
Biography
Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend (born 19 May 1945) is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career. His career with The Who spans more than forty years, during which time the band grew to be considered one of the most influential bands of the 60s and 70s, and, according to Eddie Vedder, "possibly the greatest live band ever." Townshend is the primary songwriter for The Who, having written well over one hundred songs for the band's eleven studio albums, including concept albums and the rock operas Tommy and Quadrophenia, plus popular rock and roll radio staples like Who's Next, and dozens more that appeared as non-album singles, bonus tracks on reissues, and tracks on rarities compilations like Odds & Sods. He has also written over one hundred songs that have appeared on his solo albums, as well as radio jingles and television theme songs. Although known primarily as a guitarist, he also plays other instruments such as keyboards, banjo, accordion, synthesiser, bass guitar and drums, on his own solo albums, several Who albums, and as a guest contributor to a wide array of other artists' recordings. Townshend has never had formal lessons in any of the instruments he plays. Townshend has also been a contributor and author of newspaper and magazine articles, book reviews, essays, books, and scripts, as well as collaborating as a lyricist (and composer) for many other musical acts. Townshend was ranked #3 in Dave Marsh's list of Best Guitarists in The New Book of Rock Lists, #10 in Gibson.com's list of the top fifty guitarists, and #50 in Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 list: 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Townshend was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Who in 1990. Description above from the Wikipedia article Pete Townshend, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia
Acted in 83
2020s
- 2026
The Who: Quadrophenia Super Deluxe Edition
Movie
- 2023
The Who: Who's Next - Life House Super Deluxe Edition
Movie
The Who With Orchestra Live At Wembley
Movie
- 2022
The Who Hits 50! Live
Movie
2010s
- 2019
The Night That Changed Rock
Movie
- 2018
Come Together The Rise of the Festival
Movie
- 2017
The Who: Rock in Rio 2017
guitar
- 2014
The Who: Quadrophenia - Live in London
Movie
- 2013
12-12-12
Movie
- 2011
The Who: Purple Hearts and Power Chords
Movie
2000s
- 2009
Woodstock: Untold Stories
Movie
The Who: Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970
Himselft
- 2008
The Who: At Kilburn 1977
guitar
- 2007
The Who: Stockholm 7/6/2007
Movie
The Who: Dublin 6/29/2007
Movie
The Who: Cheshire 6/23/2007
Movie
The Who: Lisbon 5/16/2007
Movie
The Who: Atlantic City 3/9/2007
Movie
The Who: Fresno 2/25/2007
Movie
- 2006
The Who: Columbus 12/11/2006
Movie
The Who: St. Paul 12/8/2006
Movie
The Who: Omaha 12/7/2006
Movie
The Who: Grand Rapids 12/5/2006
Movie
The Who: Quadrophenia Live With Special Guests
Pete Townshend
The Who: Uncasville 12/1/2006
Movie
The Who: Bridgeport 11/28/2006
Movie
The Who: Hershey 11/27/2006
Movie
The Who: Philadelphia 11/25/2006
Movie
The Who: Fort Lauderdale 11/20/2006
Movie
The Who: Houston 11/18/2006
Movie
The Who: Dallas 11/17/2006
Movie
The Who: Salt Lake City 11/13/2006
Movie
The Who: Palm Springs 11/11/2006
Movie
The Who: Las Vegas 11/10/2006
Movie
The Who: San Jose 11/8/2006
Movie
The Who: Hollywood 11/5/2006
Movie
The Who: Seattle 10/11/2006
Movie
The Who: Portland 10/10/2006
Movie
The Who: Winnipeg 10/3/2006
Movie
The Who: London 9/30/2006
Movie
The Who: Des Moines 9/26/2006
Movie
The Who: Baltimore 9/23/2006
Movie
The Who: Holmdel 9/21/2006
Movie
The Who: Boston 9/16/2006
Movie
The Who: Wantagh 9/13/2006
Movie
The Who: Philadelphia 9/12/2006
Movie
The Who: Zaragoza 7/29/2006
Movie
The Who: Madrid 7/27/2006
Movie
The Who: Ulm 7/23/2006
Movie
The Who: St. Polten 7/22/2006
Movie
The Who: Nyon 7/20/2006
Movie
The Who: Metz 7/18/2006
Movie
The Who: Lyon 7/17/2006
Movie
The Who: Monte Carlo 7/15/2006
Movie
The Who: Locarno 7/14/2006
Movie
The Who: Bonn 7/11/2006
Movie
The Who: Glasgow 7/9/2006
Movie
The Who: Dublin 7/8/2006
Movie
The Who: Liverpool 7/6/2006
Movie
The Who: Liverpool 7/5/2006
Movie
The Who: Hampshire 7/3/2006
Movie
The Who: Werchter 6/30/2006
Movie
The Who: Brighton 6/18/2006
Movie
VH1 Rock Honors
TV
The Who – Broadcast In Roundhouse Electric Proms 2006
Movie
- 2005
The World's Greatest Gigs
Movie
- 2004
Live Aid
Movie
- 2002
Monterey Pop - The Outtake Performances
The Who
Pete Townshend: Music from Lifehouse
Movie
1990s
- 1996
Pete Townshend - Live at Fillmore West, April 30th, 1996
guitar, vocals
1996 VH1 Honors
Movie
- 1993
The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb
Voice
- 1992
1980s
- 1989
MTV Rockumentary
TV
- 1985
The Who at Live Aid
Movie
White City
Pete Fountain
- 1984
The Who: Live from Toronto
Movie
- 1982
Video EP: Pete Townshend
Movie
1960s
- 1965
Seize millions de jeunes: Mods
Interviewee
No release date
The Who: Vancouver 10/8/2006
Movie
Sound 10
2020s
- 2021
Her Majesty
Music
- 2020
The Hat
Original Music Composer
2000s
- 2006
Cloud Chaser
Music
- 2002
Pete Townshend: Music from Lifehouse
Music
1980s
- 1984
1970s
- 1979
- 1975
- 1970
Double Pisces, Scorpio Rising
Music
Wrote 6
2000s
- 2008
The Who: Live at the London Coliseum 1969
Writer
- 2006
The Who: Tommy Live With Special Guests
Writer
1980s
- 1985
White City
Writer
- 1982
All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes
Writer
1970s
- 1979
- 1975
Produced 3
2020s
- 2021
Her Majesty
Executive Producer
1990s
- 1999
1970s
- 1979
Appearances102
2020s
- 2026
The Who - Live at the Silverdome
Himself
Pete Townshend: Behind Blue Eyes
Self
- 2025
The Rock Prophet: The Story of Link Wray
Self
Townshend
Self
- 2023
Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd
Self
- 2022
The Who: One Band's Explosive Story
Self - The Who Member
- 2021
Classic Albums: The Who Sell Out
Himself
Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!
Self (archive footage)
Mick Fleetwood and Friends: Celebrate the Music of Peter Green and the Early Years of Fleetwood Mac
Self
2010s
- 2019
The Who: The Night That Changed Rock
Self
Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation
Self
- 2018
Bad Reputation
Self
- 2017
The Who: Live at the Isle of Wight 2004 Festival
Self
- 2016
Pete Townshend's Deep End - Face The Face
Self
Night Flight: Born Again
Self
- 2015
The Who: Live in Hyde Park
Himself - guitarist, vocals
Jean-Michel Jarre: A Journey into Sound
Self
It's Only Rock 'n' Roll: Rock 'n' Roll at the BBC
Self (archive footage)
Classic Quadrophenia
Self
- 2014
Lennon or McCartney
Self
Play It Loud: The Story of Marshall
Self
Led Zeppelin Played Here
Self (archive footage)
Woodstock: Untold Stories Revisited
Self
The Who: Sensation—The Story of Tommy
Himself
Lambert & Stamp
Himself
- 2013
The Who: Sensation - The Making of Tommy
Himself
Quadrophenia: Can You See the Real Me?
Himself
- 2012
12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Relief
Self
London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony: A Symphony of British Music
Self
The Who: Live in Texas '75
Himself
- 2011
Acoustic at the BBC
Self
2000s
- 2009
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - The Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Self
Rachel Fuller presents: In the Attic with Pete Townshend & Friends
Self
- 2008
The Who: Live at the London Coliseum 1969
Himself - guitars, vocals
Smashing Pumpkins: If All Goes Wrong
Self
VH1 Rock Honors: The Who
Self
- 2007
Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who
Self
Dear Mr. Fantasy - A Celebration for Jim Capaldi
Himself
The Who: Fragments Fan Club DVD
Himself
- 2006
The Who: BBC Electric Proms
Himself
The Who: In Their Own Words
Himself
An Ox's Tale: The John Entwistle Story
Himself
The Who: Tommy Live With Special Guests
Self
The Passing Show: The Life and Music of Ronnie Lane
Himself
- 2005
The Who | Tommy and Quadrophenia Live
Self - Guitar, Vocals
The Britpop Story 'It Really, Really, Really, Could Happen'
Self (archive footage)
Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today
Self
- 2004
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
Self
One For The Road: Ronnie Lane Memorial Concert
Self
The Who: Live in Boston
Himself
Police Protecting Children - Internet Paedophilia
Self
- 2003
Mayor of the Sunset Strip
Self
Brian Wilson: On Tour
Self
- 2001
The Concert for New York City
Self-The Who
- 2000
The Who & Special Guests: Live At The Royal Albert Hall
Self - Lead Guitar / Vocals
1990s
- 1999
Pete Townshend - Letterman Compilation 1985-1999
self
Classic Albums: The Who - Who's Next
Self
The Who - Who's Next 1971-2023
Self
- 1998
Listening to You: The Who Live at the Isle of Wight
Himself
- 1997
- 1996
The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus
Self - Guitar
- 1994
A Celebration: The Music of Pete Townshend and The Who
Self
The Who: Maximum R&B Live
Himself
- 1993
Pete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict
Himself
1980s
- 1989
The Who | Live, Featuring the Rock Opera Tommy
Self - Guitars & Vocals / Mr. Walker / Mrs. Walker / Narrator
- 1987
- 1985
Pete Townshend - South Bank Show Documentary
self
Live Aid
Self
- 1983
The Who Rocks America 1982
Himself
- 1982
All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes
Self
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Self
The Who: Live at Shea Stadium 1982
Self
- 1981
Concerts for the People of Kampuchea
Self
1970s
- 1979
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Himself
The Who: The Kids Are Alright
Self
- 1978
- 1977
- 1976
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Self · 15 episodes
- 1975
- 1974
- 1973
Jimi Hendrix
Self
Sound of the City: London 1964-73
Self
- 1971
- 1970
The Who – Live At Tanglewood 1970
Himself
Woodstock
Self - The Who
1960s
- 1968
- 1967
The Lost Paths
Himself
- 1966
Carousella
himself
- 1964
Seize millions de jeunes
Self · 1 episode
No release date
THE WHO Live At The Chicago Amphitheater 1979
Himself
Thanked in the credits2
1990s
- 1999
1980s
- 1986
Dogs in Space
Thanks