I love him but he had huge addiction problems in the past..don`t know how he`s doing now..I`m pretty surw I heard him say in an interview he was drunk at this show.
John is a tremendously talented guitarist, but he contributes little here. My guess is that Pete and John spent zero time rehearsing together and that this is the first time that John ever played this song. In at least two places you can see Pete subtly nod to John, as if to say, "Do something! Please!" John, however, is either unable to improvise under these conditions or is simple unwilling to disrupt what he sees as Pete's solo performance. A lack of planning on both their parts.
"It's not often you hear a guitarist who can sing well..." How true, but here the guitarist is not singing, John Williams is just going through the motions on his instrument while Townshend flogs his to within an inch of its miserable life. As for Pete downing a bottle of brandy before going onstage - he would need it, or else a very hard neck to even sit on the same stage as JW. Townshend should end up in court for guitar abuse. I suppose we shouldn't mock the afflicted :-)
@Celiamel Trolling or just mean-spirited? Another interpretation of this is Pete putting a whole lot of emotion into performing the song while John almost casually accompanies him. If you ask me, it's John that looks out of place here. Both respected guitarists in their genres and deservedly so.
It's almost impossible to compare two guitarists of a similar style, let alone two that are as vastly different as Townsend & Williams. Just enjoy it for what it is............or sit down and have a nice cup of Shut the fuck up!
I don't know if it's the sound quality of this particular upload or just the sound on the night but I really can't hardly hear Williams at all and that's a pity. He didn't really need to be up there anyway. Pete was doing a terrific job on his own.
This is another song from the early "Secret Policeman's Ball" shows in the UK that hit me when I was trying to figure out what kind of acoustic musician I wanted to be.These shows were awesome to me,hard to find vinyl even back then.You were lucky to stumble on any broadcast of these shows back then.Ya had to do the footwork yerself.I was still into my "The Who" years..starting to turn to the Bob Dylan/Springtseen/ Woody Guthries/U2's.This later morphed into the We are the WorldUSAfor Africa.
as much of a fan as i am, you can tell her drunk because he screws up the chorus lol its starts at 0:34 he suppoed to say "tip my hat..." but i dunno, pete did change up the lyrics when they did songs live sometimes
creo que pete es irrepetible. cuando en un mismo ser, juntas aun poeta y un excelente músico sale un genio y eso es lo que es pete. maravilloso y su guitarra única en el universo. gracias pete por la buena música que nos has regalado.
@eots123 Dude, Pete Townshend is liberal. The Who has spoken out against the greed of conservative administrations a ton, in fact this one is referring to leaders mindlessly starting wars with each other. Sound familiar?
@TheJediofsuburbia I think it's about politics in general. Especially the Bipartisan system of the U.S. Think about "the parting on the left, is now the parting on the right"... and "meet the new boss, just the same as the old boss".
It's about how these politicians lead the citizenry to believe things will change, that they will be so much different than before. But, "there's nothing in the streets, that's any different to me. And the slogans are replaced, bye-the-bye".
@KevinwHFS But you have to remember the political context. The song was written in 60's/70's England, which historically, has been extremely conservative. Add that Pete has been known to be very liberal throughout the years, and that's the results I get out of the song. It may be about politics, but it is mostly directed at the Conservative Party of England.
@TheJediofsuburbia It was said that this was about an incident at Woodstock, when Abbie Hoffman stormed the stage while Pete was about to perform with the Who. Pete shoved Hoffman off the stage, thus the title of the song. Everything else makes sense of what you said, though. Greg, of "Ameritalian."
I remember buying this album just for this song. I've been setting up my iPhone and searched to buy this version just to play it and seeing the video was AWESOME on you tube-thank you
I think that is a slight underestimation of an instrumental virtuoso/genius. A) they know their instrument more intimately than most parts of their bodies, so improvising over even the most complicated of harmonies is frankly, easy.
And B) They are ALWAYS prepared... which is why they are a different species from both you & I.
Besides, i can see he knows exactly what he is doing. He first plays an A major 3rd position followed by Gmaj - Dmaj 2nd position chords, all in time.. so it is all there.
I was just talking about Williams. I dont doubt he is amazing, just I saw a interview with Townshend saying that they had only performed this once before.
EH...I don't know if I'd go to the lengths of claiming Townshend is a "guitar god"...he might be one of the most influential, and one of the best songwriters ever...but he wasn't a skilled guitarist by any means...
Like Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, Clapton, Muddy Waters, BB King....?
