Pete Townshend, known for his intense performances with The Who, is as famous for his no-holds-barred approach as he is for his guitar skills. His dedication to “leaving a wound” on stage is a sentiment that spills over into his personal life, where he rarely shies away from making pointed remarks, even about his own band or fellow rock icons.
As outspoken as he is talented, Townshend’s blunt comments have often stirred up controversy. His frank opinions about bands like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and even Jimi Hendrix have raised eyebrows. Still, he stands firm on his critiques, including those directed at his own songs. One of his more infamous targets? The 1969 hit “Pinball Wizard” from Tommy, The Who’s groundbreaking rock opera.
Written from the perspective of a pinball prodigy, the song captures the creative ambitions behind Tommy. Townshend crafted its unique intro after drawing inspiration from Henry Purcell’s Symphony Upon One Note, a piece that left a strong impression on him.
“I found that a stunning thing to call upon while I was in the process of writing ‘Pinball Wizard,’” he explained in Guitar World. “I analysed every chord and found ways to play them on guitar.”
The piece begins with a baroque-style riff, followed by flamenco-inspired strumming, creating a dynamic track that excited everyone at the studio, including engineer Damon Lyon-Shaw, who predicted it would be a hit.
But despite the track’s poetic creation, Townshend has repeatedly downplayed its significance. “[The song was] intended as a poorly aimed dirty joke,” he wrote in his Scoop album liner notes.
Reflecting on its origins, he admitted he came up with it on a whim after picking up an accordion and experimenting with a polka rhythm. “Amazingly, recorded by The Who to my disbelief,” he continued, adding that he couldn’t believe it became a hit in the U.S.
In recent years, Townshend has distanced himself even further from “Pinball Wizard.” Describing it as a clumsy attempt at songwriting, he shared his embarrassment over the track: “I knocked it off. I thought, ‘Oh, my God, this is awful, the most clumsy piece of writing I’ve ever done.’”
He admitted feeling disheartened with its structure, noting that the verses were too similar and the song lacked the typical midsection that he often favored. But despite his misgivings, he pressed on, and it was completed.
The result? The track became synonymous with The Who and their rock opera vision, eventually standing as one of the band’s best-known songs. With its theatrical yet restrained guitar work, “Pinball Wizard” showcases Townshend’s commitment to simplicity, using alternating suspended and major chords to produce a melody that’s unforgettable. The song’s iconic guitar line remains a classic for guitar students and a defining moment in The Who’s catalog.
