@jbaby007 I disagree. This is when music was allowed simply to be joy and fairy tales. All the bands nowadays try to say their music has some deep meaning. And they're full of shit. Here's someone saying one of his greatest works doesn't mean anything at all. It's just a fairy tale.
@moosikerin well it meant something to me. In my opinion music back then really came from the heart and wasn't a gimmick. Of course you had exceptions, but everything to me seemed much more pure than it does today.
Tommy is a satire on the quick fix society. You can't get in shape and up to speed if you don't put the time in. Tommy's stoical way isn't a quick fix. you have to care. You have to spend 6 days with the Buddha in order to serve him on the seventh. you have to put the time in to practice. or you grow up to be a donkey at things. "We don't want your discipline." Then, you may go home.
i wish i could see the whole rest of the interview to know what he said about the story of tommy do you have some more let me know and where did you get this from?? thanx.... sissham...
I was always a fan of Tommy, but was never floored by it as an opera until I heard them play it live at Leads in '70. Thank god (or Pete) that the whole set is included on the 2001 Live at Leads reissue. In my opinion, The Who playing Tommy in that era was the high-water mark of Rock & Roll as an artform. Too bad the movie sucked.
Pete is truly brilliant. Without a single lesson on any instrument- he mastered quite a few. He's an intellectual who embraced people as different as Moon, etc. and was smart enough to walk away from drugs twice (the 2nd time due to grief over Keith). A spiritual seeker, lower class kid, with several talents, each of which could send him to stardom; and if you can't understand his musings,you don't have the IQ to comprehend him! His best contribution is as a composer, IMHO. Love Reign O'er Me.
@garynchait They were recorded mostly in Opera Houses around the world during maybe 18 months of touring, from 1969-70+. Depends on the video: people who worked at many of the places at the cameras or as monitor sound mixers kept the tapes and now find this computer age has a use for them, though in many cases it is copyright violation for The Who. Their website on the English Wikipedia has a Who Tube, where you can see all the videos you want from all the years and more!
@5Beatle I think Pete kinda felt that the interviewer had encompassed everything Tommy was. I think Pete couldn't add more to it, so a simple 'yeah' would suffice. That's why I like this interview so much. The interviewer knew and sort of identified with what Tommy was all about.
You have to admire the creative musical genius in Pete Townshend.He wrote this song to purely entertain the ear with lyrics that do not have a message or deeper meaning but "just sounded right"
@lion6965 Wrong. Pete was a genuis & spiritual seeker. In 1967, he gave up all drugs and at the same time began following Meher Baba- thus, later the song, "Baba O'Riley"! Trust me please, I knew Keith Moon & spent some time with him a few yrs before he died & so learned a lot about each bandmate when Keith wasn't floating into his fantasy world.. which got worse increasingly up to the day he died. At first Pete wasn't sure what the plot would be but draws on his childhood for many of the songs
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
All those replies are ridiculous...
It is CLEAR how brilliant Pete thinks he is. He's pompous, loves to hear himself talk, and thinks nobody can touch him with his musical prowess!
Go listen to a live concert recording of The Who...Pete talks for about 2-5 minutes between pretty much every song.
Bad guitarist, a MARTYR to say the least, a little self indulgent...The Who is my favorite band...but that doesn't mean what Pete says/thinks holds validity...
im disagree with you, i dont think he loves to hear himself. if he talk to much, its because he can and want; and also because anybody in the band want to talk that much. maybe he isnt one of the best guitarist in the whole world, but his presence in the concerts change the way of all rock concerts. besides he's a great speaker and he got an excellent expression.
Er, just wondering whether or not you'd noticed but Pete is actually doing an interview here? It would be pretty fucking boring to hear him do it without speaking. And to be honest, I don't see anything wrong with communicating to an audience. At one of the places I've played, they encourage you to talk, so people have more of an idea what's being heard. And finally, Pete is not a bad guitarist, despite what even some of his fans think. Musical virtuosity and musical talent are quite different.
Wow. So, all these months I've been a who-fanatic, all the interviews say Tommy was "molested" Well now: FROM THE AUTHOR mind you, he was raped. That's certainly a mighty big step. Sheesh.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
This guy is a pompous fuck...