I know what you mean, but I think it is even more impressive when a singer can play guitar this well. By the way, check out the recording of Drowned from the same show if you haven't already - spectacular.
@JimmyPage115 Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, John Lennon, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Prince, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and some others
C'est lui qui compose tout !!! Il joue tellement bien, j'en bave !!! C'est bizarre de le voir normal, qui ne saute pas partout en tapant sa guitare contre les amplis...
when Pete does any Who song, the song takes on another character...Not as angry, more humble...more of a plea. Pete ? Roger? Doesn't matter, the songs are incredible....
@cheappassion i did this acoustic version and his singing alot better than the usual who "overexitement" on stage.. i LOVE This version. but i happen to like just singing and guitar better in general. much more dynamic and feeling-transportive
Definitely a plea at this time. He was ravaged with alcohol and he was going bankrupt from mismanagement (and thievery) at his charities and other interests. He was a raw nerve. John Williams claims that Pete was pissed out of his brain here. He'd just downed a bottle of brandy backstage - but he is such a solid player he hides it well.
John Williams said later that Pete actually passed out during this performance, during the bridge, because he was so fucking drunk.
You can hear a bit of a drop at 3:04 in his rhythhm playing, but he seems to wake up rather quickly. I don't know how much faith to put in Williams' acocunt.
However, if you look closely at 2:28-2:30 he does look ready to fall into a boozy nap.
your so wrong pal,this isnt a pissed performance,Pete always closes his eyes when singing,and as for a "drop" at 3:04.....what are you on ?????there is no "drop" its a change of key!!
this john williams is a fantastic australian classical guitarist. quite possibly the best. the star wars music (along with schindlers list ;P and a myriad of other soundtrakcs) was composed by a john williams (who's american), but not this one. hope that helps.
This is youtube! Why would you look here for comments with substance? That's the whole point for most of us. If I want serious debate and opinions I might look somewhere else. It's called having a laugh. This response is worse than the time I dared to suggest Jimmy Page might not be immortal over on the Led Zep vids.
I would have thought that you'd appreciate that if Townshend acknowledged John Williams to the crowd at the end, then that would have been enough of a recommendation for you, but no. you know better than Townshend.
By pointing out the obvious, is that what you call killing someone?
Fair enough, you've seen the error of your ways so maybe you won't be so quick to bad mouth somebody on something you clearly have no idea about. Result.
we're supposed to be discussing the video not each others failings.
If you listen to the original Who track, you might notice that John Williams is trying to emulate the organ part.
FFS! There sould be some kind of test before eejits are allowed to comment on music. Listen and learn.
I bet you went and googled John Williams before you backtracked and tried to come up with a valid reason for calling him a monkey.
With an attitude like yours, your post is worthless. No, I take that back. It's worthwhile, because it shows how little you know about music and have no inclination to learn.
The good thing about youtube is that it is a wealth of reference for just about anything. The bad thing is that any ill informed eejit can make a stupid comment on items they know feck all about but it don't matter cos they think it gives them bragging rights to the same ill informed bozo pals about how they posted on youtube.
John Williams is a top class guitarist who HAS done something since the '70's.
If you really ARE into guitar music, I suggest you do some research.
This was my first "unplugged" experience of my life. Imagine being a 19-year old WHO fan and hearing this for the first time (on the radio in 1979). It was a mind blower. Pete's singing is awesome and John expertly gives him all the room he needs while supporting deftly. These guys showed the rest of the world how to do it.
The ignorance of referring to John Williams as a tool is nothing short of chilling...one of the glories of this performance is Pete collaborating with a guitarist who plays from a different perspective.
PJLostDog. I thought Americans got irony these days. This isn't the seventies after all. Mind you, that's the last time John Williams did anything of note. It's not ignorance on my part, I know perfectly well who he is, And Britain has produced many better classical players than him! He's lucky to be on the same stage as Pete. And he is a bit of a tool. He must have known he'd be doing this song, yet has obviously not been arsed to learn it.
What is the irony I missed, that you had to click on my profile and see that I'm an American before you came back with your oh-so-clever retort? You people need to learn to pronounce paella, pasta and jalapeno correctly before you mouth off about anyone :P
PJLostDog, Your're right, my remark was clever. And I'm pretty sure that living in Europe among Spanish and Italian people (not you understand HISpanic or Italian American people which is a different kettle of fish entirely) I can pronounce those words you mention a sight better than you! The same also applies to words such as the prefix 'anti', the word Nuclear and all the others that you seem to have so much trouble with. Relax, it's just a bit of banter. So I think Williams is a tool, deal.
