Pete Townshend - Singer-songwriter, Career and Facts
Pete Townshend's Personal Details
Pete Townshend is an English rock musician, singer-songwriter and a multiple instrument player
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | May 19, 1945 |
| Nationality | British |
| Famous | Bisexual, Musicians, Guitarists, Composers, Lyricists & Songwriters, Singer-songwriter |
| Spouses | Karen Astley |
| Siblings | Simon |
| Known as | Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend |
| Universities |
|
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Birth Place | Chiswick |
| Height | 183 |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Cliff Townshend |
| Mother | Betty |
| Net Worth | $105 Million as of Jan 4,2017 |
| Sun Sign | Taurus |
| Born in | Chiswick |
| Famous as | Musician, Singer-songwriter, Composer |
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Pete Townshend's photo
Who is Pete Townshend?
Grammy Award winning English rock musician, Pete Townshend has been one of the most significant figures in the genre of rock music in the sixties and seventies. A talented songwriter and dynamic performer, he left his audiences spellbound with his signature windmill swings and smashing guitar moves. During his active years, Pete Townshend was the most prominent songwriter and guitarist of the English rock band, ‘The Who’ and is till date, revered for his concept works and out-of-the-box conceptions. He later went on to pursue a solo career and also released many tribute albums honouring his spiritual teacher, Meher Baba. In a musical career that lasted for more than four decades, he has written about 100 songs for various albums of the band ‘The Who’, which includes the Grammy Award winning opera album, ‘Tommy’ (which opened on Broadway), concept albums and other rock operas and the timeless classic, ‘Quadrophenia’. Some of his well-known albums include, ‘Empty Glass’, ‘White City: A Novel’ and ‘Psychoderelict’. He was featured on ‘Rolling Stone’magazine’s list of ‘100 greatest guitarists of all time’. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Childhood & Early Life
Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend was born on May 19, 1945 in Chiswick, London, England, into a family of musical talents. His father Cliff Townshend was a saxophonist and mother Betty Townshend was a singer.
As a child, he exhibited liking for music, especially American rock and roll, which he became drawn to in the mid 1950s. When he turned twelve, his grandmother gifted him his first guitar.
From 1961, he began to attend the Ealing Art College, London, England, where he studied to become a graphic artist. The following year, along with school friend, John Entwistle he co-founded the band, ‘The Confederates’.
He and John Entwistle later became a part of the English rock band, ‘The Detours’, which was later renamed, ‘The Who’ in 1964. He was the guitarist of the band.
Career
From 1964, he wrote quite a few successful singles for the band. Some of the singles include, ‘I Can’t Explain’, ‘Pictures of Lily’, ‘Substitute’, and ‘My Generation’.
On December 3, 1965, the band’s debut album titled, ‘My Generation’ was released. As a part of ‘The Who’, he composed and wrote most of the songs. The album received critical appreciation.
In 1966, ‘The Who’ came out with their second album titled, ‘A Quick One’, which featured the massive hit song, ‘Happy Jack’. The following year the band released its third album, ‘The Who Sell Out’.
In 1969, ‘The Who’ released their next album, ‘Tommy’, which was for most part composed by him. He received much praise and earned critical acclaim for his work in the album.
In 1970, along with Ronnie Lane, he came out with the album titled, ‘Happy Birthday’. This album was a tribute and dedication to Meher Baba, his spiritual mentor.
In 1971, ‘The Who’ came out with the album titled, ‘Who’s Next’, which had elements of rock opera, an idea that was conceived by him. The album was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
In 1972, he came out with the collaborative album, ‘I Am’, which was a tribute album to Meher Baba. The same year, he released the album, ‘Who came First’.
In 1973, ‘The Who’ released its second rock opera album, ‘Quadrophenia’, which was well received commercially. Furthermore, it received positive reviews from music critics all over the world.
In 1975, ‘The Who’ came out with their album titled, ‘The Who by Numbers’, which peaked at the music charts. The following year, he came out with the album, ‘With Love’, which was dedicated to his mentor, Meher Baba.
In 1977, he collaborated with bassist Ronnie Lane for the album titled, ‘Rough Mix’. Some of the songs he wrote include, ‘My Baby Gives It Away’, ‘Keep Me Turning’, ‘Misunderstood’, ‘Street in the City’ and ‘Heart to Hang Onto’.
In 1978, ‘The Who’ came out with their chart topping album titled, ‘Who Are You’, which was their last album with drummer Keith Moon as he died within a few days after the album’s release.
In 1980, he came out with his solo album titled, ‘Empty Glass’, which went on to become one of his most successful albums. The following year, ‘The Who’ came out with the album, ‘Face Dances’, for which he wrote most of the songs.
In 1982, he came up with the solo album, ‘All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes’. The same year, ‘The Who’ released the album ‘It’s Hard’, which was reissued in later years.
In 1985, he released his solo concept album titled, ‘White City: A Novel’. The following year, he came out with the live album, ‘Deep End Live!’ which featured excerpts of live performances from London’s Brixton Academy.