Loves to hear himself talk, thinks his creations are mind blowing & extremely articulate...this guy is perhaps the worst guitarist of all time, one of the biggest over-achievers in music history as well...
If you knew anything about music or figures in music, you would know that Pete Townshend is a very humble, insightful, and creative person. The driving force behind one of rock and roll music's greatest bands ever. Also a band that is grossly underappreciated in this day and age. You want to comment on pompous figures in music, go to a John Lennon or Liam Gallagher video. Bash on musicians worth bashing on! Have some TASTE!
Pete always had an answer for everything. Always had an opinion in which is expressed with such honesty and eloquence (even when he was high as a kite). It's really admirable. I can listen to this man give a weather report and still remain intrigued.
I Will never ever understand why most women preferred Roger in those days. He's got nothing on Pete's unique looks and intelligence.
@gdosic Ha! Immature girls and boys are shallow, attracted by looks. With maturity, one should be able to merge the attraction to both physical & intellectual attraction. We ARE part animalistic and also hopefully an elevated species. Now you are touching on why groupies go for musicians, wanting both. Attraction, and desire to see what makes them tick. What inspires them.. how did they come to write or perform a song/album? Also, I', finding now as many fans of the others now as Roger.
It's also absolutely fascinating to get the explanation of what "We're not gonna take it" means. It's a reaction to Tommy imposing rules and order and non-drinking and non-toking on his "followers." Enlightening. Never quite got that. Terrific interview.
Yeah amazing that with "We're not gonna take it".. I thought it was a rebel song against the rules of conservative society, it appears to be kind of "the mob rules" idea.. wow!
I love that he clarifies that Tommy has no special meaning, that it's just a story, fictional, a fairy tale. That's all it was, and it's f-ing brilliant, and we can all accept it as that.
i dont fuckin think that you are a who fan. he isnt a motherfucker, you're gelous of him. why do you insult so much? you even know him in person. the first thing that you've to do is shut the hell off!!! you're the mothefucker. if he botter you that much, why dont you stop see this video?
jim and i were just talking the other day about paisley horses and some other matters, such as literary combinations of writing. and we decided that from that day on, we would rather
Hes so articulate and clear in his vision of what hes created, the true statement-even commentary- on enlightenment and societal enterprise mind-state.
Amazing find. Thanks so much for posting. I've only seen bits of this interview before..( ...and I think I may actually understand "Tommy" now!!!) : D
I love how Pete blasts the guy on Sally Simpson. Pete has later on said that "Sally Simpson," was indeed written during the early part of the Tommy sessions when the story was about Tommy in the person (in Pete's words) of a "Rock-star-come-preacher."
It was also influenced by Pete's observations of Jim Morrison's interaction with his fans. The Who shared a bill with The Doors at the Flushing Tennis Grounds in 1968 and Pete was fascinated and slightly horrified by Jim Morrison and this later inspired him to write Sally Simpson.
Yeah I remember that story. Apparently The crews for the Doors and The Who had an altercation before the bands went on. The Doors, agitated, started playing and a girl rushed the stage and was shoved back by security ending up being gashed in the face by a chair. Morrison was pretty far gone by this time and Pete said he knew Jim was going to be the next to die
The concert was in the summer of 1968 if I'm not mistaken. Morrison was still in fairly decent shape at this point. I think the comment you are thinking of is when Roger Daltrey saw Morrison at the Isle of Wight 1970 concert. Morrison would be dead in less than a year.
Pete always sounds like a white boy version of gypsy Django and always on some handicap bluesy thing, like Django self.
pendragonU 1 month ago
When I was younger I thought this was all quite profound. Now, I'm thinking that Frank Zappa album title.
SmelOdies 1 month ago
When music meant something...
jbaby007 4 months ago
@jbaby007 I disagree. This is when music was allowed simply to be joy and fairy tales. All the bands nowadays try to say their music has some deep meaning. And they're full of shit. Here's someone saying one of his greatest works doesn't mean anything at all. It's just a fairy tale.
moosikerin 4 months ago in playlist Interviews/talking.
