“I don’t look forward to it”: The worst part of being in The Who, according to Pete Townshend
Being a world-famous rock star is a dream chased by countless people all over the globe, but the role is not without its difficulties. Of course, there are all the usual dangers of a rock and roll lifestyle: drugs, alcoholism, sleep deprivation, and hearing loss. However, for The Who’s legendary songwriter and guitarist Pete Townshend, there are also some unexpected hurdles to overcome when living life as an archetypal rock star, namely boredom.
When Pete Townshend first entered the world of rock and roll, joining skiffle outfit The Detours in 1961, he was just 16 years old. Throughout the early 1960s, the budding young guitarist had dreams of art school and painting, but a love of music kept drawing him back into underground nightclubs, amphetamines, and the mod subculture. When Townshend and Daltrey eventually morphed into The Who, alongside Keith Moon and John Entwistle, there was certainly no going back.
Early successes like ‘I Can’t Explain’ and the era-defining ‘My Generation’ cemented Townshend’s legacy in the rock and roll revolution of the swinging sixties but, even as the decade drew to a close, the guitarist’s artistic sensibilities continued to push The Who forward into bold, modern new avenues of expression. Rock operas like Tommy and Quadrophenia altered the musical landscape forever, and condemned Townshend to a lifetime of touring, recording, and continuing on his rock and roll fantasy.
While it is certainly difficult to feel bad for Townshend getting to live as a global rock star for the majority of his existence, it is easy to understand why the 79-year-old guitarist might have become fatigued with live performance. After all, performing live night after night exerts a lot of energy, and artists are not always rewarded handsomely for that incredible effort.
The Who have always had a complex relationship with performing live. On one hand, they were renowned for their anarchic and endlessly loud gigs, which paved the way for future exploits in hard rock and metal. On the other hand, The Who themselves haven’t always been keen on performing live. Their set at Woodstock, for instance, reflected the ‘peace and love’ era of hippiedom, but The Who themselves openly detested the festival for its lack of organisation.
What’s more, playing the same songs night after night for decades on end is bound to become repetitive eventually. As Townshend revealed to Lifestyle in 2022, “I do get a little bored with all of it. I think Who fans know that, and they seem to forgive me. I’m not blasé. I work hard on stage. I am completely confused by the fact that I seem to be so good at stage work. I have no idea where it comes from.”
He added, “I don’t look forward to it. I look back on it with incredulity.”
Admittedly, the guitarist recognised how lucky he is to be afforded such a life. “In a sense, it’s where I have my proper job, the job that pays the mortgage—and yes, I do have one,” he shared. “So, I feel lucky to have it— and really lucky to be with superb musicians and a great singer who seem to enjoy it so much.”
Still, with the recent news that The Who are planning a farewell tour (one of many, the first taking place back in 1982), it seems as though Townshend’s apparent boredom with live performance will finally relent. After all, he’s been performing live for over 60 years, so it might be time to enjoy retirement.
