Pete has been my idle since 1971 when i first got turned on to the Who. I saw them live about a dozen times during the 70's and early 80's. The bands energy was indescribable. I never get tired listening to the Who and Pete. Long Live Rock!
It’s great to hear Pete just talk about his musical playing style and the gear he used. People shit on his guitar skills and he knew his limitations but he also knew he was in the top tier as a rhythm player. He is fucking fantastic at it. His heart was more into writing and producing a different sound that didn’t include pulling off incredible solo leads that everyone compares to everyone else to. He’s also one of the very best acoustic guitarists
'Ole Audiophile to Steve Rosin: I remember a story I once read about Pete Townshend. This was a fairly long time ago around the time Pete was trying to sober up. Music rags as we tagged them then were typically notorious for making up crap about our favorite rock musicians so I kept this one close to vest because I was not sure it was true or not. Turned out it was. The question he was asked back then was who was Pete Townshend's favorite guitarist. Well, that immediately intrigued me because he was such a perfectionist & oh-so picky. Obviously, his response shocked my pants off because it was the same somebody I came up admiring & this guy was local to my area at the time. When Pete was asked, his response was American James Gang guitarist Joe Walsh. During one of the many countless Who tours, James Gang was signed to back up the Who through a portion of Europe. Turns out, Joe & Pete became fast friends & Pete took an immediate liking to Joe. Joe had brought him his problem. Pete taught him how to work his way out of it because Pete shared the same problem. That problem was singing lead while playing lead guitar at the same time. Pete then taught Joe how to play rhythm guitar while singing & to switch to lead on the other side. Joe went on to a fabulous solo career & everyone remembers his time with the Eagles, even after their return from 'Hell'. Thanx.
This is really fascinating. Rarely have I heard Pete ever talk about his guitars/amps or how he plays guitar. That bit about tuning the b string flat and then pulling the SG neck back to raise it for certain chords is genius. Most guitarists are not that sensitive to tuning chords while playing.
Just subscribed to you Steve - loving all of this stuff - I play music professionally and saw Pete on stage with Roger for the first time with an orchestra last week - finally at the age of 27 - he’s my long term hero
This is fantastic! Pete's easily my favorite guitarist, as are The Who my favorite band. He made me want to play the guitar and has greatly influenced my playing. Irregardless of my personal opinions, however, if I were to ever have a chat with any rockstar or celebrity for that matter, dead or alive, it'd be Pete Townshend without question. This may sound pathetic to some degree, but I'm such a fan of his that although I've been in the same building as him numerous times seeing The Who perform, it pains me to no end knowing that I'll most likely never get the chance to shake his hand, say hello and thank him. A proper conversation with Pete would be my own personal Valhalla for crying out loud! This goes for Roger, Keith and John as well, because I just really fucking love The Who. They're all amazing, but Pete's just godlike in my eyes.
I'm right behind you! I've been a Who fanatic since 1973. Attended many great concerts especially back during their hey days in the 70's. I also dreamt of meeting Pete or any of the other members. I consider Pete to be a musical genius. Love listening to his interviews. Seems like he would be a great guy to speak to. Long Live Rock!
@jerry_fishguy Yeah, Pete's just the best. He looks better than any guitarist on stage. His playing is top tier. His intellectual prowess is unrivaled. He's written and defined the concept album. Singlehandedly changed the way rock guitar sounds. I can listen to him talk for hours. That's why the press love him. I'm not taking anything away from Roger, Keith, or John. They're all the very best at what they do in my eyes, but Pete is the brain of that band.
Yeap...we sound like similar Who fanatics. Pete has also influenced me with playing the guitar. I've learned how to play many Who songs. And yes I get almost mesmerized listening to Pete interviews.. They're almost like story time. I never get tired listening to his interviews..Long Live Rock!
I came across this channel just today, and I remember the name Steve Rosen from interviews in the German 'Fachblatt MusikerMagazin' in the 1980's, and I assume those had been translated from Guitar Player magazines. *Edit:* I realised when he said "Because Rickenbackers are made out of cardboard" that I'd read the German translation also of *this* interview in said magazine - but only in February '83! 😅
In my opinion, I feel that The Who are as important a band as the Beatles and the Stones and the Animals, Faces, the Kinks, Queen, PF and LZ. Too many people compare. I say don’t judge but rather observe...and enjoy the music. I love this band for the same reasons I love all the previously mentioned others. John’s little bass solo on My Generation was a major turning point in the destination of Rock music. We can sum it up this way too: one instrument and ten musicians: that instrument will sound ten different ways.
