Pete Townshend - Athena (Theresa) It's Hard

[stangable1984]

Jesus, this thread is full of just stupid a55holes. She's not pretty? Here's a history lesson:

Townshend became infatuated with her because the (great) English director N. Roeg was making a film called 'Bad Timing' and wanted a cool track for it. Townshend gave him 'Who Are You' (that became one of rocks great tracks) and Roeg used it in its entirety essentially in the film (basically a rock video breaks out mid movie for the song). Roeg (an English gentleman) and Townshend (another English

[stangable1984]

@stangable1984 gentleman) became quick friends so when Townshend say Pink Floyd do THE WALL in LA he needed 'a date'. Roeg offer the star of the film (and his girlfriend) at the time, theresa russell. townshend later said how hard it was to enjoy the show because such a beautiful creature was sitting next to him. So you make think she's ugly here, but see BAD TIMING to see the women Townshend saw (she's unreal).

Also, understand that Pete has this glorious, huge nose which makes him

[stangable1984]

@stangable1984 understand physical, pure beauty more then most people.

Seriously watch BAD TIMING you understand. She's sublime, and, oh yeah, Roeg was one of the great Directors to ever live.

[Thejbirdy]

Friend of my sis in L.A....Theresa

[oliaiguambfigues76]

I guess we know now why "it" (was) hard. But you could have find a better pic of Theresa Russell.

[jrushmen]

Anyone "Who" dislikes Pete must be Deaf , Dumb, and Blind !

[davo2003hd]

pete is the best..! 

[RefinnejLincoln]

He loved his wife the most- she was his true love- very prolific song as always by genius Pete-

[ferk71]

A SuperWhoFan - try the albums called Scoop, and Another Scoop

[SuperWhofan1]

Pure Genius! I would love an entire album of Pete's demos.

[Octopossible]

@SuperWhofan1 how about 3 albums? 3 double albums? look for Scoop, Another Scoop and Scoop 3. Awesome! All of them!

[ScottFree37]

I love his guitar work on this version

[jstraszewski]

hard to believe that this is is demo for this song

[dkdeu]

pete is too good looking to her

[susan4466]

Why dosnt he just love his beautiful wife and their children?

[joelubbock]

Pete, the first rapper, GREAT! I just cant play it around my kids. you potty mouth.

[joelubbock]

SWEET, PETE RAPS GREAT! I just can't play around my kids, you potty mouth,:)

[joelubbock]

SWEET!

[gatorcarter]

Only one picture of her, and fully clothed too? How lame.

[xxxMrSuspendedxxx]

She's just a girl... she's a whore....

[jsilence418]

He could have fallen for a better looking broad, but love is blind.

[gatorcarter]

@jsilence418 Better looking? you can't be serious! Kim Basinger perhaps? I can't think of anyone better looking. Better get your eyes checked.

[jsilence418]

@gatorcarter I,ve heard of your type , your standards are low and you can't really discriminate between average and above average!

[gatorcarter]

@jsilence418 Like I said, better get your eyes checked. Most guys agree- she's a knockout! Not you're average girl next door. Who, in your opinion, is the perfect looking woman? What do you think of Kim Basinger?

[jmbp1]

Gosh this is fantastic - makes that album track sound sterile. This is like a cake full of one's favourite ingredients all sprinkled in together not too precisely but not too mentally either. Some good Paul Simon steals here. What was that other demo I just heard Brrr - lovely trucking along vibe.

[vegaman2009]

who was theresa

[indiana1fats]

@vegaman2009 - it appears to be actress Theresa Russell

[vegaman2009]

@indiana1fats thank you

[kenytco68]

@vegaman2009 Actress Theresa Russell

[freddiemas]

dig the flamenco clapping.

[traumanurse35]

PASSION!!!!!! GREAT TUNE ESPECIALLY FOR THE "ROUGH DRAFT"



[whyyeseyec]

Pete always does a demo`s of his songs in his home studio. This sounds like one he would have done. He put out an album of his demo`s years ago.....