I feel we can claim him because even though he was born in Australia we in the UK had to listen to his trite chocolate box shite on light entertainment telly for fucking decades. I grew up thinking there was only one classical guitarist in the world. He's really not to my taste and I'm entitled to say so.
no secret... pete had downed a fair amount of brandy pre-gig, hadn't really rehearsed with williams and subsequently fell asleep during the number (hence the lurch in editing). this was widely reported at the time and no one contested it. it doesn't really matter in the scheme of things... i will love pete forever and his performance of 'drowned' from earlier in the night is one of the best performances of his career, no debate!
Reading the comments here, this is the first I heard of him having a few before the performance. Having said that,his voice is incredible here. Hits the notes in classic Townshend style with feeling and passion.
Williams looks (and sounds) totally lost. Pete is even nodding to cue him in! FUCK YOU, SEGOVIA!!! - "Hail, Hail ROCK 'n' ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Ok that's unfair. JW is a great classical guitarist and this was/is of course PT's genre and song - of course he knows it better than JW - every performer has miscue's most every performance.
ROCK IT MAN -- WE ARE ONE
daydreams4rock 4 weeks ago
I love him but he had huge addiction problems in the past..don`t know how he`s doing now..I`m pretty surw I heard him say in an interview he was drunk at this show.
lonepilgrim007 1 month ago
im a huge who fan but i remember him saying in an interview once he was loaded at this show
lonepilgrim007 1 month ago
@lonepilgrim007 Hard to believe he could have been that loaded sounding this great while playing a acoustic guitar and singing.
sparkyandmaggie 1 month ago
i love this Mohr every time i hear it
matthew16901 2 months ago
Thanks, Slam Man, for bringing attention to this version...amazing
ebrtmyr 2 months ago
It's just Mohr stories...
SleazyE08 2 months ago
Why don't we have statues and libraries in honor of guys like this?
Tamaslammer 2 months ago
great, as always for Pete
wmwastle 2 months ago
Beautiful version . Anyway, this song is great.
Georgijus36 3 months ago
No comment...the song says it all I need to say about the awesomeness of THE WHO
MegaPoone 4 months ago
Do You? and then the look he gives to the snobby audience,ficking classic
joof68 4 months ago
This moves me so much more than the original, the subtlety of it makes it awsome
Doba1ar 6 months ago
five people are hypnotized and lie
jaykillla 6 months ago
@jaykillla LOL
Georgijus36 3 months ago
was this filmed with a calculator?
Tehwehz 6 months ago 2
I can't figure out what he's doing...I mean chords are A, D, G, C, but...can you help me?
MattMush 7 months ago
4 people are total morons. Pete rules!
Toptopdog 8 months ago 3
John is a tremendously talented guitarist, but he contributes little here. My guess is that Pete and John spent zero time rehearsing together and that this is the first time that John ever played this song. In at least two places you can see Pete subtly nod to John, as if to say, "Do something! Please!" John, however, is either unable to improvise under these conditions or is simple unwilling to disrupt what he sees as Pete's solo performance. A lack of planning on both their parts.
kenp3L 9 months ago
Pistol Pete!
Nalinho 11 months ago
"It's not often you hear a guitarist who can sing well..." How true, but here the guitarist is not singing, John Williams is just going through the motions on his instrument while Townshend flogs his to within an inch of its miserable life. As for Pete downing a bottle of brandy before going onstage - he would need it, or else a very hard neck to even sit on the same stage as JW. Townshend should end up in court for guitar abuse. I suppose we shouldn't mock the afflicted :-)
Celiamel 11 months ago
@Celiamel Trolling or just mean-spirited? Another interpretation of this is Pete putting a whole lot of emotion into performing the song while John almost casually accompanies him. If you ask me, it's John that looks out of place here. Both respected guitarists in their genres and deservedly so.
weirdunclebob 10 months ago
@Celiamel
It's almost impossible to compare two guitarists of a similar style, let alone two that are as vastly different as Townsend & Williams. Just enjoy it for what it is............or sit down and have a nice cup of Shut the fuck up!
foxjudo 6 months ago
how can i download this version to my mp3? love it
zilortep 1 year ago
I don't know if it's the sound quality of this particular upload or just the sound on the night but I really can't hardly hear Williams at all and that's a pity. He didn't really need to be up there anyway. Pete was doing a terrific job on his own.
lunchboxattacks1 1 year ago
I couldn't hear John Williams?? lame I thought he would break in with a beautiful classical inspired solo or something!?
