Pete Townshend Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Pete Townshend of The Who has revealed Keir Starmer was the lawyer who challenged him in Townshend’s infamous child pornography case.In 2003, it was discovered that Townshend had paid to view a child pornography site, which prompted a police investigation. The Who star claimed that it was research for a campaign against pedophilia for his memoir, where Townshend believed he may have been sexually abused as a child: “You have to know what’s out there.”Shortly before his memoir was published in 2012, Townshend elaborated on the incident.

Rolling Stone magazine has issued a statement following the recent controversial comments made by its founder Jann Wenner.The founder faced a wave of backlash last week after an interview for his new book titled The Masters saw him conduct discussions with seven “philosophers of rock”, all of whom were white and male.These included Bono, Bob Dylan, the late Jerry Garcia, Mick Jagger, the late John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen and Pete Townshend, and when interviewed by David Marchese of The New York Times, Wenner stated:“Joni [Mitchell] was not a philosopher of rock’n’roll. She didn’t, in my mind, meet that test.

Jann Wenner, who co-founded Rolling Stone magazine and also was a co-founder of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has been removed from the hall’s board of directors after making comments that were seen as disparaging toward Black and female musicians. He apologized within hours.

NEW YORK — Jann Wenner, who founded Rolling Stone magazine and was a co-founder of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has been removed from the hall’s board of directors after making comments that were seen as denigrating Black and female musicians.“Jann Wenner has been removed from the Board of Directors of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation,” the hall said Saturday, a day after Wenner’s comments were published in a New York Times interview.A representative for Wenner, 77, did not immediately respond for a comment.Wenner created a firestorm doing publicity for his new book “The Masters,” which features interviews with musicians Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend and U2’s Bono — all white and male.Asked why he didn’t interview women or Black musicians, Wenner responded: “It’s not that they’re inarticulate, although, go have a deep conversation with Grace Slick or Janis Joplin. Please, be my guest.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music A day after the publication of a New York Times interview in which Rolling Stone magazine founder Jann Wenner said that Black and female musicians “didn’t articulate at the level” of the white musicians featured in his new book of interviews, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced that he has been removed from its board of directors. “Jann Wenner has been removed from the Board of Directors of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation,” a terse statement from a rep reads in full; contacted by Variety, a rep for the Hall had no further comment. Wenner is a co-founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which was launched in 1987, and had served as its chairman until 2020.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic The Who has released boxed sets commemorating many of the albums from the band’s storied discography, but never the coveted one that would celebrate the release that some fans consider the crown jewel of the catalog, “Who’s Next.” That changes Sept. 15 with “Who’s Next/Life House Super Deluxe Edition,” a 10-CD/1-Blu-Ray set that will include 155 tracks, 89 of them previously unreleased, plus spatial audio and surround mixes. The expansive set will hark back to the legendary origins of “Who’s Next,” the band’s follow-up to “Tommy,” as what was originally designed by Pete Townshend as a concept album in its own right, “Life House,” before it shifted gears to become a more traditional, non-narrative rock album.

Nicolas Cage has recalled the first concert he ever attended to see The Who.In a newly aired segment from the April 13 episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Nicolas Cage partook in the “Colbert Questionert” and was asked about the first concert he ever attended.Cage revealed that his first concert was seeing The Who perform at the Fillmore Stadium in San Fransisco, before going on to explain how “blown away” he was by the performance. “Roger [Daltrey] did this incredible thing where he was spinning the microphone with the cable and he just hit the cymbal.

The Who‘s Pete Townshend has released his first solo single in 29 years in the form of ‘Can’t Outrun The Truth’.The track – released today (March 24) for charity – was composed and produced by Townshend’s partner Rachel Fuller under the pseudonym Charlie Pepper. All proceeds of the track’s vinyl sales, and an undisclosed portion of all digital downloads, will go towards the Teenage Cancer Trust.Listen to Pete Townshend’s ‘Can’t Outrun The Truth’ below.Townshend said of the track per a press statement: “The pandemic years were terrible for charities; the Teenage Cancer Trust was created in order to take the money from a series of concerts at the Albert Hall every year and various other things and that had all dropped out.”“So, the idea of doing this, which is it’s something that has sprung out of Lockdown about mental illness, but also for this particular charity.

The Who frontman Roger Daltrey has spoken to NME about the long-awaited Keith Moon biopic, vowing that the film “will be made” despite numerous past setbacks.The project has been in the works since at least 2005, when Mike Myers signed up to portray the late drummer. However, it’s since languished in development limbo and failed to get off the ground.In early 2022, it was reported that the movie would finally begin shooting that summer but that ended up not being the case.