Didn't like Gibson's??? For me,his best sound he ever had was using the SG.... also the sheckter teles.... only on the 82 tour though.... sounded weak through the 79 and 81 tours
It decreases because the tape on the supply reel of the cassette tape has less tape rubbing against the inside of the cassette housing. Higher end cassette tapes had graphite coated gaskets between the side of the tape reels and the housing. This could have been prevented by fast-forwarding and rewinding the cassette tape before recording. Visual inspection of cassette tapes will reveal any misalignment. Smacking the side of the cassette to push the tape back into alignment sometimes worked.
What do you mean by calling some of your interviews "lost"? Do you mean they were never transcribed and published? Also, which music publications published your stuff?
Pete has been my idle since 1971 when i first got turned on to the Who. I saw them live about a dozen times during the 70's and early 80's. The bands energy was indescribable. I never get tired listening to the Who and Pete. Long Live Rock!
*idol
I could listen to Chairman Townshend muse about gear and musical influences all day long. Great share- thx!!⚡️
thank you so much Steve. Been a HUGE Who fan since I was about 9 or 10 years old. This is going to be an amazing listen@!!
Hi Richard!
Love listening to pete when he really enjoys talking ! some interviews he just goes through the motions and aint really bothered , great thanks .
Thanks for sharing such an interesting interview. I don't think I've ever heard Pete talk about the guitar so much. Good job.
Like his first solid body guitar was bought, in installments, from Roger??
It’s great to hear Pete just talk about his musical playing style and the gear he used. People shit on his guitar skills and he knew his limitations but he also knew he was in the top tier as a rhythm player. He is fucking fantastic at it. His heart was more into writing and producing a different sound that didn’t include pulling off incredible solo leads that everyone compares to everyone else to. He’s also one of the very best acoustic guitarists
'Ole Audiophile to Steve Rosin: I remember a story I once read about Pete Townshend. This was a fairly long time ago around the time Pete was trying to sober up. Music rags as we tagged them then were typically notorious for making up crap about our favorite rock musicians so I kept this one close to vest because I was not sure it was true or not. Turned out it was. The question he was asked back then was who was Pete Townshend's favorite guitarist. Well, that immediately intrigued me because he was such a perfectionist & oh-so picky. Obviously, his response shocked my pants off because it was the same somebody I came up admiring & this guy was local to my area at the time. When Pete was asked, his response was American James Gang guitarist Joe Walsh. During one of the many countless Who tours, James Gang was signed to back up the Who through a portion of Europe. Turns out, Joe & Pete became fast friends & Pete took an immediate liking to Joe. Joe had brought him his problem. Pete taught him how to work his way out of it because Pete shared the same problem. That problem was singing lead while playing lead guitar at the same time. Pete then taught Joe how to play rhythm guitar while singing & to switch to lead on the other side. Joe went on to a fabulous solo career & everyone remembers his time with the Eagles, even after their return from 'Hell'. Thanx.
Thanks again for sharing. You have performed a huge service by letting us hear these tapes.
Excellent interview Mr Rosen.Nice to hear Pete chat about the gear he's been using.
Hes my idol too but it was my Dad that pretty much brought me up on Who music. He's so intelligent and grounded too. Long Live Rock!!!
This is really fascinating. Rarely have I heard Pete ever talk about his guitars/amps or how he plays guitar. That bit about tuning the b string flat and then pulling the SG neck back to raise it for certain chords is genius. Most guitarists are not that sensitive to tuning chords while playing.
Just subscribed to you Steve - loving all of this stuff - I play music professionally and saw Pete on stage with Roger for the first time with an orchestra last week - finally at the age of 27 - he’s my long term hero
This is fantastic! Pete's easily my favorite guitarist, as are The Who my favorite band. He made me want to play the guitar and has greatly influenced my playing. Irregardless of my personal opinions, however, if I were to ever have a chat with any rockstar or celebrity for that matter, dead or alive, it'd be Pete Townshend without question. This may sound pathetic to some degree, but I'm such a fan of his that although I've been in the same building as him numerous times seeing The Who perform, it pains me to no end knowing that I'll most likely never get the chance to shake his hand, say hello and thank him. A proper conversation with Pete would be my own personal Valhalla for crying out loud! This goes for Roger, Keith and John as well, because I just really fucking love The Who. They're all amazing, but Pete's just godlike in my eyes.
