Pete Townshend, guitarist and creative genius of The Who has always been one of the most outspoken men in rock. This ability to express himself with a simple snarl has run parallel to his musical accomplishments. It made him a fascinating and even slightly controversial figure.
Never afraid to criticize the work of his contemporaries, the ‘Baba O’Riley songwriter has provided a slew of hot takes in his time. It should come as no surprise that a man who had such a significant hand in changing culture should be unafraid to veer off the beaten path. Also, It’s from revealing his problem with Jimi Hendrix’s game-changing efforts to declaring he was “incredibly disappointed” by his teenage hero Bob Dylan. He said that was “nothing” to his personality.
Of course, Townshend has spared no effort in criticizing himself. Still, his comments on other people’s efforts stand out the most. It’s because they provide insight into how he consumes music. And even what he looks for when listening, painting a picture of how he established his artistry. As a purist when it comes to rock music, he has torn into several notable acts. He has also provided well-considered accounts, even if they aren’t always the most agreeable.
Kiss, a New York glam metaller, is one band Pete Townshend has expressed disdain for. In an interview with Hazy Rock in 2014, The Who guitarist called the quartet “a very American phenomenon“. And he proudly stated that a band like theirs could not have happened in the UK.
“One thing that Kiss is, unequivocally not — in any way, shape, or form — is European or English,” he explained. They look like something out of Creem magazine crossed with Las Vegas. Or even New Orleans. It has a New Orleans feel to it, like a very American Mardi Gras.”
“They couldn’t have happened here,” said Townshend. He added, “They could have happened in Berlin, in which case their music would not have been the same.” They would have appeared as they did. They would, however, have created a different type of music. They’re a distinctly American phenomenon.”
Townshend continued his account by describing Kiss’s early years as “difficult”. It’s because he saw them as a clear “parody,” before questioning why they wore disguises. In typical fashion, he concluded that Paul Stanley and his band were not sincere rock ‘n’ rollers in the same spiritual sense as the artists he admires.