IAmMediocreAtBest 1 year ago
Best. Version. Ever.
RomaniGandalf 1 year ago
I love hearing pete do Who songs solo
WhoClashQueenStones 1 year ago
This is another song from the early "Secret Policeman's Ball" shows in the UK that hit me when I was trying to figure out what kind of acoustic musician I wanted to be.These shows were awesome to me,hard to find vinyl even back then.You were lucky to stumble on any broadcast of these shows back then.Ya had to do the footwork yerself.I was still into my "The Who" years..starting to turn to the Bob Dylan/Springtseen/ Woody Guthries/U2's.This later morphed into the We are the WorldUSAfor Africa.
seansarto 1 year ago
i watched this on telly in 1979,great then,just as great now.
alreadyou 1 year ago
Have this on vinyl . Secret Policeman's Ball. is the title of the album.
LuvSilly 1 year ago
the only reason micheal had a wig on probably was to not get the blame!
robinspillman 1 year ago
as much of a fan as i am, you can tell her drunk because he screws up the chorus lol its starts at 0:34 he suppoed to say "tip my hat..." but i dunno, pete did change up the lyrics when they did songs live sometimes
mullinator7 1 year ago
hate him love him the dude can play a freaking tar
wrsawy1 1 year ago
hes drunk and plays like that? i cant get close sober! awesome post
deanlad27 1 year ago
probs the best accoustic version of anything iv ever heard
rangersal100 1 year ago 3
Jay Mohr is a huge faggot~
bigbagron 1 year ago
@bigbagron - Mmmm faggots (UK)
trendydelquendy 1 year ago
One of the greatest without a doubt.
woajiaorobert 1 year ago
pobre John Williams...i didnt hear a thing from him. :/
beatledag 1 year ago
great version, but if picky, I would say Rog's version is more powerful.....
pogolander 1 year ago
this is one of the greatest moments in rock
Townshend is simply superb
copout7 1 year ago 2
creo que pete es irrepetible. cuando en un mismo ser, juntas aun poeta y un excelente músico sale un genio y eso es lo que es pete. maravilloso y su guitarra única en el universo. gracias pete por la buena música que nos has regalado.
ericarpes 1 year ago
Long Live Pete
ukuleleandy 1 year ago
Pete, you're the best!
fafane59 1 year ago
Are there any obamanites out there? Maybe you could learn a thing or two from this song.
eots123 1 year ago
What? That GWB was a fucking whore-puppet? Nope, I already knew that.
iamnotme123 1 year ago
Won't get any argument from me on that. They all are the same. The face changes but the policies don't. Welcome to the Warfare-Welfare State.
eots123 1 year ago
@eots123 Dude, Pete Townshend is liberal. The Who has spoken out against the greed of conservative administrations a ton, in fact this one is referring to leaders mindlessly starting wars with each other. Sound familiar?
TheJediofsuburbia 1 year ago 2
@TheJediofsuburbia I think it's about politics in general. Especially the Bipartisan system of the U.S. Think about "the parting on the left, is now the parting on the right"... and "meet the new boss, just the same as the old boss".
It's about how these politicians lead the citizenry to believe things will change, that they will be so much different than before. But, "there's nothing in the streets, that's any different to me. And the slogans are replaced, bye-the-bye".
KevinwHFS 1 year ago
@KevinwHFS But you have to remember the political context. The song was written in 60's/70's England, which historically, has been extremely conservative. Add that Pete has been known to be very liberal throughout the years, and that's the results I get out of the song. It may be about politics, but it is mostly directed at the Conservative Party of England.
TheJediofsuburbia 1 year ago
@TheJediofsuburbia It was said that this was about an incident at Woodstock, when Abbie Hoffman stormed the stage while Pete was about to perform with the Who. Pete shoved Hoffman off the stage, thus the title of the song. Everything else makes sense of what you said, though. Greg, of "Ameritalian."
gronia 1 year ago
Where can the be found on mp3?
carriemather 2 years ago
If you download Youtube mp3 converter you can get it straight from youtube!!
Really, it's great
LOVE THE WHO!!
This is one of their best songs
DaffieDuck95 2 years ago
It's safe to say that John Williams had no idea what was going on
dam097 2 years ago
I think Pete was quite drunk for this performance. It's still totally killer.
mattkaslow 2 years ago
Townshend is not acting like himself... Where's the spastic hopping and what not?
Still, this is a very good song, in all it's versions.
MagnificentBurger 2 years ago
@MagnificentBurger he was probably too drunk for all of that.
lowell012013 2 years ago
@lowell012013 True enough.
