Pete townshend is the lead guitarist with the who rock band along with roger daltrey and the late john entwistle and keith moon. The soulsearching of a deeply conflicted rock star will likely draw a mixed response from readers. Townshends rock opera tommy was the symbolic autobiography of a shy and sensitive teenager who becomes a rock star. Pete townshend guitarist, songwriter and founding member of the. But even as the principle songwriter and lead guitarist for the who, it would be unjust to define pete townshend s life simply through his achievements with bandmates daltrey, moon and entwistle. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. Recorded and released in 1971, almost two years after babas death, the musical part of the record is certainly a product of its time. I am trying to reconnect with this indian master that i adored so much when i was a young man, and im finding this book challenging. Who i am by pete townshend meet your next favorite book. Its a pulsating, raw, and painful account of a tumultuous rise to musical stardom. He serves as the narrator, but it comes across as him reading a manuscript as opposed to giving additional clues about himself.
The first part has amazing detail about his parents and grandparents even before he was born. We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. In who i am, townshend takes us from the inner sanctum of eric claptons drugridden hotel rooms to the feet of jimi hendrix and his electric koolaid guitar. That is the question the famous rocker purports to answer in his 2012 autobiography, who i am. Articulate, loquacious, selfdeprecating, and selfaggrandising, one never really knows what will emerge from the whos longstanding songwriter, whether in terms of the latest sonic offering, a quotable line from an interview, or. His new book who he is amounts to his most comprehensive autobiography but hardly his first. The unit played only a few gigs, but one was videotaped and recorded, resulting in the 1986 album pete townshends deep end live. The album includes the original version of baba oriley played by townshend alone without lyrics, which, at 9. Pete townshend has 32 books on goodreads with 16541 ratings. One of rock musics most intelligent and literary performers, pete townshendguitarist, songwriter, editortells his closestheld stories about the origins of the preeminent twentiethcentury band the who, his own career as an artist and performer, and his restless life in and out of the public eye in this candid autobiography, who i am. Song wont get fooled again live at the capital centre, largo, 1973. Townshend s rock opera tommy was the symbolic autobiography of a shy and sensitive teenager who becomes a rock star. It was published by harpercollins in october 2012 in both book and e book format, plus an unabridged 15cd audiobook read by townshend. Pete townshend of the who has been writing his autobiography for his entire career, starting with the bands first single i cant explain.
Jul 14, 2017 in his new 500page memoir, pete townshend, quixotic songwriterguitarist for the who, bares his soul. Who i am entered the new york times best seller list at no. Jun 19, 2015 pete townshend personal site pete townshend is an english singersongwriter mainly known as the guitarist for the rock group the who. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The same year, he published a book of short stories, horses neck. As a longtime admirer of pete townshend s songwriting and musicianship, both as part of the who and as a solo artist, i was a bit nervous about reading this book. A signed pete townshend guitar is a rare and unique collectible that will look unbelievable displayed in any home, office or music studio. A memoir by pete townshend in chm, djvu, txt download ebook.
List of books by author pete townshend thriftbooks. We personally assess every book s quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. It was published by harpercollins in october 2012 in both book and ebook. Pete townshend wouldnt be himself without a guitar. His father cliff played the alto saxophone with the raf dance band the squadronaires, and his mother betty dennis sang professionally. Recorded and released in 1971, almost two years after babas death, the. With eloquence, fierce intelligence, and brutal honesty, pete townshend has written a deeply personal book that also stands as a primary source for popular. Nov 03, 2012 the book lacks the fiery eloquence of townshend s windmilling mind, and there is a sad lack of hellyeah enjoyment in his life, as found, for example, in keith richardss indulgent memoir. Every year is the same i feel it again i m a loser, no chance to win leaves start falling come down is calling loneliness starts sinking in but i m one i am one and. One of rock musics most intelligent and literary performers, pete townshend guitarist, songwriter, editortells his closestheld stories about the origins of the preeminent twentiethcentury band the who, his own career as an artist and performer, and his restless life in and out of the public eye in this candid autobiography, who i am. In who i am, townshend brings us from the inner sanctum of eric claptons drugridden hotel rooms to the feet of jimi hendrix and his electric koolaid guitar. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over.
The book lacks the fiery eloquence of townshend s windmilling mind, and there is a sad lack of hellyeah enjoyment in his life, as found, for example, in keith richardss indulgent memoir. As a longtime admirer of pete townshends songwriting and musicianship, both as part of the who and as a solo artist, i was a bit nervous about reading this book. Daughter, emma, is now a recording artist in her own right. But even as the principle songwriter and lead guitarist for the who, it would be unjust to define pete townshends life simply through his achievements. Who i am is a memoir by rock guitarist and composer pete townshend of the who. Most of the rock gods are or were plenty smart, but townshends i. Rolling stone unusually frank and movingwho i am isnt one of those rock memoirs that puts the what before the why.
