THE WHO's PETE TOWNSHEND On KEITH MOON And JOHN ENTWISTLE: 'Thank God They're Gone'

Blabbermouth ^ | November 26, 2019 | N/A

[DoodleBob]

THE WHO guitarist Pete Townshend has said in a new interview with Rolling Stone that he doesn't miss the band's late drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle.

"It's not going to make WHO fans very happy, but thank God they're gone," he said. "Because they were...difficult to play with. They never, ever managed to create bands for themselves. I think my musical discipline, my musical efficiency as a rhythm player, held the band together."

Townshend said Entwistle's "bass sound was like a Messiaen organ," with "every note, every harmonic in the sky. When he passed away and I did the first few shows without him, with Pino [Palladino] on bass, he was playing without all that stuff … I said, 'Wow, I have a job.'"

The guitarist was equally brutal in his recollection of Moon, saying: "With Keith, my job was keeping time, because he didn't do that. So when he passed away, it was, like, 'Oh, I don't have to keep time anymore.'"

[DoodleBob]

There is a video of John where he explains and demonstrates the difference between a bassist and what he was - a bass guitarist. The harmonics and overtones were undoubtedly partly a function of his tone (which is all in the fingers, as Andy Timmons aptly demonstrates) but also his rig and volume.

Pete is undoubtedly the greatest rhythm guitarist ever. But he will never be held in the same regard instrumentally as John or Keith (or Roger). Perhaps that's why Pete is so bitter now.

[dfwgator]

Just listen to the drums on “I Can’t Explain”, nobody could do what Moonie did, totally different than anything out there at the time.

[DoodleBob]

There isn’t anything wrong with The Kinks. But they are generally known for Being The Vehicle For the Brothers Davies - The Who were known for having four distinct players and personalities, two of whom were probably the greatest ever on their instruments (Moon and Entwistle).

[Rastus]

The police probably should have been a little more forceful in telling him what a colossally bad idea it was.

[dfwgator]

Pete obviously wasn’t having a good day here...

5:15 (Top of the Pops)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ98WjFfFWM

[a fool in paradise]

2019 songs by the Who:
All This Music Will Fade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpKhGNaiS6c

Ball and Chain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2IN8wYqQ6E

Hero Ground Zero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFgkfiPpDqk

A bit better than the recent rubbish from Sir Paul
Come On To Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeJLrtFY7Ds

Flowers in the Dirt was a good album though (30 years ago).\

[dfwgator]

Ball and Chain I had a big problem about, because it was basically whining about Guantanamo.

[a fool in paradise]

And the Rolling Stones whined about “neo-cons” and it’s a lame song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwj6ZGMF_uA

[dfwgator]

Flowers in the Dirt was a good album though (30 years ago).\

Macca should have kept collaborating with Elvis Costello, they made a good team, "Veronica" is a fantastic song.

[SloppyDrummer]

POW!

[DoodleBob]

I saw Macca on that tour at Madison Square Garden. It was a great show and I thought it was a strong album - We Got Married is an under appreciated tune. Paul’s backing band nowadays is better than that one was. I agree he should have kept working with Elvis, but I suspect they parted ways because Elvis didn’t bow down to him.

[dfwgator]

It is well-documented that during the recording of “Who Are You” that Moonie wasn’t what he once was.

Pete admitted that when he’s onstage he’s possessed and could literally kill someone (see Abbie Hoffman at Woodstock), and so I can see his frustration if the rhythm section isn’t playing the way he wants.

[dfwgator]

Yeah, I’ve learned what a jerk Macca really is. He even pissed off Phil Collins, who never had anything bad to say about anyone, but he made a point of talking about Paul’s arrogance.

[Mr. Mojo]

It’s one thing for Pete to (foolishly) criticize the skills of Ent and Moon.

It’s quite another to say he’s glad they’re dead and gone. What a complete POS.

[Simon Foxx]

“Best comment at the site “How To Destroy Your Entire Reputation In One Interview by Pete Townshend””

Well ... recall his comments about having a certain illegal kind of porn on his computer because he was STUDYING IT - it might give this comment competition ... he somehow escaped prosecution for possession in that case as I recall ...

[MarkL]

Kenny Jones is a terrific drummer, but it was Keith Moon’s manic drumming, working with Daltry’s powerful vocals was something that made The Who’s music unique.

Pino Palodino is one of the best bassists in the business, and has appeared on many hundreds of albums, a sideman extraordinaire. But John Entwistle was a force of nature, with a sound and creativity, mixed with Moon’s drums, sometimes became the lead in the songs.

Townsend IS a creative genius. But what made The Who so special was the meshing of those parts. Lose even one, and the magic is lost. Townsend was NOT The Who.

Thanks,

Mark

[DoodleBob]

I saw Roger on his solo tour in 1994, where he sang Who tunes. John played bass for the second set. Zak was on drums and there was also an orchestra.

It was an awesome show. Yea, sure, Pete was missed, but I gotta tell you...Rog doesn't need Pete to put on a kickazz show.

[llevrok]

I never understood Keth Moon’s drumming other than to say no human could drum that fast with out some external stimulant.

However, John Entwistle’s bass playing was my favorite of the era. He almost played lead guitar on that bass. There have been times I adjusted my equalizer to isolate his playing. It gave The Who a unique sound.

And it was a lot more creative than destroying a perfectly good Tele. That got old fast.