MagnificentBurger 2 years ago
It's an acoustic performance. Even Townshend would look ridiculous jumping about with an acoustic guitar.
mapscannotcontainme 2 years ago
Agreed--this is the best version of this great song.
glassslide 2 years ago
no, i really think by listeneing to all acoustic versions, that my version is actually the best..no kidding..
towser06 2 years ago
@towser06 Really? I thought yours sucked. no kidding.
knuckles362 2 years ago 2
This is his best version...
Igotbadjoints 2 years ago 2
Beginning of this song sounds a lot like ABBA's "Ring Ring"
SandDec 2 years ago
I remember buying this album just for this song. I've been setting up my iPhone and searched to buy this version just to play it and seeing the video was AWESOME on you tube-thank you
cttypo 2 years ago
This version is edited quite a bit at the end; some parts were cut out. Not a big deal, but the LP has the uncut version.
T
E
D
TedMaloney 2 years ago
I bet john williams' part was pretty damn good... not that i would know though, as some fucking ego has it turned right down in the mix... sheesh..
OrbvsTomarvm 2 years ago
I dont think he knew the song at all. You can see Townshend nodding him in, so he probably didnt do much!
chazde14 2 years ago
I think that is a slight underestimation of an instrumental virtuoso/genius. A) they know their instrument more intimately than most parts of their bodies, so improvising over even the most complicated of harmonies is frankly, easy.
And B) They are ALWAYS prepared... which is why they are a different species from both you & I.
Besides, i can see he knows exactly what he is doing. He first plays an A major 3rd position followed by Gmaj - Dmaj 2nd position chords, all in time.. so it is all there.
OrbvsTomarvm 2 years ago
I was just talking about Williams. I dont doubt he is amazing, just I saw a interview with Townshend saying that they had only performed this once before.
chazde14 2 years ago
You can hear pretty well Williams on the record. The sound on this video is far worse than on the actual soundtrack
AlvarezCutaway 2 years ago
Pete towshend is a guitar god!!
everybodysbud18 2 years ago
*townshend
everybodysbud18 2 years ago
EH...I don't know if I'd go to the lengths of claiming Townshend is a "guitar god"...he might be one of the most influential, and one of the best songwriters ever...but he wasn't a skilled guitarist by any means...
asmorgan88 2 years ago
@asmorgan88 he was skilled for being the only guitar player in the who and he also wrote all the songs so ya he is a god
pauljohngerorgringo 2 years ago
You're right...he was a ROCK God...
Not a fucking GUITAR God.
asmorgan88 2 years ago 3
hell ya
pauljohngerorgringo 2 years ago
@asmorgan88 Let's see/hear you pick up a guitar then.
jaywhofan 10 months ago
He's effing brilliant... a true auteur
alabhaois 2 years ago
There`s no one like this today..Saying it like it is, Great stuff...!
Igotbadjoints 2 years ago
awesome. just fucking awesome, man.
tauico81 2 years ago
No peach schnapps, dear heart, cherry brandy
GeorgiaKitties 2 years ago
its not very often you hear a Guitarist that can sing VERY VERY WELL
JimmyPage115 2 years ago 41
You're forgetting his friend david gilmour :)
Cthulhussama 2 years ago 2
Unlike Clapton, Crosby, Lennon, some Kings, Winwood or Matthews?
Naming these I´m not even half through my list
NankerPhelgee 2 years ago
@JimmyPage115
Maybe he is a singer playing the guitar, lol. By the way, nice nick.
WasGibtsLeute 1 year ago
@JimmyPage115
Like Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, Clapton, Muddy Waters, BB King....?
I know what you mean, but I think it is even more impressive when a singer can play guitar this well. By the way, check out the recording of Drowned from the same show if you haven't already - spectacular.
camcoop25 1 year ago
@JimmyPage115 Clapton?
ejthomp99 8 months ago
The only problem is without Daltrey you don't have the "YEAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
ejthomp99 8 months ago
@JimmyPage115 Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, John Lennon, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Prince, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and some others
iamobeliskquake 6 months ago
this is so apt for today
rogshap 2 years ago
C'est lui qui compose tout !!! Il joue tellement bien, j'en bave !!! C'est bizarre de le voir normal, qui ne saute pas partout en tapant sa guitare contre les amplis...
annee69leo 2 years ago
i prefer roger for the vocals
whkarti 2 years ago
when Pete does any Who song, the song takes on another character...Not as angry, more humble...more of a plea. Pete ? Roger? Doesn't matter, the songs are incredible....