[hazor777]

I know this: both Daltrey & Townshend are forever ICONS of ROCK, and yea,it's like a "push/pull" in terms of who (WHO,LOL!) is your favorite at any given time, but I love em both!! I saw Daltrey a month ago live with Pete's brother,Simon, and Simon sounds practically almost exactly like Pete singing,it's uncanny!! And he's a great performer!

[Womanflo]

It is true that Pete is a genius, but do not forget that today would not exist without Roger The Who. ROGER them together and formed the band

[Shitfuckerino]

I like this version, the demo, more than the final result I have to say. :)

[Pulsar205]

@Shitfuckerino oh, no contest! don't know why they didn't use this version on the album.

[Petr047]

Is this really performed by Pete? I have only heard as Athena not Theresa.

[xMadmax5x]

Nice guitar work Pete!!! Although l never heard this version, love it!!!

[MrJimmy7658]

its only rock and roll but i like

[cosmicrider287]

townshend couldn t write a daft song if he tried.

[busteroo7]

DAVE MURRAY

[oiyabastard]

looks like  iron maidens dave murry

[busteroo7]

@oiyabastard brilliant minds think alike

[LivengoodTodd]

The fact is that Pete could use any name to this song and it would still sound great.

[hawkhandsaw]

Wow! Yeah, sometimes in life we encounter those that can fuck us up that much that we have to write a song about them. All your passion, lust, admiration, anger, desperation and longing burst out, just like Pete in this song. Amazing!

[Mojomatrix]

EXACTLY !

[mouser98k]

i never heard this before, awesome :)

[sonicdeath10]

I prefer this version strongly. I dislike the backing vocals on the Who's version. Plus I think Pete sings it better than Roger. I love Roger, but his singing on those two Who albums are weak. It's incredible that is singing is so much better on Endless Wire. It's not as powerful, but MUCH more expressive, and he handles softer music much better.

[Annatizadell]

I fully agree that even though Roger has a great semi-raspy voice some songs are better sung by Pete's more melodious voice. Just recently I listened to Pete's album (yes, it was a record) "who came first" and the first song that Pete was singing was in such a high tonal register I did recognize it to be his. I wish more of The Who song were sung by him...Alas if wishes were fishes no one would starve. ?; ]

[dannooozy]

to my ears no one can top townshend.even goofing around he does great work.love this

[moontheloon1969]

you just dont expect pt to be fooled like us mere mortals

[clashwho]

I like the Who's much more polished version, but this one is way more passionate and real. "I'm fucking ecstatic!" Excellent.

[chetansingh2006]

lol this is so funny never seen townsend so desperate and horny lol cool ,man

[BuddyT]

DAMN! She must have been a beauty back in the day.

[hellsbellspapa]

Good call, Buddy T! AND, she's STILL a beauty in this photo!

[Mugsycache14567]

Are you listening, Cluckstein? LOL.

[ticket88]

I like the freshness of this version, being uncommercialized and raw. Townshend is such a genius!

[Rawego]

love this version!!!

[Rawego]

go get a dog you fool and stop whining about this chick who dumped your sorry ass :))

[Mugsycache14567]

He has a dog..check out Sleeping Dogs audio here on youtube..it's great!

[CandSproductionz]

im 13 and im a mssive fan of the who apart from being a video game nerd i also profesionally play guitar because of the who

[Pulsar205]

Can't understand why this one wasn't on the studio album.

Roger used to complain the last two album's lyrics were too abstruse and personal for him. This comes across and why I for one didn't like many of the songs on these.

Just a girl.

[kerrydhunter]

the passion and urgency is so much more

forceful than on the original. musicianship-

off the wall

[adriannacruz]

whoa...I wish I could have pissed off someone enough to write such heartfelt lyrics. I mean..."a sewer pipe in a ribcage?" "a pickled priest who was being flambed?"

Who can think of such things, unless they are really in love????

[clashlc]

Thats not the American actress Theresa Russel is it? Pete sounds fucked up on this one...kinda pissed off too!

[millschapman]

Her IMDB profile says yes. The song was originally called Theresa for her.

[clashlc]

Her IMDB profile says yes to what? Im not sure to which of my comments you were refering

[Madeinthesixties]

I don't know much about this story between Pete and Theresa....who's the leader she's supposed to be in love with that he calls a c**t? Can anyone enlighten me on the story? I take it she turned him down (must be mad!!).