In 1989, he came out with ‘The Iron Man: The Musical by Pete Townshend’, which was for most part composed and performed by him. The same year, his singles, ‘A Friend Is A Friend’ and ‘I Won’t Run Anymore’ were released.
In 1993, he released the concept album titled, ‘Psychoderelict’, which was both produced and engineered by him. The next year, he came out with the compilation album, ‘Scoop3’.
In 1993, the rock musical, ‘The Who’s Tommy’, based on ‘The Who’s’ rock opera album, ‘Tommy’ opened on Broadway. This was also made into a book.
In 2000, he released a series of live albums titled, ‘Live: Sadler’s Wells’, ‘Live: The Empire’ and ‘Live: The Fillmore’. The following year he came out with the albums, ‘Jai Baba’ and ‘‘O’ Parvardigar’.
In 2006, ‘The Who’ released the album titled, ‘Endless Wire’ and also came out with the live concert album, ‘Live from Toronto’. That year, the band also came out with the extended play, ‘Wire & Glass’.
In 2007, a documentary based on ‘The Who’ titled, ‘Amazing Journey: The Story of the Who’ was released on television. The following year they were also subject to a special tribute concert, aired as ‘VH1 Rock Honors: The Who’
In 2010, ‘The Who’ delivered a performance at the Super Bowl XLIV, during the half-time. The same year the band released the compilation album titled, ‘Greatest Hits’.
‘The Who’ performed, ‘My Generation’, ‘See Me, Feel Me’ and ‘Baba O’Riley’ at the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in London. The same year the band also announced a tour.
Major Works
The song, ‘My Generation’ by ‘The Who’ was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It was featured on The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s ‘500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll’.
His solo album, ‘Empty Glass’, was ranked at number 57 on the ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine’s list of ‘100 Greatest Albums of the 1980s’. In a Gibson Guitar Corp poll, a musical instruments firm, it was rated at number 5 for, ‘the greatest albums released by an artist who was previously in a successful band’.
Awards & Achievements
In 1983, he received the ‘Life Achievement Award’ at the BRIT Awards ceremony.
In 1994, he received the Grammy Award for the category of ‘Best Musical Show Album’ for ‘The Who’s Tommy’.
In 2008 he was the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors.
In 2010, he was awarded the honorary doctorate from University of West London.
Personal Life & Legacy
On May 20, 1968, he married Karen Astley, with whom he had three children. The couple separated in 1994 and legally divorced in 2009.
In 1974, he organised a benefit show for the Camden Square Community Play Center. He has also donated for other charities, including charities for children and has been involved in many philanthropic activities.
He established the Meher Baba Oceanic in London, for Baba followers. The organisation had film editing and dubbing facilities along with economic stay. He also contributed to the Avatar Meher Baba Trust in India.
In 2003, he admitted to have paid online and registered for a website that advertised child pornography. However, after police investigation it was found that he did not download any images.
He has donated and also carried out services for Amnesty International, a human rights organisation. He has also done charity shows for the same.
He is a supporter of drug rehabilitation and has endorsed this in many of his concerts and musical endeavours.
He lives with his girlfriend, Rachel Fuller, who is a musician in The Wick, Richmond, England.
Trivia
This Grammy Award winning English musician is often known to smash his guitars after his life performances.
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Pete Townshend's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | 1993 - Tony Award for Best Original Score | |
| 0 | 1993 - Grammy Awards for Best Musical Show Album | |
| 0 | 2011 - Classic Album Award for Quadrophenia | |
Pete Townshend biography timelines
- // 19th May 1945Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend was born on May 19, 1945 in Chiswick, London, England, into a family of musical talents. His father Cliff Townshend was a saxophonist and mother Betty Townshend was a singer.
- // 1961From 1961, he began to attend the Ealing Art College, London, England, where he studied to become a graphic artist. The following year, along with school friend, John Entwistle he co-founded the band, ‘The Confederates’.
- // 1964He and John Entwistle later became a part of the English rock band, ‘The Detours’, which was later renamed, ‘The Who’ in 1964. He was the guitarist of the band.
- // 1964From 1964, he wrote quite a few successful singles for the band. Some of the singles include, ‘I Can’t Explain’, ‘Pictures of Lily’, ‘Substitute’, and ‘My Generation’.
- // 3rd Dec 1965On December 3, 1965, the band’s debut album titled, ‘My Generation’ was released. As a part of ‘The Who’, he composed and wrote most of the songs. The album received critical appreciation.
- // 1966In 1966, ‘The Who’ came out with their second album titled, ‘A Quick One’, which featured the massive hit song, ‘Happy Jack’. The following year the band released its third album, ‘The Who Sell Out’.
- // 20th May 1968 To 1994On May 20, 1968, he married Karen Astley, with whom he had three children. The couple separated in 1994 and legally divorced in 2009.
- // 1969In 1969, ‘The Who’ released their next album, ‘Tommy’, which was for most part composed by him. He received much praise and earned critical acclaim for his work in the album.
- // 1970In 1970, along with Ronnie Lane, he came out with the album titled, ‘Happy Birthday’. This album was a tribute and dedication to Meher Baba, his spiritual mentor.
