Pete Townshend

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

160

Gender

Male

Birthday

1945-05-19 (80 years old)

Place of Birth

Chiswick, London, England, UK

Pete Townshend

Biography

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​

Known For

  • The Simpsons

    The Simpsons

  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

    The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

    The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

    The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

  • Great Performances

    Great Performances

  • Top of the Pops

    Top of the Pops

  • Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

    Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

  • Omnibus

    Omnibus

  • Where Are They Now?

    Where Are They Now?

  • The Kennedy Center Honors

    The Kennedy Center Honors

  • Tommy

    Tommy

  • Woodstock

    Woodstock

  • Classic Albums

    Classic Albums

  • Heads

    Heads

  • White City

    White City

  • Behind the Music

    Behind the Music

  • Led Zeppelin Played Here

    Led Zeppelin Played Here

  • Lambert & Stamp

    Lambert & Stamp

  • Classic Quadrophenia

    Classic Quadrophenia

  • Rockpalast

    Rockpalast

  • Rockpalast

    Rockpalast

  • Jimi Plays Monterey

    Jimi Plays Monterey

  • Monterey Pop

    Monterey Pop

  • Na siehste!

    Na siehste!

  • Night Flight: Born Again

    Night Flight: Born Again

  • Being Mick

    Being Mick

  • Lennon or McCartney

    Lennon or McCartney

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

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

  • The Secret Policeman's Ball

    The Secret Policeman's Ball

  • Live Aid

    Live Aid

  • VH1 Rock Honors

    VH1 Rock Honors

  • Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation

    Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation

  • MTV Rockumentary

    MTV Rockumentary

  • 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

  • Live Aid at 40: When Rock ’n’ Roll Took on the World

    Live Aid at 40: When Rock ’n’ Roll Took on the World

  • The Beatles Revolution

    The Beatles Revolution

  • The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus

    The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus

  • Live Aid

    Live Aid

  • 12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Relief

    12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Relief

  • Quadrophenia: Can You See the Real Me?

    Quadrophenia: Can You See the Real Me?