cheappassion 2 years ago 44
@cheappassion absolutely, but not surprising as Pete wrote all of them. One of the best songwriters ever!
wpstoutjesdijk 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@cheappassion absolutely, but not surprising as Pete wrote all of them. One of the best songwriters ever!
wpstoutjesdijk 1 year ago
@cheappassion i did this acoustic version and his singing alot better than the usual who "overexitement" on stage.. i LOVE This version. but i happen to like just singing and guitar better in general. much more dynamic and feeling-transportive
GeekG 1 year ago
@cheappassion
Definitely a plea at this time. He was ravaged with alcohol and he was going bankrupt from mismanagement (and thievery) at his charities and other interests. He was a raw nerve. John Williams claims that Pete was pissed out of his brain here. He'd just downed a bottle of brandy backstage - but he is such a solid player he hides it well.
camcoop25 1 year ago
Scrap Gold- Won't Get Fooled Again (6-28-09)
ScrapGoldBass 2 years ago
isn't this the performanc ethat pete falls asleep during?
jackcelliers 2 years ago
Definitely doesn't look like he falls asleep, although I have read that he was piss drunk or close to it during this performance.
RayZR 2 years ago 2
lol, pete looks a little like Chris O'Dowd here...
ZacharrieSmith 2 years ago
Happy Birthday Townshend 5/19/09
fallenleaf25 2 years ago 3
Just FYI, Williams probably isn't miced because the classical would overpower Pete's SJ.
BillyShears1600 2 years ago
he's got a good voice too, his range is unreal, he can hit very high notes, think about the bit he sings in babaoriley, thats hard to do
Davidls2 2 years ago 5
he has a very distinctive voice - listen to empty glass circa 1979
sandprof 2 years ago 5
Great artist and great event by Amnesty Int'l. Got people like Bono involved according to nice article on Wiki.
lotusax 2 years ago
peach schnapps
unclewaterdirt 2 years ago
this is not the complete version. At 4:13 a significant part of the song is cut out. Does anybody have an uncut video?
norm1964 2 years ago
I'm not sure but I guess since it's an acoustic version itz curtailed a bit and of course we don't have Daltrey here for the scream. :-)
duderocks6483 2 years ago
does anyone have a link to where pete's set is on the policeman's ball? blogspot or something?
DamagedJustice88 2 years ago
pinball wizard
drowned
wont get fooled again
ScreamingColor 2 years ago
is there audio for this event? i really like these three songs by pete!
SpeedyTimes163 2 years ago
not only an amazing song writer/guitarist but this proves what a great singer he is !!
iank1512 3 years ago 2
I have to agree with you! I pay what ever amount to see Pete acoustic on stage solo!
latinlatinolover 3 years ago
"Ha ha that's pretty rich coming from John Williams - I used to have a guitar teacher who knew him... a notorious drunk by all accounts "
Well Pete certainly knew how to pack it away in his time.
Thank God he was able to clean himself up and that we have the continuing priviledge of seeing him perform well into his 60s.
EuchridEucrow1 3 years ago 4
John Williams said later that Pete actually passed out during this performance, during the bridge, because he was so fucking drunk.
You can hear a bit of a drop at 3:04 in his rhythhm playing, but he seems to wake up rather quickly. I don't know how much faith to put in Williams' acocunt.
However, if you look closely at 2:28-2:30 he does look ready to fall into a boozy nap.
EuchridEucrow1 3 years ago
Ha ha that's pretty rich coming from John Williams - I used to have a guitar teacher who knew him... a notorious drunk by all accounts
thomo3107 3 years ago
your so wrong pal,this isnt a pissed performance,Pete always closes his eyes when singing,and as for a "drop" at 3:04.....what are you on ?????there is no "drop" its a change of key!!
davyhboro 3 years ago 2
"...your so wrong pal,this isnt a pissed performance..."
First, I don't think we're close enough for you to be calling me 'pal,' and second I'm just relating what John Williams said.
Take it up with him, compadre.