Roger Daltrey has spoken to NME about the upcoming Teenage Cancer Trust shows, as well as The Who‘s “big, bold and sexy” orchestral tour, and whether we’ll hear any new music from the band.The frontman, who is an Honorary Patron of TCT, enlisted the likes of Kasabian, Wet Leg, Courteeners and Underworld for the 2023 edition of the charity’s annual gig series at the Royal Albert Hall in London.To close proceedings, Daltrey will play a solo concert at the historic venue on Sunday March 26. He’ll be joined on the night by special guests Richard Ashcroft and Joan Armatrading.

The Who have announced that they will tour the UK this summer with an orchestra in tow. The shows will see them rework songs from across their oeuvre with a classical backing. Something they reckon is dead edgy and that.

Syd Barrett is to be the subject of a new documentary titled Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett And Pink Floyd.According to Deadline, the upcoming film was co-directed by Roddy Bogawa and the late graphic designer Storm Thorgerson. The latter was the co-founder of Hipgnosis, the London-based firm that specialised in creating album cover art for rock acts.The company made the iconic artwork for Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’ (1973), ‘Wish You Were Here’ (1975) and more.

Tom Wright, whose wide career embraced photography of many rock greats and time spent as a tour manager for The Who and other major acts, has died. He was 78 and details on where and the cause were not immediately available.

It's hard to believe as to what's now become an institution, but Manchester's Hard Rock Cafe first opened in the city more than 20 years ago.

iconic music store at New Broadway was established way back in 1881 so had quite a history. An October 1937 advert in the West Middlesex gazette reads: "Squire of Ealing, the house where service and Satisfaction is Guaranteed. Many of you will be considering the purchase of a new radio receiver or radio gramophone and with this thought comes the ever-perplexing question, what to buy and where to buy it.

Roger Daltrey has two generations of Townshends in his solo band for his rescheduled UK tour dates.The Who frontman has booked both Simon Townshend, the brother of The Who bassist/singer Pete Townshend, and Simon’s son, Ben, to support him on his tour. It kicks off tonight (June 20) at the Bournemouth International Centre.Guitarist and singer Simon has played shows with The Who in the past, while Ben has played on several of Simon’s records as well as albums by The Cornerstones.The news comes as Daltrey embarks on his 12-date UK tour where he’ll play The Who classics and solo songs as well as host some fan Q&As.The remaining line-up for Daltrey’s solo band is as follows: Doug Boyle (guitar); Geraint Watkins (keyboards); John Hogg (bass); Jody Linscott (percussion); Billy Nicholls (backing vocals); Steve ‘West’ Weston (harmonica), and Katie Jacoby (violin).Roger Daltrey UK tour dates 2022 (any remaining tickets available here):JUNE 2022Monday 20: Bournemouth International CentreWednesday 22: Brighton CentreFriday 24 – Oxford New TheatreMonday 27 – Portsmouth GuildhallWednesday 29 – Nottingham Royal Concert HallJULY 2022Friday 01 – Southend Cliffs PavilionMonday 04 – Birmingham Symphony HallWednesday 06 – Glasgow ArmadilloSaturday 09 – Manchester O2 ApolloMonday 11 – Liverpool EmpireWednesday 13 – Newcastle City HallSunday 17 – London PalladiumDaltrey’s summer UK tour dates have been rescheduled from last year.In other news, The Who‘s recent North American tour took them to Cincinnati, Ohio for their first performance in the city for nearly 45 years after an infamous tragedy.The midwest US city was the centre of a tragedy during the band’s tour in December of 1979.

The Who‘s North American tour has taken them to Cincinnati, Ohio, for their first performance in the city for nearly 45 years.The midwest US city was the centre of an infamous tragedy during the band’s tour in December of 1979. A crowd crush that occurred while fans were entering the Riverfront Coliseum left 11 dead and dozens more injured.

The Who’s Pete Townshend has reflected on the death of drummer Keith Moon, saying he “tried everything” to keep him alive.Moon was the drummer for The Who between 1964 and 1978, and died from an overdose of Heminevrin, a drug used to treat and prevent symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. He was 32 years old.“I tried everything,” Townshend told People of his attempts to help his friend. “I tried giving him money, I tried starving him of money.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe Red Hot Chili Peppers paid tribute to late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins at Jazz Fest in New Orleans on Sunday while frontman Dave Grohl, Hawkins’ widow Alison, and other members of the Foo Fighters looked on from the wings, according to reports in nola.com and on social media.Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, a close friend of Hawkins, had “Taylor” spelled out on his bass drum, emblazoned with a hawk silhouette, similar to one on Hawkins’ arm.Foo Fighters were originally scheduled to headline Jazz Fest but canceled all tour dates in the wake of Hawkins’ death on March 25. Grohl’s presence in town sparked unfounded rumors that he might perform.

