Pete Townshend may be 79, but the legendary guitarist and songwriter of The Who still knows how to throw some shade and share some love. In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Townshend discusses his upcoming 8-CD box set collection, Studio Albums, which takes a deep dive into his solo career outside of The Who, complete with juicy anecdotes and reflections on his career.
One of the highlights of the interview? Pete’s thoughts on The Who’s impact on the stadium rock scene. In his liner notes, Townshend confidently writes, “We invented Stadium Rock. We gave it away.” However, he’s not bitter about it. He admits the band’s timing wasn’t ideal, especially when they played Live Aid in 1985, just as Queen was at the top of their game.
“I handed the stadium stage to Queen and U2, and of course to Bruce Springsteen. That wasn’t a bad thing,” he explains. But his disappointment is clear, adding, “We should have been a part of that post-punk legacy resurgence.”
It’s no surprise that Townshend is a massive fan of U2 and Bruce Springsteen—he’s quick to acknowledge their success in taking over the stadium rock scene, but not so much when it comes to Queen. “I never really appreciated what Queen was about,” he admits, though he did have some love for ABBA’s lighthearted pop, just not the way Queen dominated the airwaves.
When asked about his own work, Townshend got candid about his proudest musical achievements. His answer? Two iconic tracks from Who’s Next that still give him chills: “‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ and ‘Baba O’Riley.’ I f—in’ nailed it,” he says. The songs, which have become anthems of a generation, are undeniably a testament to Townshend’s genius.
But, as always with rock legends, there’s a bittersweet twist. While he doesn’t regret anything, he’s aware that The Who missed out on a massive financial opportunity when big acts started playing massive stadiums regularly. “It really bit for us all,” he reflects, noting that The Who was always a band that preferred the intimacy of smaller venues before the world shifted toward arena rock.
Townshend also opens up about the struggles he faced during the height of his career, revealing how alcohol played a role in helping him cope with personal tragedies, like the death of bandmate Keith Moon and the Cincinnati disaster in 1979. His story about battling alcoholism shows a raw side of the rock star, one that many may not have seen.
Studio Albums, which offers fans a peek into Townshend’s career beyond The Who, releases on March 28 and is already available for pre-order. If you’re a fan of rock’s history or simply love a juicy celebrity memoir, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Related topics:
