Legendary Guitarist's Boxset - More than just The Who: Pete Townshend's Concert Collection
When he stands on stage with his band The Who, Pete Townshend is applauded for his compelling stage presence. His "windmill," the guitar playing with rotating arm, and the ritual smashing of instruments at the end of concerts are iconic. Rarely has he appeared on stage without his The Who partner Roger Daltrey, but even as a solo artist, the 79-year-old looks back on a notable career. Now, a boxset featuring concerts from all phases of his solo career is being released.
"I had nothing to do with it at all," Townshend casually mentioned in an interview with the German Press Agency in London. "I saw it for the first time yesterday. It looks very nice. I'm not sure if CDs still make sense in the modern world, but who cares."
Career Retrospective with Rare Live Albums
The retrospective "Live In Concert 1985-2001," which is also available digitally, contains 14 CDs. Live albums that the British musician originally released in strictly limited form on his own website and that have been out of print for years were remastered for this project. Townshend was surprised by it.
He had sold his publishing rights to Universal some time ago. "They insisted on buying all my online releases as well," he recounted. "It's an entertaining collection, but there's no urgency or deadline. I have nothing to sell. I have no live shows planned. I'm working on solo projects, but I'm in the middle of it and don't want to talk about it too much."
Solo Career Reflections
In the liner notes, the guitar virtuoso was involved. In a bound book that was produced in collaboration with The-Who archivist Matt Kent and included in the boxset, Townshend philosophically explains his unconventional view of his Solo Career and surprises with a statement about his live performances.
"I could have talked about it years ago," Townshend said in the dpa interview. "But now, since I'm old, I have nothing left to lose. I can tell the truth. And then this sentence: 'I have never enjoyed performing. Never. I have never had a moment of joy or excitement there.'
While The-Who frontman Daltrey is always enthusiastic about live performances, Townshend, in his own words, would rather present his Music to the audience but doesn't need the concerts as confirmation. "I just don't understand what other musicians feel. I wish I could. I love music and I love making music. And I'm good at performing, but I don't know how. It just happens. It's very, very strange."
Performances with David Gilmour
The live boxset showcases his performing abilities with some gems. For example, during the two concerts at the London Brixton Academy in 1985, Townshend was accompanied by his supergroup Deep End, which included Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. It's hard to believe now: The tickets sold poorly back then. A third concert was even cancelled.
Townshend still wonders about that today. "It's just as strange as the fact that no one wanted Mick Jagger's solo albums. Maybe people just preferred The Who. I thought Deep End was a really excellent band." The setlist from Brixton includes many classics from The Who, such as "Pinball Wizard" and "Behind Blue Eyes."
The concerts of the Boxsets - including New York 1993, San Francisco 1996, London 1998, London 2000 and San Diego 2001 - contain not only numerous The Who-Songs (eight versions of "Won't Get Fooled Again") but also compelling versions of classics from Townshend's solo career (such as "Let My Love Open The Door"), cover versions and a complete live performance of his 1999 concept album "Psychoderelict".
His solo career as a main profession was never an option
His solo career began at one point due to dissatisfaction with The Who. "The truth is, I actually had psychological and mental problems," Townshend reflects. "But I drank so much alcohol that I never really noticed what was going on." Managers, agents and friends eventually advised him to be a solo artist because the band no longer worked for him at the time. The Who disbanded temporarily in 1982.
Being a solo artist as a main profession was never an option for Townshend. "If it weren't for The Who, I would have been a writer, painter, installation artist or sculptor. Perhaps I would have also worked as a businessman," believes the 79-year-old. As a singer, he always felt better when Daltrey was beside him. Solo performances exhausted him. For an extended solo tour - he only did one - he lacked the physical endurance.
Townshend leaves the future open
Whether Pete Townshend will go on tour with The Who again is left open. Currently, the versatile musician enjoys working in his studio without obligations. "I have no deadlines, I have no contract, I don't need feedback," he says with a smile. "I just enjoy the creative process. I play, it's fun, it's joyful, and I'm lucky that I earn money. I stopped making commercial music when I was in my early 30s."
- Pete Townshend often performs in London, the city where he casually mentioned his surprise at a career retrospective being released.
- The boxset features concerts from different phases of Pete Townshend's solo career, including live albums that were previously released in limited form on his website.
- In the liner notes of the boxset, Pete Townshend reflects on his solo career and shares his unconventional views about his time as a solo artist.
- The boxset includes collaborations with other musicians, such as Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, during concerts at the London Brixton Academy in 1985.
- Despite his successful career with The Who, Pete Townshend admitted to having psychological and mental problems that led to his dissatisfaction with the band, eventually leading to a solo career.
- The boxset showcases a variety of music from Pete Townshend's solo career, including cover versions and a complete live performance of his 1999 concept album "Psychoderelict."
- Currently, Pete Townshend is enjoying his studio time without obligations, leaving the future of The Who tours uncertain.