Understood!
I'm right behind you! I've been a Who fanatic since 1973. Attended many great concerts especially back during their hey days in the 70's. I also dreamt of meeting Pete or any of the other members. I consider Pete to be a musical genius. Love listening to his interviews. Seems like he would be a great guy to speak to. Long Live Rock!
@jerry_fishguy Yeah, Pete's just the best. He looks better than any guitarist on stage. His playing is top tier. His intellectual prowess is unrivaled. He's written and defined the concept album. Singlehandedly changed the way rock guitar sounds. I can listen to him talk for hours. That's why the press love him. I'm not taking anything away from Roger, Keith, or John. They're all the very best at what they do in my eyes, but Pete is the brain of that band.
Yeap...we sound like similar Who fanatics. Pete has also influenced me with playing the guitar. I've learned how to play many Who songs. And yes I get almost mesmerized listening to Pete interviews.. They're almost like story time. I never get tired listening to his interviews..Long Live Rock!
From Baba O'Riley to Bargain; from My Wife to Behind Blue Eyes? ..Who's Next is their rockinest album, for sure.
WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN - The greatest rock song ever recorded.
Agree, Best band ever ❤
Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks you so much. "Rock needn't turn you into an idiot" Pete Townshend
I came across this channel just today, and I remember the name Steve Rosen from interviews in the German 'Fachblatt MusikerMagazin' in the 1980's, and I assume those had been translated from Guitar Player magazines. *Edit:* I realised when he said "Because Rickenbackers are made out of cardboard" that I'd read the German translation also of *this* interview in said magazine - but only in February '83! 😅
Good to know that Pete hated Deep Purple, Ten Years After and Les Paul, but liked Larry Carlton and Pat Martino.
Awesome Steve!!!
Back in those days, Pete would stay at the Pierre Hotel on East 61st Street.
They owned a stake in the Navarro Hotel.
@@toddmorrissey8372 In the mid 70’s, Pete would stay at the Pierre while Keith Moon cavorted at the Navarro.
In my opinion, I feel that The Who are as important a band as the Beatles and the Stones and the Animals, Faces, the Kinks, Queen, PF and LZ. Too many people compare. I say don’t judge but rather observe...and enjoy the music. I love this band for the same reasons I love all the previously mentioned others. John’s little bass solo on My Generation was a major turning point in the destination of Rock music. We can sum it up this way too: one instrument and ten musicians: that instrument will sound ten different ways.
Fantastique
Didn't like Gibson's??? For me,his best sound he ever had was using the SG.... also the sheckter teles.... only on the 82 tour though.... sounded weak through the 79 and 81 tours
The best!!
Is that ticking inside my head?
08:23: Lou Reed would routinely reference James/Jimmy Burton from Ricky Nelson's band. Interesting.
Where's the book Paete?
Is that a click in the background or a water drip…😩
It's driving me fucking insane.
It decreases because the tape on the supply reel of the cassette tape has less tape rubbing against the inside of the cassette housing. Higher end cassette tapes had graphite coated gaskets between the side of the tape reels and the housing. This could have been prevented by fast-forwarding and rewinding the cassette tape before recording. Visual inspection of cassette tapes will reveal any misalignment. Smacking the side of the cassette to push the tape back into alignment sometimes worked.
Is that a metronome at the beginning?
Wots that ticking?
Steve man you sound extremely nervous sounding here haha
56:19 Yagerdang!!
What do you mean by calling some of your interviews "lost"? Do you mean they were never transcribed and published? Also, which music publications published your stuff?
23:22 40:08
What's with the metronome?
It’s relaxing.
Could just be a loud clock.
Sounds like a tape deck clicking
its a little reel to reel recorder at work...
@@thedadyouneverhadchannel3544.
Yeah. Relaxing like waiting for a bomb to go off.
Trump-Townshend ‘24!
OK Nazi