Pete Townshend was born into a musical family. As a self conscious youth, Pete relied on his music, where as he was not popular with the girls, or the star athlete, to get him through. While in school, he played in various jazz groups with future Who bassist, John Entwistle, who would later be Townshend's ticket into what would soon be the Who.
Townshend was the guitar player and primary composer for the Who, penning classics such as "I Can't Explain" and "My Generation" in the early sixties, summing up the mood of the time and its people. Pete was the only member of the group that was a true mod, although their appearance hinted otherwise.
At the end of the sixties, Townshend, with the help of his bandmates, materialized the legendary rock album Tommy, a full length rock opera, believed to be the first of it's kind. (This proves not to be true later on). The epic album permanently etched the Who into the rock star roster.
In the mid-seventies, Townshend wrote Quadrophenia, a rock opera that utilized the extensive use of synthesizer parts. The concept varied far from the psychedelic hippie phenomenon that was Tommy. Because the Who's audience was expecting another Tommy, they were a little shocked by the very different approach, and Quadrophenia received less praise and success.
Townshend was a stage phenomenon, as is proved in the content of the 1970 live album Live At Leeds. His rhythm is paralleled by none, and his lead is at a hair's follow. His athletic ability on stage was outstanding, with the inclusion of the immortal windmill, which earned Townshend the nickname "Birdman"; the scissor kick; the banter; and various leaps and smashes. Townshend was infamous for smashing up his guitars at the end of a particularly good or bad show.
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