@moosikerin well it meant something to me. In my opinion music back then really came from the heart and wasn't a gimmick. Of course you had exceptions, but everything to me seemed much more pure than it does today.
jbaby007 4 months ago
pete is amazing .... is a savage on stage .... and very smart outside
juan13579run 4 months ago
Tommy is a satire on the quick fix society. You can't get in shape and up to speed if you don't put the time in. Tommy's stoical way isn't a quick fix. you have to care. You have to spend 6 days with the Buddha in order to serve him on the seventh. you have to put the time in to practice. or you grow up to be a donkey at things. "We don't want your discipline." Then, you may go home.
rgaleny 7 months ago
I sing the body electric, I sing myself and celebrate myself. A moment of ZEN.
rgaleny 7 months ago
Consciouness. the yahoo's and wynnhymmns in swift. without people to bother you you transcend. still the vices of each condition the virtues of all.
rgaleny 7 months ago
I couldn't control my laughter when the interviewer asked if Tommy was a pop singer. and then pete's face.... xD
jB4LIFE99 8 months ago
I love hearing him talk about music. It never gets old.
TheDudeMinds89 8 months ago
Pete is a very underrated guitarists.
MJJFan01 9 months ago
I know parts of this interview are on "The Kids Are Alright" movie.
crlaw75 1 year ago
i wish i could see the whole rest of the interview to know what he said about the story of tommy do you have some more let me know and where did you get this from?? thanx.... sissham...
chalitin11 1 year ago
I could listen to him for hours. So smart and good looking! ;D
Moonielover46 1 year ago 2
He is a genius! Pete is such a great influence on me.... on the music side of things haha ;)
micjack2 1 year ago
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He is a genius! Pete is such a great influence on me.... on the music side of things haha ;)
micjack2 1 year ago
What a genius! Pete is such a great influence on me.... on the music side of things haha ;)
micjack2 1 year ago
you can see how Ray Davies inspired Petes lyricism so much
skint0n0minted 1 year ago
Did I mention how incredibly celestial Pete looked back then? I'm probably the only girl who thinks this, but he's just so amazing.
DElasee 1 year ago 3
you're not the only girl. :D
ystrianka 1 year ago
@ystrianka
That's really good to know! I'm glad I'm not the only one now! XD
DElasee 1 year ago
I could listen to him for hours. He has such a great way for explaining or discussing things.
DElasee 1 year ago
I was always a fan of Tommy, but was never floored by it as an opera until I heard them play it live at Leads in '70. Thank god (or Pete) that the whole set is included on the 2001 Live at Leads reissue. In my opinion, The Who playing Tommy in that era was the high-water mark of Rock & Roll as an artform. Too bad the movie sucked.
carlodave9 2 years ago 2
he is an absolute genius! its amazing how he came up with the story and traits for the chracters and the meanings
billy959 2 years ago 5
Pete is truly brilliant. Without a single lesson on any instrument- he mastered quite a few. He's an intellectual who embraced people as different as Moon, etc. and was smart enough to walk away from drugs twice (the 2nd time due to grief over Keith). A spiritual seeker, lower class kid, with several talents, each of which could send him to stardom; and if you can't understand his musings,you don't have the IQ to comprehend him! His best contribution is as a composer, IMHO. Love Reign O'er Me.
4rainbowed 2 years ago 3
the few clips of the who playing tommy - where are they from?
garynchait 2 years ago
@garynchait They were recorded mostly in Opera Houses around the world during maybe 18 months of touring, from 1969-70+. Depends on the video: people who worked at many of the places at the cameras or as monitor sound mixers kept the tapes and now find this computer age has a use for them, though in many cases it is copyright violation for The Who. Their website on the English Wikipedia has a Who Tube, where you can see all the videos you want from all the years and more!
4rainbowed 2 years ago
@garynchait They are from the german show "Beat-Club" where The Who premiered Tommy and played several of the songs (only playback sadly).
7:00 Priceless! :) "Uhm yes!" I guess even Pete himself doesn't understand the interviewer... ^^
5Beatle 1 year ago
Yeah that part around 7:00 was used in The Kids Are Alright.
cungar1001 1 year ago
@5Beatle I think Pete kinda felt that the interviewer had encompassed everything Tommy was. I think Pete couldn't add more to it, so a simple 'yeah' would suffice. That's why I like this interview so much. The interviewer knew and sort of identified with what Tommy was all about.