  • The Secret Policeman's Ball

    The Secret Policeman's Ball

  • Jimi Hendrix

    Jimi Hendrix

  • Bad Reputation

    Bad Reputation

  • Mayor of the Sunset Strip

    Mayor of the Sunset Strip

  • The Who: Quadrophenia - Live in London

    The Who: Quadrophenia - Live in London

  • Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

    Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

  • Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today

    Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today

  • The Who: BBC Electric Proms

    The Who: BBC Electric Proms

  • VH1 Rock Honors: The Who

    VH1 Rock Honors: The Who

  • The Who: The Kids Are Alright

    The Who: The Kids Are Alright

  • The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

    The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

  • The Who - At Kilburn 1977

    The Who - At Kilburn 1977

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

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

  • Concerts for the People of Kampuchea

    Concerts for the People of Kampuchea

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

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

  • Classic Albums: The Who - Who's Next

    Classic Albums: The Who - Who's Next

  • Acoustic at the BBC

    Acoustic at the BBC

  • Woodstock: Untold Stories Revisited

    Woodstock: Untold Stories Revisited

  • The Lost Paths

    The Lost Paths

  • The Who: Werchter 6/30/2006

    The Who: Werchter 6/30/2006

  • A Celebration: The Music of Pete Townshend and The Who

    A Celebration: The Music of Pete Townshend and The Who

  • Sound of the City: London 1964-73

    Sound of the City: London 1964-73

  • Pete Townshend - Letterman Compilation 1985-1999

    Pete Townshend - Letterman Compilation 1985-1999

  • The Who: Live in Texas '75

    The Who: Live in Texas '75

  • The Who: Live in Boston

    The Who: Live in Boston

  • Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who

    Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who

  • Beat Club: The 40th Anniversary Edition

    Beat Club: The 40th Anniversary Edition

  • Carousella

    Carousella

  • The Who: Lyon 7/17/2006

    The Who: Lyon 7/17/2006

  • 1996 VH1 Honors

    1996 VH1 Honors

  • The World's Greatest Gigs

    The World's Greatest Gigs

  • 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

  • Woodstock: Untold Stories

    Woodstock: Untold Stories

  • The Who - The Making of Tommy

    The Who - The Making of Tommy

  • Monterey Pop: The Outtake Performances

    Monterey Pop: The Outtake Performances

  • Jean-Michel Jarre: A Journey into Sound

    Jean-Michel Jarre: A Journey into Sound

  • The Who: One Band's Explosive Story

    The Who: One Band's Explosive Story

  • Play It Loud: The Story of Marshall

    Play It Loud: The Story of Marshall

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

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

  • The Session Man

    The Session Man

  • Brian Wilson: On Tour

    Brian Wilson: On Tour

  • The Who: Tommy Live With Special Guests

    The Who: Tommy Live With Special Guests

  • THE WHO Live At The Chicago Amphitheater 1979

    THE WHO Live At The Chicago Amphitheater 1979

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

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

  • The Who | Live, Featuring the Rock Opera Tommy

    The Who | Live, Featuring the Rock Opera Tommy

  • The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb

    The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb

  • The Who: Tommy Live at The Royal Albert Hall

    The Who: Tommy Live at The Royal Albert Hall

  • The Who: Sensation—The Story of Tommy

    The Who: Sensation—The Story of Tommy

  • 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

  • Video EP: Pete Townshend

    Video EP: Pete Townshend

  • The Who – With Orchestra Live At Wembley

    The Who – With Orchestra Live At Wembley

  • The Who - Who's Next 1971-2023

    The Who - Who's Next 1971-2023

  • The Who - Live at the London Coliseum 1969

    The Who - Live at the London Coliseum 1969

  • The Who: Live at the Isle of Wight 2004 Festival

    The Who: Live at the Isle of Wight 2004 Festival

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

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

  • The Who | Tommy and Quadrophenia Live

    The Who | Tommy and Quadrophenia Live

  • Classic Albums: The Who Sell Out

    Classic Albums: The Who Sell Out

  • The Who: Maximum R&B Live

    The Who: Maximum R&B Live

  • The Who Hits 50! Live

    The Who Hits 50! Live