The Who performed Pete Townshend‘s solo track ‘Let My Love Open The Door’ for the first time in 33 years during a recent show in London.The group played a special concert at the Royal Albert Hall last Friday night (March 25) in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Frontman Roger Daltrey is a patron of the charity and launched the TCT gig series back in 2000.As Stereogum reports, The Who delivered a stripped-back acoustic set that included a sprinkling of deep cuts and rarities from across the band’s catalogue.

CINCINNATI, Ohio (AP) — British rock band The Who will play their first concert in the Cincinnati area in over four decades, after 11 people died in a pre-show stampede in 1979. The Who will take the stage at the TQL Stadium on May 15, WCPO-TV reported Monday.The band’s return was originally planned for April 2020 at the BB&T Arena in Kentucky, but had to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Pete Townshend – best known as the founding guitarist and singer for The Who – seems to be working on a new body of solo material.Over the weekend, Townshend was spotted in the studio with session bassist Guy Pratt (whose portfolio includes work with Pink Floyd, Madonna, The Smiths and more) and drummer Ged Lynch (a longtime collaborator of Peter Gabriel). The former posted a photo of the trio on Twitter, writing: “To say the last couple of days recording has been beyond magical would be an understatement.”To say the last couple of days recording has been beyond magical would be an understatement.

The Who drummer Keith Moon is set to begin shooting this summer, according to reports.Moon was the drummer for The Who between 1964 and 1978 when he died from an overdose of Heminevrin, a drug used to treat and prevent symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.The new film project, which is provisionally called The Real Me after the ‘Quadrophenia’ song, will be executive produced by The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend.According to Variety, Paul Whittington (The Crown) is set to direct, while the script has been penned by British screenwriter Jeff Pope.The production company behind George Harrison: Living in the Material World and Ron Howard’s Beatles documentary Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years is helming the production of the project.It’s still undetermined who will play Moon, although Daltrey has previously said the casting will need to be very specific – and will need to be based on the actor’s eyes.“I’ve got to find a Keith Moon,” the star told BBC 6Music’s Matt Everitt back in 2018. “It’s going to be very, very dependent on the actor and the actor’s eyes.

Manori Ravindran International EditorA long-gestating movie about The Who’s late drummer Keith Moon is finally moving ahead, with plans in place to shoot in Britain this summer, Variety can reveal.The project, which is tentatively titled “The Real Me” (the title of a song on Who album “Quadrophenia”), has Moon’s former band members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend on board as executive producers. The pic is directed by Paul Whittington (“The Crown,” “White House Farm”) with a script from prolific British screenwriter Jeff Pope, who was Oscar-nominated for “Philomena.”Los Angeles-based White Horse Pictures is producing.

EXCLUSIVE: Production is underway on Cardinal Releasing doc biopic ‘Link Wray’ about the influential American musician.

Pete Townshend has moved from his Richmond home of 26 years, leaving behind the home studio but taking with him the console he used for many recordings by The Who.The Richmond Hill residence – once owned by Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood – sold the 18th-century, Grade I listed Georgian house for £15 million in August.“Moving house is never fun,” the musician said on Instagram.

The Who‘s Pete Townshend has shared a touching tribute to The Rolling Stones‘ Charlie Watts, who died yesterday aged 80.Watts’ publicist confirmed the news in a statement last night (August 24), writing that the “beloved” drummer had “passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family.”A cause of death has not yet been made public.Taking to his official Instagram account last night, guitarist Townshend joined many fellow musicians in paying his respects to the

The Who guitarist Pete Townshend has sold his £15 million London home.The Richmond residence, which was constructed on Richmond Hill in 1775, was previously owned by The Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, as well as stage and screen actor John Mills and record industry executive Derek ‘Dick’ Leahy.Townshend purchased the property (which is known as ‘The Wick’) in 1996, and the guitarist has now sold the residence through the independent property consultants Pereds.A property listing for the

The Who‘s Pete Townshend has said he’s reluctant to make a new album with the band, because of the “old fashioned way that [the band] work”.The guitarist’s new comments come after frontman Roger Daltrey said he’s reluctant to make another album with The Who because “there’s no record market any more”.Speaking to Guitar Player magazine (via Contact Music), Townshend said: “As far as a new record, it does take quite a lot of time to put together the 20 or 30 songs that are needed for both Roger

Pete Townshend has said that he thinks he used to be pansexual.The Who guitarist and singer has revealed that at one point in his life he would have been involved sexually with anybody, regardless of their biological sex, gender or gender identity.Townshend was quoted by The Daily Star newspaper’s Wired column as saying: “With ‘I’m A Boy’ [1966 single] it’s the idea of masculinity and the way that men are seen to be at a time when I often forget, to be homosexual, to be pansexual, as I think I