Who2Are1You 1 year ago
You have to admire the creative musical genius in Pete Townshend.He wrote this song to purely entertain the ear with lyrics that do not have a message or deeper meaning but "just sounded right"
lion6965 2 years ago
@lion6965 Wrong. Pete was a genuis & spiritual seeker. In 1967, he gave up all drugs and at the same time began following Meher Baba- thus, later the song, "Baba O'Riley"! Trust me please, I knew Keith Moon & spent some time with him a few yrs before he died & so learned a lot about each bandmate when Keith wasn't floating into his fantasy world.. which got worse increasingly up to the day he died. At first Pete wasn't sure what the plot would be but draws on his childhood for many of the songs
4rainbowed 2 years ago 3
Asmorgan is a eaningless motherfucker who just throw the words off... Jesus Fuckin Christ, go to hell you wanker.
LONG LIVE ROCK.
SebastianDeSoir 2 years ago
hear hear well spoke
busteroo7 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
All those replies are ridiculous...
It is CLEAR how brilliant Pete thinks he is. He's pompous, loves to hear himself talk, and thinks nobody can touch him with his musical prowess!
Go listen to a live concert recording of The Who...Pete talks for about 2-5 minutes between pretty much every song.
Bad guitarist, a MARTYR to say the least, a little self indulgent...The Who is my favorite band...but that doesn't mean what Pete says/thinks holds validity...
asmorgan88 2 years ago
im disagree with you, i dont think he loves to hear himself. if he talk to much, its because he can and want; and also because anybody in the band want to talk that much. maybe he isnt one of the best guitarist in the whole world, but his presence in the concerts change the way of all rock concerts. besides he's a great speaker and he got an excellent expression.
ystrianka 2 years ago
Er, just wondering whether or not you'd noticed but Pete is actually doing an interview here? It would be pretty fucking boring to hear him do it without speaking. And to be honest, I don't see anything wrong with communicating to an audience. At one of the places I've played, they encourage you to talk, so people have more of an idea what's being heard. And finally, Pete is not a bad guitarist, despite what even some of his fans think. Musical virtuosity and musical talent are quite different.
Nekhben1 2 years ago 3
Wow. So, all these months I've been a who-fanatic, all the interviews say Tommy was "molested" Well now: FROM THE AUTHOR mind you, he was raped. That's certainly a mighty big step. Sheesh.
perfectagrl723 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This guy is a pompous fuck...
Loves to hear himself talk, thinks his creations are mind blowing & extremely articulate...this guy is perhaps the worst guitarist of all time, one of the biggest over-achievers in music history as well...
asmorgan88 2 years ago
If you knew anything about music or figures in music, you would know that Pete Townshend is a very humble, insightful, and creative person. The driving force behind one of rock and roll music's greatest bands ever. Also a band that is grossly underappreciated in this day and age. You want to comment on pompous figures in music, go to a John Lennon or Liam Gallagher video. Bash on musicians worth bashing on! Have some TASTE!
jokertothethief67 2 years ago 2
Pete always had an answer for everything. Always had an opinion in which is expressed with such honesty and eloquence (even when he was high as a kite). It's really admirable. I can listen to this man give a weather report and still remain intrigued.
I Will never ever understand why most women preferred Roger in those days. He's got nothing on Pete's unique looks and intelligence.
gdosic 2 years ago
@gdosic Ha! Immature girls and boys are shallow, attracted by looks. With maturity, one should be able to merge the attraction to both physical & intellectual attraction. We ARE part animalistic and also hopefully an elevated species. Now you are touching on why groupies go for musicians, wanting both. Attraction, and desire to see what makes them tick. What inspires them.. how did they come to write or perform a song/album? Also, I', finding now as many fans of the others now as Roger.
4rainbowed 2 years ago
Tommy is one of the best things to happen to music. Pete's a genius.
idieinelevators 2 years ago 4
It's also absolutely fascinating to get the explanation of what "We're not gonna take it" means. It's a reaction to Tommy imposing rules and order and non-drinking and non-toking on his "followers." Enlightening. Never quite got that. Terrific interview.
