Pete Townshend

Latest about Pete Townshend

Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page comp
Pete Townshend is warming to Led Zeppelin

By Phil Weller Published

He may not have been a Led Zep fan at the start, but Townshend’ s tune is changing

Guitarists
Left–The Who, Pete Townshend in concert circa 1969 at the Isle of Wight Music Festival, England at the Various in Various. Right– Pete Townshend mid-jump on stage
In 1970, Pete Townshend smashed his iconic SG at a show and gave it to a superfan – 56 years later, it's finally been unearthed

By Janelle Borg Published

The Who superfan who caught Townshend’s guitar mid-show went to great lengths to make it playable again – now, it’s set to make its way back to the stage

Electric Guitars
J Mascis of the American rock band Dinosaur Jr. performs in concert during Tomavistas Festival on May 24, 2024 in Madrid, Spain
Why Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis moved away from high-end amps in favor of the humble gear he used back in the ’80s

By Janelle Borg Published

J Mascis discusses why he has tried ditching modern amps in favor of the ones he used when recording the band’s first few albums

Guitarists
Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend pulls out of Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival due to injury

By Matt Owen Published

Townshend has also quietly confirmed a reunion with The Who is in the works

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Concert, Gigs & Tours
Pete Townshend and Peter Frampton
Pete Townshend offered Peter Frampton his place in the Who – then blanked him

By Phil Weller Published

Frampton was at an all-time low and Townshend wanted to quit touring, but it didn't quite work out

Guitarists
(L-R) Roger McGuinn, Jakob Dylan of The Wallflowers and Eric Clapton perform onstage during Day 1 of Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival at Crypto.com Arena on September 23, 2023 in Los Angeles, California
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival announces 2026 lineup

By Janelle Borg Published

Now in its seventh edition, the festival is set to take place in Austin, Texas – and features Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, and John Mayer, while Trey Anastasio, Tommy Emmanuel, Julian Lage and Pete Townshend are all making their Crossroads debut

Concert, Gigs & Tours
Joe Bonamassa with a Gibson ES-350
Joe Bonamassa on the vintage Gibson that makes a great power chord guitar

By Joe Bonamassa Published

What makes the Gibson ES-350 so good for rock? Bonamassa says they are a real live wire, with “a lot of pop” and no shortage of low-end

Artist Lessons
Rock band The Who (Pete Townshend) perform at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California on August 22,1989
Pete Townshend’s substitute guitarist on his heated rehearsal row with the Who legend

By Phil Weller Published

Steve Bolton was hired to handle Townshend’s electric leads in the lead up to the band’s 1989 tour, but some confusion over who’d play what during one rehearsal tipped things over the edge

Guitarists
Pete Townshend smashes his Fender Stratocaster against an amplifier
The origins of Pete Townshend's guitar-smashing ritual

By Jackson Maxwell Published

The destructive antics began as an unwelcome byproduct of something else the Who guitarist helped add to the guitar lexicon: wild feedback odysseys

Guitarists
Pete Townshend of The Who performs at Parco Della Musica on July 22, 2025 in Milan, Italy
Pete Townshend opens up about the health challenges he encountered and overcame before the Who's final bow

By Janelle Borg Published

The Who have embarked on their final North American tour, with their final date wrapping up at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 28

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Guitarists
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