[EnglishGirl91]

I think he calls him 'count' and Im pretty sure its Nicolas Roeg

[230Vince23]

Nice rhythm. Pitty about the swearing even though she did deserve it.

[515whofan905]

Who in their right mind would turn down Pete??????? At any rate, it makes for a great fuckin' song.

I'm fuckin' ecstatic!!!!!

[Skammee]

Great song . Great Actress.

[Jellogel]

Even on that level Guys can still get Rejected and not get to be with the girl they want, and when She doesn't like you it makes you like Her even more and it makes you fuckin nuts...even though...She's just a girl

[clashlc]

I wouldnt say he was rejected. appearantly they got it on more than a few times and she didnt want to take it any furhter. So, he wasnt initially rejected and he got what he in itially wanted. Its just that he wanted more and didnt get it. Does that make sense? To be quite honest I thought she was pretty fuckin hot back in the day. Of course that was before I discovered ebony girls! OH YEAH!

[astroman287]

can i find it on one of the different scoop records?

[dackmont]

astroman - 'tis on Scoop 3

[megstubetops]

What a find! great song.who is the count he speaks of,that he hates-not really?

[PAXXALL07]

theresa.

[fivepointsgolf]

Theresa Russel. Check out Pete's intro of Pink Floyd to the RnR HOF for his story about making less of an impression on her than he'd hoped.

[clashlc]

what do you mean "...to the RnR HOF" I would really like to learn more about this story. Thanks!

[clashlc]

Oh I get it Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...Im such a dumbass sometimes. i do know this though....pete did not write this song as emotionally charged as it is because Theresa wouldnt go out with him...pullleeeeeze! They had an affair and he wanted more and she wasnt hain it. I mean really do you think some unrequited school boy crush inspires music like this? Cmon people we're all adults...they were doing the nasty more than a few times!

[wlvp3030]

Jesus this is really great. Pete is such a phenomenal talent that his songs have after lives - and thank god for that. I am whole heartedly thankful he has embraced the internet, and that his fans have shared what they cherished of his on it so that I (and all of the rest of us) can continue to be entertained and moved by his music. Pete rocks in every way.

[nateisonline]

Pete T is one of the best song writers of all times. I love all his stuff, the old, the 80s and all of it. I love the last 2 who albums, especially Face Dances which I think is very under rated!

THANKS!

[MrTrajan69]

Pete Townshend is the greatest "ALL AROUND", singer/songwriter/producer/mus­ician/showman/ only Paul McCartney comes close

[dominiccarter77]

@nateisonline Me too. I love The Who. i think a part of them died on 7th Sept '78(obviously) but I do love Face Dances. I'm a big fan of Kenney Jones too.

[geddyleelovesme]

Is it me, or does she look damn near exactly like Rachel Fuller???? LOL!

[taylor222]

Actually, it's kind of scary how much all of the women in his life look alike. I actually think Rachel looks a hell of alot like his first wife, Karen. And the same with Theresa.

Pattern? Haha.

[184green]

Love does strange things, but it more often than not just fades away.....(but not always..lol)

[guitarbrat28]

yup its terry r - pete had a big thing for her but it didn't happen...

[gasaholic47]

Wow, I've never heard this demo. Quite frankly, it puts the recorded version on It's Hard to shame.

[getabikeandrideit]

One of the great things about Townshend is he gave songs to the Who which Daltrey sang, and then he takes his own songs years later and gives them his own reading. Sometimes even better than when the Who did them. Here would be an example.

[230Vince23]

I'd agree with that in every way. New technology, years of practicing, getting better and having the hindsight of how this song and others sound in their original form. We must remember Pete's state of mind at the time and how much he's improved.

[clashlc]

I hear what your saying but I do disagree.I think the lyrics off the album are better and more polished.This was a rough draft of Athena and the "rough drafts" are usually not better than the finished product.However I do enjoy petes emotionally charged singing better than Rogers controlled middle of the road version.Dont get me wrong Rodger is the man when it comes to lead singers but I do think Pete has something over him sometimes when it comes to singing the music he wrote...sometimes.

