Pete Townshend | WatchedThis
Pete Townshend
Acting
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
Filmography Movies
Acting
Pete Townshend's Deep End - Face The Face
This show was filmed for the famous German TV series Rockpalast in MIDEM in Cannes on 29th January 1986. Pete Townshend's Deep End were touring in support of Townshend's solo concept album "White City: A Novel". Several of the musicians that appeared on the album were featured in the line-up of the Deep End including Pink Floyd's David Gilmour on lead guitar. The set list has tracks from the "White City" album, other Pete Townshend solo tracks, Who classics, David Gilmour's song "Blue Light" and a couple of surprises. Pete Townshend and the band deliver an outstanding performance that showcases him as a solo artist as distinct from his work with The Who.
The Who: The Kids Are Alright
Through concert performances and interviews, this film offers us a comprehensive look at the British pioneer rock group, The Who. It captures their zany craziness and outrageous antics from the initial formation of the group in 1964 to 1978. It notably features the band's last performance with long-term drummer Keith Moon, filmed at Shepperton Studios in May 1978, three months before his death.
Tommy
After a series of traumatic childhood events, a psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind boy becomes a master pinball player and the object of a religious cult.
Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!
Best of the 60s is a documentary and a compilation from across the years of the iconic music series. More More. Best of the 60s is a compilation from across the years of the iconic music series and features performances by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Martha & the Vandellas, Dusty Springfield, The Animals, Otis Redding, The Temptations, The Walker Brothers, Them, Marvin Gaye and more.
The Who - At Kilburn 1977
Featuring one of the last public appearances by Keith Moon, the 1977 Kilburn show is a long-sought holy grail for fans of The Who, performing before a select audience on December 15, 1977 at Kilburn. Also included is a much earlier never-before-seen rarity and one of the band's personal favorites, The Who's powerhouse London Coliseum gig from 1969.
THE WHO Live At The Chicago Amphitheater 1979
The Who performed at the Chicago Amphitheater in Chicago, Illinois on December. 8th, 1979. The concert was broadcast live to several local movie theaters. The general consensus was that this show was the best on the 1979 tour. The show was visually stunning. Many times Pete Townshend or Roger Daltrey would move to the front of the stage and direct the cameraman to focus in close, then unleash a mic twirl or scissors kick for the hungry crowd.
Monterey Pop
Featuring performances by popular artists of the 1960s, this concert film highlights the music of the 1967 California festival. Although not all musicians who performed at the Monterey Pop Festival are on film, some of the notable acts include the Mamas and the Papas, Simon & Garfunkel, Jefferson Airplane, the Who, Otis Redding, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Hendrix's post-performance antics -- lighting a guitar on fire, breaking it and tossing a part into the audience -- are captured.
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
The Secret Policeman benefit shows for Amnesty International brought together comedy grand masters - from Python and Beyond the Fringe - and performers then relatively unknown, like Rowan Atkinson. Narrated by Dawn French, the programme includes interviews with many of the comedians and musicians who took part: John Cleese, Stephen Fry, Michael Palin, Sting, Lenny Henry and many more. The shows and their stars had a huge effect on modern British comedy. There are few comics today whose careers have not been heavily influenced by the anarchic and surreal humour of these events.
Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd
Follow the moment Barrett was kicked out of Pink Floyd, from the narrative of him going from groundbreaking musician to iconic rocker and manic, unstable star.
The Who: Maximum R&B Live
A celebration of 30 years of The Who.
Production
Cloud Chaser
Marc, a bicycle courier, attempts to escape his lethargy, shyness and alienation by living vicariously through the lens of his Super 8 camera. When he dates the attractive Julia things take a wrong turn and Marc has to face the consequences. Cloud Chaser examines the thin line between observance and obsession. The short film has been photographed with Super 8 material.
White City
A film based on Townshend's album "White City: A Novel". The story is based on the area where Townshend was raised. The drama is directed by Richard Lowenstein.
Dogs in Space
The place is Melbourne, Australia 1978. The punk phenomenon is sweeping the country and Dogs In Space, a punk group, are part of it. In a squat, in a dodgy suburb, live a ragtag collection of outcasts and don't-wanna-bes who survive on a diet of old TV space films, drugs and good music. And the satellite SKYLAB could crash through their roof at any moment...
Tommy
After a series of traumatic childhood events, a psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind boy becomes a master pinball player and the object of a religious cult.
Tommy
After a series of traumatic childhood events, a psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind boy becomes a master pinball player and the object of a religious cult.
Her Majesty
The future Queen of England stands alone in the English countryside, she must find a way to address her subjects. The year is 2020.
Her Majesty
The future Queen of England stands alone in the English countryside, she must find a way to address her subjects. The year is 2020.
American Beauty
Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis, decides to turn his hectic life around after developing an infatuation with his daughter's attractive friend.
A Silent Voice: The Movie
Shouya Ishida starts bullying the new girl in class, Shouko Nishimiya, because she is deaf. But as the teasing continues, the rest of the class starts to turn on Shouya for his lack of compassion. When they leave elementary school, Shouko and Shouya do not speak to each other again... until an older, wiser Shouya, tormented by his past behaviour, decides he must see Shouko once more. He wants to atone for his sins, but is it already too late...?
Pete Townshend: Music from Lifehouse
Recorded in London, this live 2000 concert showcases Pete Townshend, legendary guitarist of the Who, performing music from his experimental piece "Lifehouse," which he began composing in the early 1970s and spent almost 30 years trying to complete. Townshend's pet project was born out of his belief that mankind has lost touch with spirituality and neglected social contact with the advent of technology.
Gallery
