Pete Townshend on The Who, Smashing Guitars and Creating Rock Opera in The Who's TOMMY (Extended)

I saw the Who in 1973 in Denver. Half way thru, he ripped a finger nail off doing the windmill thing, blood running down his arm. Didn't miss a beat, finished the concert still bleeding. Best concert I ever saw.

I gotta give credit where it's due. This time, Fallon let the guest tell the story without any ridiculous, giggly interruptions. Thank you, it was worth it.

Their album "Quadrophenia" was my all time favorite. 😁

John Entwistle "became a very adept bass player"? The guy revolutionized bass playing. But Pete knows that. :)

I met Pete at the old Navarro Hotel on Central Park South in NYC back in 1979. The Who were playing five nights at the Garden. I had seen The Who at the Boston Garden in 1976. But this was my chance to meet Pete. My cousin and his two friends got to go up and hang with the band for an hour or so. I stayed downstairs. While I was waiting Bruce Springsteen came out and a few minutes later George Harrison. Bruce signed my travel bag. He was very cool. George would not sign for anyone. I didn't care. I was waiting to meet the man. Finally Pete finally came down with John Entwistle, Kenny Jones and a few other people I did not know. That was my chance. I went up to him nervously as he signed for four or five other fans waiting around their limos. Right before he got in the car I said "Pete do you have time for one more?" He said no. I was crushed. He then smiled and said "sure kid". I was elated. One of the best songwriters ever~ Rob/Boston

I watched Roger Daltrey on David Letterman on his 51st birthday, in 1995. I was 27 then, and thought he was ancient. Now I'm 56 and he's 80. 56 ain't old! I caught their show in Phoenix about 18 months ago, my 6th time seeing them.

"The Who"; my favorite rock band ever, since I was around 14 years old (I'm now 73). I've followed those fantastic musicians all my years. Pete is the most pioneering and creative composer in music ever in my opinion. I saw the Who twice in the 70's and took my son Regan to see Pete and Roger in Raleigh NC several years ago. After seeing the performance, Regan told me that that night, that he was able to cross number one off of his bucket list. Pete could probably be a damn good stand up (maybe now a sit down comedian) these days. Cudos to you for changing your mind about hoping to die before you got old! Way to go Pete, Roger and John and Keith for being a part of so many of our lives with your incredible music and performances for all those years.

As a guitarist, I have always found the intro to Pinball Wizard stands as a testament to Townsend's songwriting genius. Deceptively simple, this progression of chords features cascading decending notes among unusual chord choices of pure genius. Love Reign O'er Me employs a similar trick actually emulating rainfall. Again, genius.

Pete’s solo albums ‘Empty Glass’ and ‘All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes’ are two of my favorite albums of all time, by any artist or group. The lyrics to ‘Slit Skirts’ off of Chinese Eyes are among the best ever written, by any song writer.

Pete’s kindness toward Eric Clapton during Eric’s darkest days cemented Pete as a genuine friend and a good person.

I met Pete many years ago. It was at the premiere of Tommy in La Jolla. He could not have been nicer and more gracious. I have his autograph on the program for the show. 🙏💪🌍🌎🌏❤️🇺🇸🖖

Im 32 years old, and I saw The Who perform at my local stadium for their 50th anniversary with my 50 year old dad a few years ago. Even though it was years ago, I can still remember it like it was yesterday. Brilliant and timeless band!

Pete Townshend is one of the few Rock Stars that will sit down and have a interview in a serious manner and answer questions in a straightforward way... No Obsfucation, No Stoner memory lapse jokes, No BS... It's So Damn Refreshing to see a Super Star Artist speak and communicate so all of us can get a view into the rarefied air of a Rock Genius!!! Thank you!

Pete Townshend is just so interesting and full of endless stories to tell and has a brilliant sense of humor. Yes, I also know he is one of the greatest guitarists and songwriters of all time. 🎸

Quadrophenia changed my life when I was a teen. A true Rock God. Genius. All The Who B-sides are so brilliant. Love you Pete!

As an 11 yr. old in 1965, I was more into more 'folkie acoustic music' The Lovin' spoonful were my favourite. In 1969 when the song ' Pinball Wizard' was released it blew my mind! I was not 'all in' with the whole album, but in 1971 they recorded probaly the greatest rock album of all time! I still play (on my radio show) and at home. "who's next' still holds up in 2024

A lot of people commenting here saw The Who before I was born. That’s why they are legendary, timeless and will last forever. Love love love Pete and hope to see him with his solo project, or The Who, again soon.

Pete is one of the greatest songwriter of all time absolutely legend ,and a pioneer of rock.

I saw The Who in Oct. 1982 at the Seattle Kingdome. Their opening act was The Clash. Absolutely great concert.

I've seen the WHO live five times ,at least once a decade since 1969, just about every iteration of the band. The creative passion of Mr. Townsend has always shown through. The power of their music and presence is still yet to be matched by any new bands I've seen over the years.