EuchridEucrow1 3 years ago
Simply Amazing.
kimis1hotb1tch 3 years ago 2
who the hell is john williams the guy who did the star wars music?
billy959 3 years ago
this john williams is a fantastic australian classical guitarist. quite possibly the best. the star wars music (along with schindlers list ;P and a myriad of other soundtrakcs) was composed by a john williams (who's american), but not this one. hope that helps.
joewatson406 3 years ago
what can i say, 'the words are just the same, but the song hasn't changed,'
WhistlingPresident 3 years ago 2
If its closed as far as you're concerned, why comment on it? Or do you have some issue with posters pointing out comments that have no substance?
blindneep 3 years ago
This is youtube! Why would you look here for comments with substance? That's the whole point for most of us. If I want serious debate and opinions I might look somewhere else. It's called having a laugh. This response is worse than the time I dared to suggest Jimmy Page might not be immortal over on the Led Zep vids.
dweebonic23 3 years ago
come on man i ment no offense
just look at the dude-he looks like he aint doing nothing... but hey i listened and now i agree the dude can play guitar...
KingNik1994 3 years ago
Meant no offence? Look at your original post.
"damn!get that monkey next to townshend off the freakin stage! "
Of course it isn't offensive. It just shows your lack of musical education and appreciation. You haven't offended anybody except your teachers.
blindneep 3 years ago
I would have thought that you'd appreciate that if Townshend acknowledged John Williams to the crowd at the end, then that would have been enough of a recommendation for you, but no. you know better than Townshend.
blindneep 3 years ago
blindeep. What are you? John Williams personal bodyguard? If KingNik thinks he's a monkey thats case closed as far as I'm concerned.
dweebonic23 3 years ago
thanks man
i really see that williams can play but come on do you have to kill me for saying what i originally thought?thats just sick...
KingNik1994 3 years ago
Kill you?
By pointing out the obvious, is that what you call killing someone?
Fair enough, you've seen the error of your ways so maybe you won't be so quick to bad mouth somebody on something you clearly have no idea about. Result.
we're supposed to be discussing the video not each others failings.
If you listen to the original Who track, you might notice that John Williams is trying to emulate the organ part.
blindneep 3 years ago
no blind i just meant that he is doing basically nothing compared to townshend and he looks like hes just there for the appearance...
KingNik1994 3 years ago
Doing nothing??????
FFS! There sould be some kind of test before eejits are allowed to comment on music. Listen and learn.
I bet you went and googled John Williams before you backtracked and tried to come up with a valid reason for calling him a monkey.
With an attitude like yours, your post is worthless. No, I take that back. It's worthwhile, because it shows how little you know about music and have no inclination to learn.
blindneep 3 years ago
if u dont tap your feet to that you're not human....fuckin top class
donzie975 3 years ago 2
damn!get that monkey next to townshend off the freakin stage!
KingNik1994 3 years ago
Monkey? John Williams?
The good thing about youtube is that it is a wealth of reference for just about anything. The bad thing is that any ill informed eejit can make a stupid comment on items they know feck all about but it don't matter cos they think it gives them bragging rights to the same ill informed bozo pals about how they posted on youtube.
John Williams is a top class guitarist who HAS done something since the '70's.
If you really ARE into guitar music, I suggest you do some research.
blindneep 3 years ago
The acoustic version shows how talented Townsend is.
cinemoica 3 years ago 5
This was my first "unplugged" experience of my life. Imagine being a 19-year old WHO fan and hearing this for the first time (on the radio in 1979). It was a mind blower. Pete's singing is awesome and John expertly gives him all the room he needs while supporting deftly. These guys showed the rest of the world how to do it.
WeCaVa 3 years ago 2
this is real music, not the stuff u hear in the charts today
picklepopcikle 3 years ago
Do I HEAR you, pickle. Coldplay?
yaknbo 3 years ago
i dont get it.. sory im bein a bit slow 2day lol
picklepopcikle 3 years ago
wait i do get it now... MOST of the stuff u hear 2day is crap xD
picklepopcikle 3 years ago
The ignorance of referring to John Williams as a tool is nothing short of chilling...one of the glories of this performance is Pete collaborating with a guitarist who plays from a different perspective.
PJLostDog 3 years ago
PJLostDog. I thought Americans got irony these days. This isn't the seventies after all. Mind you, that's the last time John Williams did anything of note. It's not ignorance on my part, I know perfectly well who he is, And Britain has produced many better classical players than him! He's lucky to be on the same stage as Pete. And he is a bit of a tool. He must have known he'd be doing this song, yet has obviously not been arsed to learn it.
dweebonic23 3 years ago
What is the irony I missed, that you had to click on my profile and see that I'm an American before you came back with your oh-so-clever retort? You people need to learn to pronounce paella, pasta and jalapeno correctly before you mouth off about anyone :P
PJLostDog 3 years ago
PJLostDog, Your're right, my remark was clever. And I'm pretty sure that living in Europe among Spanish and Italian people (not you understand HISpanic or Italian American people which is a different kettle of fish entirely) I can pronounce those words you mention a sight better than you! The same also applies to words such as the prefix 'anti', the word Nuclear and all the others that you seem to have so much trouble with. Relax, it's just a bit of banter. So I think Williams is a tool, deal.
dweebonic23 3 years ago
John Williams british?...pipe down.