[fasima]

I find this much better than album and I also find Pete better not sometimes but practically all the time.... to me personally..

[footrina]

@fasima I have to agree with you completely. This is the first time I've heard this demo (?) and it's phenomenal. The whole time I was listening, I felt like he just sat down and whipped this out after being "flambed" by her! He's so awesome and this is amazing. I don't think I can listen to the album version any more.

[Moonfan78]

@fasima I think the real meaning of the song gets lost in the studio face dances version. This one sound much more angry and desperate, and you can really understand what he's feeling, especially the line, "She's just a fucking girl!" "She's a bomb" kinda ruined the song for me, but I love this version.

[Moonfan78]

@Moonfan78 Sorry meant It's Hard album Wtf lol

[robbieshell]

once again,..........months later I am compelled to post,.......At how ridiculously incredibley perfect this this demo/rarity/studio rehehearsal! LONG LIVE PETE, and his guitar and song writing talent,.......WOW,......it is Siiiiick! (set to REPEAT, here, and in favorites! Cheers!

[ackerlaw2004]

I share your exuberance. This demo is fantastic and, truly, Pete Townshend's entire catalog is phenomenal - so many moving, poignant songs. And the combination of voices he gets in the studio is truly genius.

Townshend's music will always be cherished long after he is gone (not for years yet, of course)...and his fire still burns. This post is to publically wish the man happiness for all the happiness he has given all the audiences over time.

[robbieshell]

well: 'Well said', will now plays another three or four times! always his acoustic is fine, but the 'bubbly' electric playing over the acoustic here, is especially FAB. Cheers, Pete and all !

[megstubetops]

it is the bomb

[ackerlaw2004]

She's just a girl....

[TomFromJersey]

I'm confused - is that theresa russell?

[liz731]

Thanks so much for posting this!! I love it so much more than the released version.When Townshend screams out "I'm fucking ecstatic" like an absolute mad man..well that's just classic right there!!

[embeleshow]

There's a video where Pete is inducting Pink Floyd and he mentions that he was supposed to go see The Wall with her husband, but he bailed so Pete ended up going with Theresa instead. The story ended with Pete saying "They had lovely children so I wasn't as big as a distraction as I'd hoped"

[lookingfortalent2007]

ok, now IT'S HARD!

[packfaz79]

Just a Fucking Girl!!

I'm a suicidal psycholpath!!

Got me requisitioned Blondie!!

Man...I've been there.

THANKS A MILLION FOR POSTING THIS. I HAD NO IDEA WHO ATEHNA WAS.

For me...Athena was Lisa Jones. What a piece of candy she was...and she drove me just a crazy as ol' Pete.

[rigani23]

mm this song makes me want to sing it to hannah quast, my athena

[robbieshell]

didnt know the "demo" rough version of this existed....LOVE LOVE LOVE IT !!!! thank you Pete T. and whoever posted this ! Long live 'Demos', 'rarities', and 'unreleased shit' of our great music heroes ! Stones, Dead, Dylan, Who, and shame on you Van Morisson (whom I worship) for taking down all the material...LONG LIVE P.T. !!!!

[robbieshell]

yes, I know it's Morrison ! ;)

[digger331]

This version of Athena (Theresa) is on Pete's "Scoop 3" CD

[robbieshell]

Digger! isn't this great....I revisit this Athena (Theresa) video from months ago (see my many posts illustrating my love for this) and I see you post (7 months ago) and I went and bought it just now off I-tunes......thanks man ! The funny thing is i searched athena /Theresa but vouldnt find it till I went to "Scoop 3" album ! A great ninety-nine cents just spent ! Cheers.

[digger331]

glad I could help! it's getting harder and harder to find Pete's stuff - too bad, kids today are really missing out. All they know of Pete and The Who are from the CSI opening credits.

[kaneomasker]

So that what Pete wrote about all these years i was mystified

[Jiggs46]

Wow....very cool. I never heard this before.

Thanks

[bethedolphin]

WOW ----  Thanks bunches for posting. I've been in love with the man for 30 years. This just makes it better still.

[davo2003hd]

Wonderful!!! I never knew , now I do. Cool

[cargocanine]

I like it better than the version on the album!