AmazingWho 2 years ago 3
Yeah amazing that with "We're not gonna take it".. I thought it was a rebel song against the rules of conservative society, it appears to be kind of "the mob rules" idea.. wow!
motmr 2 years ago
one more comes to my mind.. looks like Pink Floyd's "The Wall" did have a predecessor :D
motmr 2 years ago
I love that he clarifies that Tommy has no special meaning, that it's just a story, fictional, a fairy tale. That's all it was, and it's f-ing brilliant, and we can all accept it as that.
AmazingWho 2 years ago 2
Blimey, he's going on a bit isn't he?
IngialV 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This motherfucker loves to hear himself talk, and he thinks he is a musical genius too...
asmorgan88 2 years ago
in the words of this "Motherfucker"... FUCK OFF!
LONG LIVE PETE!
screamineagles92 2 years ago 3
i dont fuckin think that you are a who fan. he isnt a motherfucker, you're gelous of him. why do you insult so much? you even know him in person. the first thing that you've to do is shut the hell off!!! you're the mothefucker. if he botter you that much, why dont you stop see this video?
ystrianka 2 years ago
jim and i were just talking the other day about paisley horses and some other matters, such as literary combinations of writing. and we decided that from that day on, we would rather
eldorado303 2 years ago
his nose doesnt look that big in this lol
mullinator7 2 years ago
No, he's just starting to grow into it here.
If you see Pete these days, he finally has grown into his nice.
^_^
Hum0ng0us 2 years ago
Hes so articulate and clear in his vision of what hes created, the true statement-even commentary- on enlightenment and societal enterprise mind-state.
Axelness 2 years ago 2
Amazing find. Thanks so much for posting. I've only seen bits of this interview before..( ...and I think I may actually understand "Tommy" now!!!) : D
musicmann1967 3 years ago
Well said, Pete, well said
born4soccer09145 3 years ago
wow. i wonder what exactly goes on in that mans head. i love pete townshend(=
longlivethesixties 3 years ago 14
he is a part of my acid trip.
i like him :)
eldorado303 2 years ago
well hes part of my...i dont know!!!
but im in love with him xD
longlivethesixties 2 years ago
@longlivethesixties Drop some acid....
elviscash56 5 months ago
Thanks for uploading this! I was for a long time looking for this whole interview!
Haha Pete's hair is like 'woosh' and I love it!
Haha and I love 4:48, 6:20 - 7:05 and 7:28!
This is an awesome interview, once again: Thanks!
Grafietstift 3 years ago
Pete is making sense, self-realization is certainly one of the most profound experiences one could have.
whotles 3 years ago 2
Amazing what went on in his head at the age of 24!
jesusphillips 3 years ago 20
I love how Pete blasts the guy on Sally Simpson. Pete has later on said that "Sally Simpson," was indeed written during the early part of the Tommy sessions when the story was about Tommy in the person (in Pete's words) of a "Rock-star-come-preacher."
isaiahangelo 3 years ago 2
It was also influenced by Pete's observations of Jim Morrison's interaction with his fans. The Who shared a bill with The Doors at the Flushing Tennis Grounds in 1968 and Pete was fascinated and slightly horrified by Jim Morrison and this later inspired him to write Sally Simpson.
drummer78 2 years ago 2
Yeah I remember that story. Apparently The crews for the Doors and The Who had an altercation before the bands went on. The Doors, agitated, started playing and a girl rushed the stage and was shoved back by security ending up being gashed in the face by a chair. Morrison was pretty far gone by this time and Pete said he knew Jim was going to be the next to die
isaiahangelo 2 years ago 2
The concert was in the summer of 1968 if I'm not mistaken. Morrison was still in fairly decent shape at this point. I think the comment you are thinking of is when Roger Daltrey saw Morrison at the Isle of Wight 1970 concert. Morrison would be dead in less than a year.
drummer78 2 years ago
First time i've seen this complete,thank you
tittetybumpety 3 years ago
thank you for putting this interview up. i love listening to him/watching him talk.
candysweet434 3 years ago 6
Thanks!
Swesuburan 3 years ago