums in rock history due to its ambitious concept, sophisticated songwriting, and powerful performances. The double album tells the story of Jimmy, a young mod struggling with identity and societal pressures, capturing the angst and rebellion of 1960s British youth. Townshend's masterful composition blends rock, orchestral elements, and innovative synthesizer work, creating a rich, textured soundscape. Songs like The Real Me, 5:15, I’m One and Love, Reign O'er Me highlight the band's dynamic range and emotional depth. The album's exploration of complex themes such as mental health, societal disillusionment, and personal identity resonates deeply with listeners, making Quadrophenia not just a musical masterpiece, but a profound cultural statement. Adaptations of both Tommy and Quadrophenia became successful motion pictures.
Mayhem and Madness
While The Who's career included celebrated and groundbreaking music it also included legendary chaotic “rock and roll” behaviour. Famed for their wild onstage antics, the band was also notorious for infighting, sometimes escalated into physical brawls. Keith Moon was infamous for his destructive tendencies (we even mentioned in the episode that the character Animal, The Muppet Show drummer who loved loud solos, good times and blowing things up, was based on Moon) including trashing hotel rooms and indulging in extreme substance abuse, which ultimately led to his tragic death in 1978 at age 32. John Entwistle would die years later from a cocaine-induced heart attack.
Townshend has spoken openly about his own substance abuse in the 1970s and 1980a, particularly with alcohol, cocaine, and heroin. The madness around the band extended beyond their personal demons; in 1979, a tragic stampede at their Cincinnati concert resulted in the deaths of 11 fans, casting a dark shadow over their legacy. This tragedy stands as one of the darkest moments in rock history. Despite these turbulent and chaotic events that constantly surrounded The Who, Townshend's genius was somehow able to persevere and shine threw from the eye of the storm of mayhem that enveloped The Who during their prime years.
The Who's later years combine with Townshend's solid solo work
Following Moon's death, The Who continued with veteran drummer Kenney Jones, releasing two more albums before disbanding temporarily following a much celebrated “farewell” concert 1982.
However, the break-up is short lived and the next time they reunite is for Live Aid in 1985, still at the top of their game. Townshend and Daltrey have continued to tour as The Who well into their seventies.
Meanwhile by the onset of the 1980’s Townshend was increasingly exacerbated by the band's slow descent to becoming a nostalgia act, continuously performing their classic hits to satisfy loyal fans. Despite his desire to evolve musically he felt confined by the expectations and legacy of The Who. This tension between honouring the past and striving for artistic innovation created a period of frustration and creative conflict for him. This resulted in the initial “retirement” of the Who in 1982 and also in some excellent solo efforts which showcased his continued creativity and willingness to explore new musical landscapes outside of The Who.
His 1980 solo album Empty Glass was a critical and commercial success, featuring hits like Let My Love Open the Door and Rough Boys. The former track shows Pete's subtle ability to create layered meaning in his songs. According to episode guest Mark Wilkerson, the song is written by the perspective of God asking people to "let his love open the door to their hearts". The album was praised for its introspective lyrics and fresh sound, demonstrating Townshend's ability to craft compelling music outside the framework of The Who.
A legacy of creative achievements that evolved the music industry
Pete Townshend's and the Who’s impact on rock music is immeasurable. The innovative fusion of high-energy performances inspired by performance art, the pioneering use of technology, and thematic album concepts significantly shaped the evolution of rock music. Townshend’s ability to meld complex concepts into a groundbreaking approach to songwriting and album structure influenced countless musicians and bands that followed. Townshend's willingness to take risks and explore new artistic territories set a standard for what rock music could achieve.
Despite the madness that often surrounded The Who in terms of fractious inter-band relationships, several members' substance addictions, and trashed instruments and hotel rooms at concert stops, Townshend's vision and dedication allowed him to rise above the pandemonium. His ability to transform personal and collective turmoil into art is remarkable. This contrast was communicated by episode guest Mark Wilkerson.
The Who's legacy has been celebrated through numerous awards, including their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. In Bono’s induction speech he speaks to not only their spirit but also their courage and innovation: “They took on more than any other group”. This was due to the creative genius of Pete Townshend and legendary musicianship and spirit of The Who.
© 2024 Garage To Stadiums Podcast