Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend
Born 19/05/1945 in Chiswick, London, England, UK

Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend (born 19 May 1945) is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career. His career with The Who spans more than forty years, during which time the band grew to be considered one of the most influential bands of the 60s and 70s, and, according to Eddie Vedder, "possibly the greatest live band ever."

Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend (born 19 May 1945) is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career. His career with The Who spans more than forty years, during which time the band grew to be considered one of the most influential bands of the 60s and 70s, and, according to Eddie Vedder, "possibly the greatest live band ever."

Townshend is the primary songwriter for The Who, having written well over one hundred songs for the band's eleven studio albums, including concept albums and the rock operas Tommy and Quadrophenia, plus popular rock and roll radio staples like Who's Next, and dozens more that appeared as non-album singles, bonus tracks on reissues, and tracks on rarities compilations like Odds & Sods. He has also written over one hundred songs that have appeared on his solo albums, as well as radio jingles and television theme songs. Although known primarily as a guitarist, he also plays other instruments such as keyboards, banjo, accordion, synthesiser, bass guitar and drums, on his own solo albums, several Who albums, and as a guest contributor to a wide array of other artists' recordings. Townshend has never had formal lessons in any of the instruments he plays.

Townshend has also been a contributor and author of newspaper and magazine articles, book reviews, essays, books, and scripts, as well as collaborating as a lyricist (and composer) for many other musical acts. Townshend was ranked #3 in Dave Marsh's list of Best Guitarists in The New Book of Rock Lists, #10 in Gibson.com's list of the top fifty guitarists, and #50 in Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 list: 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Townshend was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Who in 1990.

Description above from the Wikipedia article Pete Townshend, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia​

External links

Filmography (Movies)

The Session Man

The Session Man

Character:Self

Release Date:29/05/2025

Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd

Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd

Character:Self

Release Date:15/05/2023

The Who – With Orchestra Live At Wembley

The Who – With Orchestra Live At Wembley

Character:

Release Date:31/03/2023

The Who Hits 50! Live

The Who Hits 50! Live

Character:

Release Date:26/11/2022

The Who: One Band's Explosive Story

The Who: One Band's Explosive Story

Character:Self - The Who Member

Release Date:26/08/2022

Classic Albums: The Who Sell Out

Classic Albums: The Who Sell Out

Character:Himself

Release Date:15/06/2021

Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!

Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!

Character:Self (archive footage)

Release Date:05/06/2021

Mick Fleetwood and Friends: Celebrate the Music of Peter Green and the Early Years of Fleetwood Mac

Mick Fleetwood and Friends: Celebrate the Music of Peter Green and the Early Years of Fleetwood Mac

Character:Self

Release Date:30/04/2021

The Who: The Night That Changed Rock

The Who: The Night That Changed Rock

Character:Self

Release Date:15/12/2019

The Night That Changed Rock

The Night That Changed Rock

Character:

Release Date:03/12/2019

Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation

Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation

Character:Self

Release Date:24/05/2019

Bad Reputation

Bad Reputation

Character:Self

Release Date:28/09/2018

Come Together The Rise of the Festival

Come Together The Rise of the Festival

Character:

Release Date:09/08/2018

The Who: Tommy Live at The Royal Albert Hall

The Who: Tommy Live at The Royal Albert Hall

Character:Himself – guitars, vocals

Release Date:13/10/2017

The Who: Rock in Rio 2017

The Who: Rock in Rio 2017

Character:guitar

Release Date:23/09/2017

The Who: Live at the Isle of Wight 2004 Festival

The Who: Live at the Isle of Wight 2004 Festival

Character:Self

Release Date:02/06/2017

Pete Townshend's Deep End - Face The Face

Pete Townshend's Deep End - Face The Face

Character:Self

Release Date:16/09/2016

Night Flight: Born Again

Night Flight: Born Again

Character:Self

Release Date:10/04/2016

The Who: Live in Hyde Park

The Who: Live in Hyde Park

Character:Himself - guitarist, vocals

Release Date:07/10/2015

Jean-Michel Jarre: A Journey into Sound

Jean-Michel Jarre: A Journey into Sound

Character:Self

Release Date:19/09/2015

It's Only Rock 'n' Roll: Rock 'n' Roll at the BBC

It's Only Rock 'n' Roll: Rock 'n' Roll at the BBC

Character:Self (archive footage)

Release Date:24/07/2015

Classic Quadrophenia

Classic Quadrophenia

Character:Self

Release Date:06/07/2015

The Who: French TV Archives 1965-1967

The Who: French TV Archives 1965-1967

Character:

Release Date:01/01/2015

Lennon or McCartney

Lennon or McCartney

Character:Self

Release Date:12/12/2014

Play It Loud: The Story of Marshall

Play It Loud: The Story of Marshall

Character:Self

Release Date:28/11/2014

Led Zeppelin Played Here

Led Zeppelin Played Here

Character:Self (archive footage)

Release Date:11/10/2014

Woodstock: Untold Stories Revisited

Woodstock: Untold Stories Revisited

Character:Self

Release Date:29/07/2014

The Who: Quadrophenia - Live in London

The Who: Quadrophenia - Live in London

Character:

Release Date:06/06/2014

The Who: Sensation—The Story of Tommy

The Who: Sensation—The Story of Tommy

Character:Himself

Release Date:08/03/2014

Lambert & Stamp

Lambert & Stamp

Character:Himself

Release Date:20/01/2014

The Who - The Making of Tommy

The Who - The Making of Tommy

Character:Himself

Release Date:25/10/2013

Quadrophenia: Can You See the Real Me?

Quadrophenia: Can You See the Real Me?

Character:Himself

Release Date:29/06/2013

12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Relief

12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Relief

Character:Self

Release Date:12/12/2012

The Who: Live in Texas '75

The Who: Live in Texas '75

Character:Himself

Release Date:29/07/2012

Acoustic at the BBC

Acoustic at the BBC

Character:Self

Release Date:02/09/2011

The Who:  Purple Hearts and Power Chords

The Who: Purple Hearts and Power Chords

Character:

Release Date:11/04/2011

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - The Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - The Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Character:Self

Release Date:03/11/2009

Woodstock: Untold Stories

Woodstock: Untold Stories

Character:

Release Date:09/06/2009

Rachel Fuller presents: In the Attic with Pete Townshend & Friends

Rachel Fuller presents: In the Attic with Pete Townshend & Friends

Character:Self

Release Date:31/03/2009

The Who:  Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970

The Who: Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970

Character:Himselft

Release Date:05/02/2009

The Who - At Kilburn 1977

The Who - At Kilburn 1977

Character:guitar

Release Date:17/11/2008

The Who - Live at the London Coliseum 1969

The Who - Live at the London Coliseum 1969

Character:Himself - guitars, vocals

Release Date:17/11/2008

Smashing Pumpkins: If All Goes Wrong

Smashing Pumpkins: If All Goes Wrong

Character:Himself

Release Date:11/11/2008

VH1 Rock Honors: The Who

VH1 Rock Honors: The Who

Character:Self

Release Date:17/07/2008

Beat Club: The 40th Anniversary Edition

Beat Club: The 40th Anniversary Edition

Character:Self (archive footage)

Release Date:01/01/2008

Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who

Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who

Character:Self

Release Date:14/09/2007

The Who: Stockholm 7/6/2007

The Who: Stockholm 7/6/2007

Character:

Release Date:06/07/2007

The Who: Dublin 6/29/2007

The Who: Dublin 6/29/2007

Character:

Release Date:29/06/2007

The Who: Cheshire 6/23/2007

The Who: Cheshire 6/23/2007

Character:

Release Date:23/06/2007

The Who: Lisbon 5/16/2007

The Who: Lisbon 5/16/2007

Character:

Release Date:16/05/2007

The Who: Atlantic City 3/9/2007

The Who: Atlantic City 3/9/2007

Character:

Release Date:09/03/2007

The Who: Fresno 2/25/2007

The Who: Fresno 2/25/2007

Character:

Release Date:25/02/2007

Dear Mr. Fantasy - A Celebration for Jim Capaldi

Dear Mr. Fantasy - A Celebration for Jim Capaldi

Character:Himself

Release Date:13/01/2007

The Who: Fragments Fan Club DVD

The Who: Fragments Fan Club DVD

Character:Himself

Release Date:01/01/2007

The Who: Grand Rapids 12/5/2006

The Who: Grand Rapids 12/5/2006

Character:

Release Date:05/12/2006

The Who: Quadrophenia Live With Special Guests

The Who: Quadrophenia Live With Special Guests

Character:Pete Townshend

Release Date:01/12/2006

The Who: Live at Lyon

The Who: Live at Lyon

Character:Himself (Guitars, Vocals)

Release Date:21/11/2006

The Who: Palm Springs 11/11/2006

The Who: Palm Springs 11/11/2006

Character:

Release Date:11/11/2006

The Who: BBC Electric Proms

The Who: BBC Electric Proms

Character:Himself

Release Date:28/10/2006

The Who: Baltimore 9/23/2006

The Who: Baltimore 9/23/2006

Character:

