My first exposure to Pete Townshend was back in the late 60s when I heard The Who's I Can See For Miles on the radio. Right from the first chords of the intro, I was hooked. But, my true appreciation of Townshend's talents came with the twin masterpieces of 1969 and 1971: 'Tommy' and 'Who's Next'.
'Tommy', of course, is his famous rock opera, orginally released as a double album of wit, introspection and poignancy. 'Who's Next' is nine tracks of some of the best rock writing ever produced (Baba O'Riley, Won't Get Fooled Again, The Song Is Over, Bargain, etc.).
Townshend is one of a rare (and seemingly dying) breed of player--the rhythm guitarist. He is responsible for taking this art form to its height, and literally invented the 'power chord', a term describing aggressive rhythmic strumming using fat fifths and open strings.
He is perhaps most legendary for his live performances--jumping madly about the stage, 'windmilling' his guitar, and smashing his amplifiers at the end of concerts. One hallmark of the Who's career came at Woodstock, where they stunned a crowd that was unprepared for the sheer power and fury of their performance.
Townshend is also an enigma. His manner is quiet and pensive, but the emotions which erupt in his music are angry and defiant. Both the eclectic nature of rock music and its fierceness and exigency are channelled through him, and ultimately to his fans--a generation to whom he has laid bare the turmoil and tranquility of his life.