TommyS18CG 3 years ago
I feel we can claim him because even though he was born in Australia we in the UK had to listen to his trite chocolate box shite on light entertainment telly for fucking decades. I grew up thinking there was only one classical guitarist in the world. He's really not to my taste and I'm entitled to say so.
dweebonic23 3 years ago
You can see that Pete is trying not to play too loud so that tool next to him can be heard ocasionally.
dweebonic23 3 years ago
dweebonic23, BULLSEYE ! Who is that guy and he looks like he never even heard this song. HaHaHaHa !!!! Good call !
newfport 3 years ago
I love Pete'voice !
Of course he's a better guitarist than singer, but i enjoy hear him singing, and i like his solo songs.
Shaunyouu 3 years ago
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traxout27 3 years ago
PT has one of the most underrated singing voices.
capricious71 3 years ago 4
who exactly is underrating it??
billheartyface 3 years ago
He's not known for his singing compared to his songwriting and guitar playing is what I meant.
capricious71 3 years ago
It's probably because he's a better songwriter and guitar player than he is a singer. Still, his singing isn't really something to scoff at.
RayZR 3 years ago
no secret... pete had downed a fair amount of brandy pre-gig, hadn't really rehearsed with williams and subsequently fell asleep during the number (hence the lurch in editing). this was widely reported at the time and no one contested it. it doesn't really matter in the scheme of things... i will love pete forever and his performance of 'drowned' from earlier in the night is one of the best performances of his career, no debate!
massiveham 3 years ago
Saw the film at the cinema and purchased the music album. Absolute classic, by all artists, pete, john, tom Robinson et all.
Have tried to buy it on DVD, but seems the music is only available as highlights
:-(
izabelgoudie 3 years ago
anybody know where i could get a good tab for it?
hyperbolicparaloid 3 years ago
anybody know where i could get a good tab for it?
hyperbolicparaloid 3 years ago
ultimate-guitar . com. somewhere under wgfa is the chords for it
Anticrombie918 3 years ago
it seems this is how it was meant to be played it is truely beautyful
Ghonkee 3 years ago 2
A truly wonderful version, this! But whatever happened to John Williams in the mix?
diddywahdaddy 3 years ago 4
wow, pete is such an amazing man.
candysweet434 3 years ago 5
Reading the comments here, this is the first I heard of him having a few before the performance. Having said that,his voice is incredible here. Hits the notes in classic Townshend style with feeling and passion.
johnisallin 3 years ago
its in his autobiography that he put down a good sized bottle of brandy before goin on..as he was nervous being solo.
akcreamer 3 years ago
hehe...pete forgot the words at the chorus
jb4427 3 years ago
Pete knows the words so well; that the words changed themselves around, just to see if he was paying attention!
ZachValkyrie 3 years ago
good theory, but it's well known he had a few before this song
jb4427 3 years ago
"OH, that's JUST 3 Chords"
Williams looks (and sounds) totally lost. Pete is even nodding to cue him in! FUCK YOU, SEGOVIA!!! - "Hail, Hail ROCK 'n' ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
7777srd 3 years ago 3
Ok that's unfair. JW is a great classical guitarist and this was/is of course PT's genre and song - of course he knows it better than JW - every performer has miscue's most every performance.
malabargold 3 years ago 3
Think I remember an old RS article at the time saying he was nervous backstage, to be performing without The Who (though JW is a pretty good backup),
and pulled an Entwhistle - bottle of Remy Martin to calm himself. Herdly know if botched lyrics can be blamed on that, even if it were true.
malabargold 3 years ago 3
The old saw goes that Rock is bad poetry set to music: and it's pretty true.
Townshend excepted:
Good poetry "amplified" by good musicianship and good showmanship. Would make Keats proud.
malabargold 3 years ago 3
Wow! This is the same man who bangs out power chords and smashes guitar! But here's it's s different; sincere, dare I say beautiful.
I would turn gay for Pete.
ZachValkyrie 3 years ago
Great dynamics.
STILLAVRIL1 3 years ago
Happy birthday Pete!
Grafietstift 3 years ago
wat a great version of the song but he mixed up the first chorus' words it doesnt matter though cause hes awsome
ldzp68 3 years ago