Electric lead guitarists, who are frequently from the psychedelic rock era, are favoured on lists of top guitarists. Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix are all constantly converting guitar shops. But rhythm guitarists are also deserving of recognition, particularly when they claim Pete Townshend’s compositional eminence.
Under this explosive exterior of rock ‘n’ roll mayhem, The Who’s guitarist is a shrewd instrumentalist and songwriter. Even though he may have been the inspiration for Hendrix’s destructive onstage antics. During the 1960s and 1970s, this formula appeared to be effective for any successful rock star. According to Townshend, “I was the kid of the guy who played saxophone in a post-war dance band”. Which he recalled in an Apple Music interview from 2021. “He was aware that his music was intended for a post-war audience, and it was for dancing with a woman that you might end up marrying. It was about romance, dreams, fantasy.”
Townshend asserts that because of his upbringing, he was among the first in his generation to recognise the potential influence that rock music would have on popular culture. Even though The Who staged exuberant performances, they still naturally expressed their emotions and fit the music they made in the 1960s and 1970s.
Townshend put in a great deal of time and effort to make The Who a serious band, all behind the scenes of Keith Moon’s wild percussion. He created ambitious rock operas that set the band apart from peers like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. His motivation stemmed from a desire for spiritual narrative and exquisite composition.
As a result, the remarkable work on Tommy and Who’s Next? is deservedly regarded for Townshend’s songwriting skill set and the group’s studio work. Because of the band’s abundance of skill and Pete Townshend’s many facets, it’s simple to ignore his exceptional guitar virtuosity.
Although Townshend was never going to outdo Hendrix in a lead solo duel, his compositional rhythm playing skill and dexterity surpassed all others. Additionally, he had the ability to skillfully manoeuvre into some outstanding lead solos when his compositions called for vibrant fills.
Townshend is fairly modest about his own status as a guitarist. In 1968, he said to Rolling Stone, “I find it astounding. And I find it hard to believe if anyone ever says that they rate me as a guitarist at all.” “Even though I enjoy playing the guitar, I believe it’s pretty clear that I play whatever I want to within my own limitations.”
Subsequently, the Who songwriter talked about how Hendrix was among his most accomplished peers. “As a guitarist, I’m nowhere near someone like that, so the compliment feels out of place”. Townshend said, expressing his admiration for Hendrix.
Even though Townshend considered his guitar playing to be only adequate for what he intended to “put over,” he acknowledged some of his more impressive fretboard performances later in his career. In 1980, he said to Sound International, “‘My Baby Gives It Away‘ has my personal favourite solo.” “I also enjoy the song “Heart To Hang On To” from the Rough Mix album because it’s just so bizarre. I’ve been playing for a long time, so I should be starting to play better now.