Pete townshend solo albums whotabs the who tabs guitar. The official site for pete townshend, guitarist and songwriter for the who. Townshend was born on 19 may 1945, in chiswick, west london at the chiswick hospital, netheravon road. Pete townshend has always been rock n rolls reluctant warrior. Pete townshend, the whos guitarist and principal songwriter, was born into a musical family in chiswick, west london, on may 19, 1945. The second of three pete townshend assembled volumes in the meher baba devotional series is the weakest link, perhaps, but that doesnt mean it doesnt provide real points of interest. An autographed pete townshend guitar or microphone is just what you need to complete your memorabilia collection. Except for bob dylan, no 60s rock star is better qualified to write an autobiography than pete townshend. Who i am first edition, first impression by townshend, pete isbn. His father clive was a saxophonist with the squadronaires royal air force dance band. Other albums dedicated to meher baba and featuring townshend include. Pete townshends who i am could be the most conflicted rock memoir of all time townshend is vulnerable and candid in a quest to explore his defects and contradictions. Who i am audible audiobook unabridged pete townshend author, narrator, harpercollins publishers limited publisher 4. Every year is the same i feel it again im a loser, no chance to win leaves start falling come down is calling loneliness starts sinking in but im one i am one and.
Let me say that on finishing who i am, my admiration for pete townshend both as an artist and as a person has only deepened. I was there with my friend larry david smith to interview townshend for smiths book, the minstrels dilemma. Oct 28, 2012 except for bob dylan, no 60s rock star is better qualified to write an autobiography than pete townshend. Pete townshend book describes insane attempt to expose internet child abuse this article is more than 7 years old the who guitarist uses autobiography to explain why he used credit card to. Oct 09, 2012 i first met pete townshend fifteen years ago in a modest london hotel suite. Part of the great strength of the book is based on townsends fortunate habit of keeping journals. Pete townshend book describes insane attempt to expose. Born the month world war ii ended in europe, he grew up among a family of musiciansmost notably his father, cliff townshend, a bandleader who had a minor solo hit in 1956. He has also been running around in literary circles since the early 70s, and most recently penned his autobiography titled who i am.
The second of three pete townshendassembled volumes in the meher baba devotional series is the weakest link, perhaps, but that doesnt mean it doesnt provide real points of interest. Pete townshend released his autobiography who i am in october 2012 through book publisher harpercollins. Tour condition,nearly any tour books got folded and stuck in pocket or stuffed in a purse. With a musical career now encompassing more than five decades as both guitaristprimary songwriter of the who and as a successful solo artist, pete townshend should have plenty of tales to fill a large book or perhaps even a dozen of them. You can also find who i am for ibooks or as an audiobook via itunes. The driving force behind the legendary band the who, townshend. The book chronicles townshends upbringing in london, the formation and evolution of the who, and his struggles with rock stardom and drugs and alcohol. Intensely intimatecandid to the point of selflacerationtownshends tone is less lofty than anyone would have expected, just as this book is more honest than any fan would have hoped. The title is a play on words, referring to the whos hit single, who are you as well as the album of the same name. Then welcome pete townshends emotionally wrought and selfflagellating autobiography.
As part of the white city project, he appeared in an accompanying film, for which he organized a band called pete townshends deep end. Who i am, pete townshends memoir the new york times. Mar 18, 20 the lead guitarist of the who, pete townshend, has written an extraordinary book, who i am. The title is a play on words, referring to the who s hit single, who are you as well as the album of the same name. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. Lewis jones on the selfpitying memoirs of pete townshend, who i am. I am is a collaborative tribute concept album to meher baba featuring pete townshend, michael da costa and others, first released in 1972. As he predicted decades ago, he did wind up with a life worth writing about.
He is one of the greatest musical talents britain has ever produced. Pete townshends who i am could be the most conflicted rock memoir of all time. Pete townshends deep end, recorded live for rockpalast at midem, cannes, france, on 29 jan. The book chronicles townshend s upbringing in london, the formation and evolution of the who, and his struggles with rock stardom and drugs and alcohol. As the creative force driving the who, one of the most explosive and ambitious rock bands in history, guitaristcomposer townshend horses neck, 1985 has shown himself offstage to be an uncommonly articulate and reflective musical celebrity. Pete began writing his memoirs in the 90s, and tested early drafts of some of the chapters in his blog pete townshend who he.
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