[SirRoastalot]

This IS the original version. pete wrote is about Theresa Russell (who rejected his advances). It was changed (to protect all concerned) to "Athena" when it was recorded. It was always more of a Pete Townshend solo song, than a Who song (in my opinion) - but hey - that's just me!

[robles2714]

omg, i love this song!!

haha pete's frikkin hilarious:D

[geridg]

fasima? Where did you find this recording? Sounds like a demo...awsome! Love it.

[bill55ted]

This is an inquisition blondie... Fuck it! Fuck it is how the Pink Floyd song "Not Now John" starts out. Pink Floyd's "The Final Cut" was recorded in part at Pete's Eel Pie studio. There is more going on here than Pete is letting you know!

[progjunky]

wow, i didn't know they worked at eel pie.

[luvTheWho]

what do you mean?

[bill55ted]

Watch the video's I made about the musical mystery I started in 1981. "The WHO - Athena musical mystery - part 1 Theresa vs. poster." Then answer the lyrics questionnaire I made for you to find out the truth.

The first video I had to cut in half so it would fit on Youtube. I made that one on Dec. 8, 2006 and was going to hand it to Pete at an autograph session in Minneapolis that same day. Then go to the concert that night. I was detained and was unable to do anything that night.

[gspotstudio]

yeah, she used 2 b reeeaallly hot. u cant blame Pete 4 trying. when u get a passionate person like Townshend round booze, things r gonna happen: "she picked me up by the lapels and screamed 'Peter!'".Fantastic!!

[atombomb31458]

wow -i like this version better than the released product---more RAW/REAL

[eagleworks13]

such so ducking good thank bro ......

[HenryPonds]

The VOICE OF GOD!!!

[thunderfingers57]

If this is the demo to athena its pure pete. can't belive how moves. never get tired of listing to it.

[fasima]

Yes, this is 'Athena' demo.

[SamfrickinRaimi]

What a great version. I was reading Horse's Neck and found some of the lyrics to this song there.

[Nur100etc]

yeah, wasn't it cool to find lyrics in Horse's Neck?

;-) Love that book....

[BabaORiley1972]

"A snake the size of a sewer pipe living in his rib cage." How's that for an image?

[ePhilosopher]

christ, you know it ain't easy

[Nur100etc]

I've always LOVED that *crazy* rhythmic segment. Was he "high" or what? ;-)

Oh, and hi T E D and A.!

(Lucy)

[Nur100etc]

Pete's got a thing about ants, I've noticed.

[HickoryRose]

What's the deal? Did Pete have an affair with Theresa Russell??

[Tranchera]

From the Wikipedia page on "The Lifehouse Chronicles":

"... oddly reminiscent of the film "Soylent Green". Negotiations to produce this film, however, fell apart when Townshend found himself having an affair with the wife of the film's director (a story recounted in the song "Athena", to be found on the Who album It's Hard)."

[thatmuse76]

I think I have heard accounts of that because apparently Pete was making another attempt at doing a Lifehouse related movie in 1980 or 1981 with John Entwhistle after he put it to the side in 1972.

[curitube]

Not quite. On Pete`s own words he was once drunk after a party and thought he was in love with her, so he wrote the song.

[BrickLaneBetty]

Check out the cover of "let my love open the door" on my channel!

[dansquarepants]

ha. definitely better than the single version!

[TedMaloney]

Who's picture is that?

TED

[fasima]

Actress Theresa Russell

[jools92126]

who the heck is she?

[blanford58]

i think it's actress theresa russell

[jools92126]

Thank you. I have never heard of her. I don't think she did anything over in the States.

[blanford58]

Oh - she is from the US and though I'm not I've always thought that she is a well known actress. I've seen very remarkable movies with her in a starring role. Just take a look at Wikipedia

[jools92126]

Thanks.  I'll check that out. :)

[millschapman]

She was the hottie mama in "Wild Things" with Kevin Bacon and Matt Dillon, among other things.

[BrickLaneBetty]

HI

T

E

D

[sebacarde]

Such a great song... makes me remember the waves on the ocean matching the great blue skyes...

[EntysWeb]

Mmm...sounds good!