Pete Townshend Quotes

A collection of quotes by Pete Townshend.

Pete Townshend is an English musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the guitarist and principal songwriter of the rock band The Who. He was born on May 19, 1945, in London, England. Townshend's creative abilities and innovative guitar playing have had a significant impact on the development of rock music.

As a member of The Who, Townshend became known for his dynamic stage presence and energetic performances. He wrote prolifically for the band, with hits like "My Generation," "Pinball Wizard," and "Baba O'Riley" among his most notable compositions. His songwriting often explored themes of rebellion, adolescence, and spirituality.

Aside from his work with The Who, Townshend has released several solo albums, which showcased his versatility as a musician and his willingness to experiment with various musical styles. He is also recognized for his involvement in the development of rock operas, most notably with The Who's "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia."

Townshend's contributions to music have earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. He continues to perform and create music, firmly establishing himself as one of rock music's most influential figures.

Entertainment came out of this thing called a television, an

Entertainment came out of this thing called a television, and it was gray. Most of the films that we saw at the cinema were black and white. It was a gray world. And music somehow was in color.

Music

It's sad when people break up.

It's sad when people break up.

Sad

I don't really know any other musicians like me. I grew up b

I don't really know any other musicians like me. I grew up backstage with my dad who played in a post-war dance band, so I always feel at home at a venue.

Dad

The problem for me, still today, is that I write purely with

The problem for me, still today, is that I write purely with one dramatic structure and that is the rite of passage. I'm not really skilled in any other. Rock and roll itself can be described as music to accompany the rite of passage.

Music

I have terrible hearing trouble. I have unwittingly helped t

I have terrible hearing trouble. I have unwittingly helped to invent and refine a type of music that makes its principal proponents deaf.

Music

Even modern English people are imperious, superior, ridden b

Even modern English people are imperious, superior, ridden by class. All of the hypocrisy and the difficulties that are endemic in being British also make it an incredibly fertile place culturally. A brilliant place to live. Sad but true.

Sad

I want to age with some dignity.

I want to age with some dignity.

Age

When I grew up, what was interesting for me was that music w

When I grew up, what was interesting for me was that music was color and life was gray. So music for me has always been more than entertainment.

Music

What I took back, because of my exposure to the Jewish music

What I took back, because of my exposure to the Jewish music of the 30s and the 40s in my upbringing with my father, was that kind of theatrical songwriting. It was always a part of my character. This desire to make people laugh.

Music

I have to say that anger is the blanket that comes around me

I have to say that anger is the blanket that comes around me, and that blunts and blurs my sense of proportion.

Anger

We tried not to age, but time had its rage.

We tried not to age, but time had its rage.

Age

I felt that the elegance of pop music was that it was reflec

I felt that the elegance of pop music was that it was reflective: we were holding up a mirror to our audience and reflecting them philosophically and spiritually, rather than just reflecting society or something called 'rock and roll.'

Music

What I'm trying to do is find either existing properties or

What I'm trying to do is find either existing properties or come up with properties or angles or stories which will create music drama. It's my obsession and most of all I would like to remain working in theatre. I think it's very much alive.

Music