Release Date:23/09/2006

The Who: Holmdel 9/21/2006

The Who: Holmdel 9/21/2006

Character:

Release Date:21/09/2006

The Who: Boston 9/16/2006

The Who: Boston 9/16/2006

Character:

Release Date:16/09/2006

The Who: Wantagh 9/13/2006

The Who: Wantagh 9/13/2006

Character:

Release Date:13/09/2006

The Who: Philadelphia 9/12/2006

The Who: Philadelphia 9/12/2006

Character:

Release Date:12/09/2006

An Ox's Tale: The John Entwistle Story

An Ox's Tale: The John Entwistle Story

Character:Himself

Release Date:22/08/2006

The Who: Zaragoza 7/29/2006

The Who: Zaragoza 7/29/2006

Character:

Release Date:29/07/2006

The Who: Madrid 7/27/2006

The Who: Madrid 7/27/2006

Character:

Release Date:27/07/2006

The Who: Ulm 7/23/2006

The Who: Ulm 7/23/2006

Character:

Release Date:23/07/2006

The Who: St. Polten 7/22/2006

The Who: St. Polten 7/22/2006

Character:

Release Date:22/07/2006

The Who: Nyon 7/20/2006

The Who: Nyon 7/20/2006

Character:

Release Date:20/07/2006

The Who: Metz 7/18/2006

The Who: Metz 7/18/2006

Character:

Release Date:18/07/2006

The Who: Lyon 7/17/2006

The Who: Lyon 7/17/2006

Character:

Release Date:17/07/2006

The Who: Monte Carlo 7/15/2006

The Who: Monte Carlo 7/15/2006

Character:

Release Date:15/07/2006

The Who: Locarno 7/14/2006

The Who: Locarno 7/14/2006

Character:

Release Date:14/07/2006

The Who: Bonn 7/11/2006

The Who: Bonn 7/11/2006

Character:

Release Date:11/07/2006

The Who: Glasgow 7/9/2006

The Who: Glasgow 7/9/2006

Character:

Release Date:09/07/2006

The Who: Dublin 7/8/2006

The Who: Dublin 7/8/2006

Character:

Release Date:08/07/2006

The Who: Liverpool 7/6/2006

The Who: Liverpool 7/6/2006

Character:

Release Date:06/07/2006

The Who: Liverpool 7/5/2006

The Who: Liverpool 7/5/2006

Character:

Release Date:05/07/2006

The Who: Hampshire 7/3/2006

The Who: Hampshire 7/3/2006

Character:

Release Date:03/07/2006

The Who: Werchter 6/30/2006

The Who: Werchter 6/30/2006

Character:

Release Date:30/06/2006

The Who: Brighton 6/18/2006

The Who: Brighton 6/18/2006

Character:

Release Date:18/06/2006

The Who: Tommy Live With Special Guests

The Who: Tommy Live With Special Guests

Character:Self

Release Date:05/06/2006

The Passing Show: The Life and Music of Ronnie Lane

The Passing Show: The Life and Music of Ronnie Lane

Character:Himself

Release Date:09/04/2006

The Who – Broadcast In Roundhouse Electric Proms 2006

The Who – Broadcast In Roundhouse Electric Proms 2006

Character:

Release Date:01/01/2006

The World's Greatest Gigs

The World's Greatest Gigs

Character:

Release Date:09/11/2005

The Who | Tommy and Quadrophenia Live

The Who | Tommy and Quadrophenia Live

Character:Self - Guitar, Vocals

Release Date:08/11/2005

The Britpop Story 'It Really, Really, Really, Could Happen'

The Britpop Story 'It Really, Really, Really, Could Happen'

Character:Self (archive footage)

Release Date:15/08/2005

Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today

Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today

Character:Self

Release Date:13/07/2005

Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

Character:Self

Release Date:09/12/2004

Live Aid

Live Aid

Character:

Release Date:16/11/2004

One For The Road: Ronnie Lane Memorial Concert

One For The Road: Ronnie Lane Memorial Concert

Character:Self

Release Date:24/09/2004

The Who: Live in Boston

The Who: Live in Boston

Character:Himself

Release Date:14/09/2004

Police Protecting Children - Internet Paedophilia

Police Protecting Children - Internet Paedophilia

Character:Self

Release Date:23/03/2004

Mayor of the Sunset Strip

Mayor of the Sunset Strip

Character:Self

Release Date:17/06/2003

Brian Wilson: On Tour

Brian Wilson: On Tour

Character:Self

Release Date:17/03/2003

Monterey Pop: The Outtake Performances

Monterey Pop: The Outtake Performances

Character:

Release Date:11/12/2002

Pete Townshend: Music from Lifehouse

Pete Townshend: Music from Lifehouse

Character:

Release Date:01/01/2002

Being Mick

Being Mick

Character:Self

Release Date:22/11/2001

The Who & Special Guests: Live At The Royal Albert Hall

The Who & Special Guests: Live At The Royal Albert Hall

Character:Self - Lead Guitar / Vocals

Release Date:27/11/2000

The Beatles Revolution

The Beatles Revolution

Character:Self

Release Date:17/11/2000

Pete Townshend - Letterman Compilation 1985-1999

Pete Townshend - Letterman Compilation 1985-1999

Character:self

Release Date:31/12/1999

Classic Albums: The Who - Who's Next

Classic Albums: The Who - Who's Next

Character:Self

Release Date:21/10/1999

The Who - Who's Next 1971-2023

The Who - Who's Next 1971-2023

Character:Self

Release Date:21/10/1999

Listening to You: The Who Live at the Isle of Wight

Listening to You: The Who Live at the Isle of Wight

Character:Himself

Release Date:03/11/1998

The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus

The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus

Character:Self - Guitar

Release Date:12/10/1996

Pete Townshend - Live at Fillmore West, April 30th, 1996

Pete Townshend - Live at Fillmore West, April 30th, 1996

Character:guitar, vocals

Release Date:30/04/1996

1996 VH1 Honors

1996 VH1 Honors

Character:

Release Date:31/03/1996

A Celebration: The Music of Pete Townshend and The Who

A Celebration: The Music of Pete Townshend and The Who

Character:Self

Release Date:16/12/1994

The Who: Maximum R&B Live

The Who: Maximum R&B Live

Character:Himself

Release Date:15/08/1994

The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb

The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb

Character:Voice

Release Date:10/12/1993

Pete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict

Pete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict

Character:Himself

Release Date:16/11/1993

The Who | Live, Featuring the Rock Opera Tommy

The Who | Live, Featuring the Rock Opera Tommy

Character:Self - Guitars & Vocals / Mr. Walker / Mrs. Walker / Narrator

Release Date:14/11/1989

Jimi Plays Monterey

Jimi Plays Monterey

Character:Self (archive footage)

Release Date:16/10/1987

Pete Townshend - South Bank Show Documentary

Pete Townshend - South Bank Show Documentary

Character:self

Release Date:01/10/1985

The Who at Live Aid

The Who at Live Aid

Character:

Release Date:13/07/1985

Live Aid

Live Aid

Character:Self

Release Date:13/07/1985

White City

White City

Character:Pete Fountain

Release Date:02/01/1985

The Who: Live from Toronto

The Who: Live from Toronto

Character:

Release Date:01/01/1984

The Who Rocks America 1982

The Who Rocks America 1982

Character:Himself

Release Date:01/01/1983

Video EP: Pete Townshend

Video EP: Pete Townshend

Character:

Release Date:14/06/1982

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes

Character:Self

Release Date:14/06/1982

The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

Character:Self

Release Date:01/03/1982

The Who: Live at Shea Stadium 1982

The Who: Live at Shea Stadium 1982

Character:Self

Release Date:01/01/1982

Concerts for the People of Kampuchea

Concerts for the People of Kampuchea

Character:Self

Release Date:29/03/1981

The Secret Policeman's Ball

The Secret Policeman's Ball

Character:Himself

Release Date:22/12/1979

The Who: The Kids Are Alright

The Who: The Kids Are Alright

Character:Self

Release Date:15/06/1979

Tommy

Tommy

Character:Himself

Release Date:19/03/1975

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix

Character:Self

Release Date:14/06/1973

Sound of the City: London 1964-73

Sound of the City: London 1964-73

Character:Self

Release Date:01/06/1973

The Who ‎– Live At Tanglewood 1970

The Who ‎– Live At Tanglewood 1970

Character:Himself

Release Date:07/06/1970

Woodstock

Woodstock

Character:Self - The Who

Release Date:26/03/1970

Heads

Heads

Character:Self

Release Date:19/12/1969

Monterey Pop

Monterey Pop

Character:Self - The Who

Release Date:26/12/1968

The Lost Paths

The Lost Paths

Character:Himself

Release Date:01/01/1967

Carousella

Carousella

Character:himself

Release Date:31/12/1966

Seize millions de jeunes: Mods

Seize millions de jeunes: Mods

Character:Interviewee

Release Date:18/03/1965

Television Appearances

Images

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