- // 1971In 1971, ‘The Who’ came out with the album titled, ‘Who’s Next’, which had elements of rock opera, an idea that was conceived by him. The album was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
- // 1972In 1972, he came out with the collaborative album, ‘I Am’, which was a tribute album to Meher Baba. The same year, he released the album, ‘Who came First’.
- // 1973In 1973, ‘The Who’ released its second rock opera album, ‘Quadrophenia’, which was well received commercially. Furthermore, it received positive reviews from music critics all over the world.
- // 1974In 1974, he organised a benefit show for the Camden Square Community Play Center. He has also donated for other charities, including charities for children and has been involved in many philanthropic activities.
- // 1975In 1975, ‘The Who’ came out with their album titled, ‘The Who by Numbers’, which peaked at the music charts. The following year, he came out with the album, ‘With Love’, which was dedicated to his mentor, Meher Baba.
- // 1977In 1977, he collaborated with bassist Ronnie Lane for the album titled, ‘Rough Mix’. Some of the songs he wrote include, ‘My Baby Gives It Away’, ‘Keep Me Turning’, ‘Misunderstood’, ‘Street in the City’ and ‘Heart to Hang Onto’.
- // 1978In 1978, ‘The Who’ came out with their chart topping album titled, ‘Who Are You’, which was their last album with drummer Keith Moon as he died within a few days after the album’s release.
- // 1980In 1980, he came out with his solo album titled, ‘Empty Glass’, which went on to become one of his most successful albums. The following year, ‘The Who’ came out with the album, ‘Face Dances’, for which he wrote most of the songs.
- // 1982In 1982, he came up with the solo album, ‘All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes’. The same year, ‘The Who’ released the album ‘It’s Hard’, which was reissued in later years.
- // 1983In 1983, he received the ‘Life Achievement Award’ at the BRIT Awards ceremony.
- // 1985In 1985, he released his solo concept album titled, ‘White City: A Novel’. The following year, he came out with the live album, ‘Deep End Live!’ which featured excerpts of live performances from London’s Brixton Academy.
- // 1989In 1989, he came out with ‘The Iron Man: The Musical by Pete Townshend’, which was for most part composed and performed by him. The same year, his singles, ‘A Friend Is A Friend’ and ‘I Won’t Run Anymore’ were released.
- // 1993In 1993, he released the concept album titled, ‘Psychoderelict’, which was both produced and engineered by him. The next year, he came out with the compilation album, ‘Scoop3’.
- // 1993In 1993, the rock musical, ‘The Who’s Tommy’, based on ‘The Who’s’ rock opera album, ‘Tommy’ opened on Broadway. This was also made into a book.
- // 1994In 1994, he received the Grammy Award for the category of ‘Best Musical Show Album’ for ‘The Who’s Tommy’.
- // 2000In 2000, he released a series of live albums titled, ‘Live: Sadler’s Wells’, ‘Live: The Empire’ and ‘Live: The Fillmore’. The following year he came out with the albums, ‘Jai Baba’ and ‘‘O’ Parvardigar’.
- // 2003In 2003, he admitted to have paid online and registered for a website that advertised child pornography. However, after police investigation it was found that he did not download any images.
- // 2006In 2006, ‘The Who’ released the album titled, ‘Endless Wire’ and also came out with the live concert album, ‘Live from Toronto’. That year, the band also came out with the extended play, ‘Wire & Glass’.
- // 2007In 2007, a documentary based on ‘The Who’ titled, ‘Amazing Journey: The Story of the Who’ was released on television. The following year they were also subject to a special tribute concert, aired as ‘VH1 Rock Honors: The Who’
- // 2008In 2008 he was the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors.
- // 2010In 2010, ‘The Who’ delivered a performance at the Super Bowl XLIV, during the half-time. The same year the band released the compilation album titled, ‘Greatest Hits’.
- // 2010In 2010, he was awarded the honorary doctorate from University of West London.
- // 2012‘The Who’ performed, ‘My Generation’, ‘See Me, Feel Me’ and ‘Baba O’Riley’ at the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in London. The same year the band also announced a tour.
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Pete Townshend's FAQ
What is Pete Townshend birthday?
Pete Townshend was born at 1945-05-19
Where is Pete Townshend's birth place?
Pete Townshend was born in Chiswick
What is Pete Townshend nationalities?
Pete Townshend's nationalities is British
Who is Pete Townshend spouses?
Pete Townshend's spouses is Karen Astley
Who is Pete Townshend siblings?
Pete Townshend's siblings is Simon
What was Pete Townshend universities?
Pete Townshend studied at Ealing Art College
Which company or organization was founded by Pete Townshend?
Pete Townshend was the founder/co-founder of Eel Pie Publishing
How tall is Pete Townshend?
Pete Townshend's height is 183
Who is Pete Townshend's father?
Pete Townshend's father is Cliff Townshend
Who is Pete Townshend's mother?
Pete Townshend's mother is Betty
What is Pete Townshend's sun sign?
Pete Townshend is Taurus
How famous is Pete Townshend?
Pete Townshend is famouse as Musician, Singer-songwriter, Composer