  • The Who: Live in Hyde Park

    The Who: Live in Hyde Park

  • The Who: Madrid 7/27/2006

    The Who: Madrid 7/27/2006

  • The Who: French TV Archives 1965-1967

    The Who: French TV Archives 1965-1967

  • Pete Townshend - South Bank Show Documentary

    Pete Townshend - South Bank Show Documentary

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

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

  • The Who: Stockholm 7/6/2007

    The Who: Stockholm 7/6/2007

  • Pete Townshend's Deep End - Face The Face

    Pete Townshend's Deep End - Face The Face

  • The Who at Live Aid

    The Who at Live Aid

  • The Who: Purple Hearts and Power Chords

    The Who: Purple Hearts and Power Chords

  • An Ox's Tale: The John Entwistle Story

    An Ox's Tale: The John Entwistle Story

  • Pete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict

    Pete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict

  • Dear Mr. Fantasy - A Celebration for Jim Capaldi

    Dear Mr. Fantasy - A Celebration for Jim Capaldi

  • The Who: Quadrophenia Live With Special Guests

    The Who: Quadrophenia Live With Special Guests

  • The Who: Liverpool 7/6/2006

    The Who: Liverpool 7/6/2006

  • The Who: Philadelphia 11/25/2006

    The Who: Philadelphia 11/25/2006

  • The Who: Live from Toronto

    The Who: Live from Toronto

  • The Who: Hampshire 7/3/2006

    The Who: Hampshire 7/3/2006

  • The Who: Vancouver 10/8/2006

    The Who: Vancouver 10/8/2006

  • The Who: Atlantic City 3/9/2007

    The Who: Atlantic City 3/9/2007

  • The Who: Baltimore 9/23/2006

    The Who: Baltimore 9/23/2006

  • The Who: Ulm 7/23/2006

    The Who: Ulm 7/23/2006

  • Smashing Pumpkins: If All Goes Wrong

    Smashing Pumpkins: If All Goes Wrong

  • The Night That Changed Rock

    The Night That Changed Rock

  • The Who: Rock in Rio 2017

    The Who: Rock in Rio 2017

  • The Who ‎– Live At Tanglewood 1970

    The Who ‎– Live At Tanglewood 1970

  • The Who: Fragments Fan Club DVD

    The Who: Fragments Fan Club DVD

  • One For The Road: Ronnie Lane Memorial Concert

    One For The Road: Ronnie Lane Memorial Concert

  • The Who – Broadcast In Roundhouse Electric Proms 2006

    The Who – Broadcast In Roundhouse Electric Proms 2006

  • Pete Townshend: Music from Lifehouse

    Pete Townshend: Music from Lifehouse

  • The Who: Nyon 7/20/2006

    The Who: Nyon 7/20/2006

  • The Who: Dublin 6/29/2007

    The Who: Dublin 6/29/2007

  • The Who: Live at Shea Stadium 1982

    The Who: Live at Shea Stadium 1982

  • The Who: Wantagh 9/13/2006

    The Who: Wantagh 9/13/2006

  • The Who: Live at Lyon

    The Who: Live at Lyon

  • Police Protecting Children - Internet Paedophilia

    Police Protecting Children - Internet Paedophilia

  • All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes

    All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes

  • The Who: Boston 9/16/2006

    The Who: Boston 9/16/2006

  • The Who: Fresno 2/25/2007

    The Who: Fresno 2/25/2007

  • The Who: Bonn 7/11/2006

    The Who: Bonn 7/11/2006

  • The Who Rocks America 1982

    The Who Rocks America 1982

  • The Who: Cheshire 6/23/2007

    The Who: Cheshire 6/23/2007

  • The Who: Dublin 7/8/2006

    The Who: Dublin 7/8/2006

  • The Who: Glasgow 7/9/2006

    The Who: Glasgow 7/9/2006

  • The Who: Metz 7/18/2006

    The Who: Metz 7/18/2006

  • The Who: Holmdel 9/21/2006

    The Who: Holmdel 9/21/2006

  • The Who: Philadelphia 9/12/2006

    The Who: Philadelphia 9/12/2006

  • The Who: Locarno 7/14/2006

    The Who: Locarno 7/14/2006

  • The Who: Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970

    The Who: Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970

  • The Passing Show: The Life and Music of Ronnie Lane

    The Passing Show: The Life and Music of Ronnie Lane

  • Seize millions de jeunes: Mods

    Seize millions de jeunes: Mods

  • The Who - Live at the Silverdome

    The Who - Live at the Silverdome

  • The Who: Monte Carlo 7/15/2006

    The Who: Monte Carlo 7/15/2006

  • The Who: Liverpool 7/5/2006

    The Who: Liverpool 7/5/2006

  • The Who: St. Polten 7/22/2006

    The Who: St. Polten 7/22/2006

  • The Who: Zaragoza 7/29/2006

    The Who: Zaragoza 7/29/2006

  • The Who: Palm Springs 11/11/2006

    The Who: Palm Springs 11/11/2006

  • The Who: Brighton 6/18/2006

    The Who: Brighton 6/18/2006

  • The Who: The Night That Changed Rock

    The Who: The Night That Changed Rock

  • The Who: Lisbon 5/16/2007

    The Who: Lisbon 5/16/2007

  • Come Together The Rise of the Festival

    Come Together The Rise of the Festival

  • The Who: Grand Rapids 12/5/2006

    The Who: Grand Rapids 12/5/2006