Posted on 11/13/2021 6:18:20 PM PST by DoodleBob
The Who’s Roger Daltrey has accused Jimi Hendrix of “completely stealing” Pete Townshend’s stage act, and having enjoyed a ringside seat when two of the greatest players ever to pick up the electric guitar were making their bones, he would be in a position to know.
Daltrey was sitting down with The Coda Collection for a career-spanning interview, when he made the claim – in good humour, it has to be said – but he offered an almighty caveat: that neither invented firebrand guitar hero stagecraft. That honour goes to the blues great Buddy Guy, whom Daltrey not only considers the pioneer of guitar showmanship, but the greatest male blues singer of all time.
“I’ve always stuck up for Pete,” said Daltrey. “Jimi stole Pete's stage act completely, which incidentally, I think he did. But there again, I’m sure Jimi had seen Buddy Guy previously, as I am sure Pete had seen Buddy Guy, and embellished it.”
On Guy, Daltrey was fulsome in his praise. He is peerless. “You watch Buddy Guy in the early days,” he said. “You have to really look for the inventor of all that stuff. It was probably Buddy Guy… I take my hat off to Buddy Guy and he deserves the accolade and I just love him.”
Daltrey discussed a number of issues, proclaiming himself “the number one hater of the internet,” talking about how he often felt belittled as a singer, and opened up about the heated arguments he had with the band when their use of amphetamines affected their performance.
“For them to take it before a show was a complete no-no because here was this brilliant band of musicians,” said Daltrey. “Townshend was an absolute original on the guitar. Entwistle was an original on the bass. What can you say more about Moon [than] being totally original?
“When they got on the amphetamines, the music just turned to a load of crap. The songs were too fast. When rock gets too fast, it’s not rooted. The band thinks it’s good because they’re all, ‘Oh yeah, we'll speed it up.’ But when you listen back to it you go, ‘Yeah, but it’s come off the ground. It’s not slamming to the floor.’ That’s what was happening.”
Daltrey also admitted being envious of Robert Plant, whom he said had some “time to relax” during Led Zeppelin compositions, and weighing on Paul McCartney’s disparaging assessment of the Rolling Stones, he said “it’s like comparing cheese with apples.”
“They’re both very tasty, but the cheese does one thing and the apple does another,” said Daltrey. ‘I’ve always thought that you cannot take away the fact that Mick Jagger is still the number one rock and roll show. The only other people I'd put up against him would be perhaps James Brown, maybe Jerry Lee in his day, or Little Richard, but Mick Jagger, you’ve got to take your hat off to. He’s the number one rock and roll performer.”
Head over to The Coda Collection to watch Daltrey’s interview in full.
For comparision...here is Buddy Guy:
Jimi Hendrix:
Pete Townshend:
I'd say Rog is right.
But Moonie was one-of-a-kind.
LOL name one thing that isnt an appropriation of some kind.
Ahh the Isle of Wight show, greatest live performance ever.
America.
Doesn’t bother me one wit that either Jimi or Rodger stole Buddy Guy’s moves. Both of them, Jimi and Rodger, were instrumental to our music today.
I am very partial to Jimi Hendrix. My range of music goes from classical to blues, and Jimi is in there somewhere.’
It is a Question of venue.
If the Trial against the estate is in Seattle, or Renton as it may be......
Saw Buddy many times.
In their prime, nobody was better than The Who live. They put the Stones and Zeppelin to shame in terms of live performances.
I will say that Jimi’s improvision of music was top knotch, ie the National Anthem. Compared to roger Daltrey he was a master.
And Lefties don’t want to hear it, but Jimi hated Commies.
Sorry, Pete Townsend. I correct myself.
‘“When they got on the amphetamines, the music just turned to a load of crap.’
Makes great sense. I’ve been around a few times.
Absolutely flipping brilliant.
He’s on my bucket list. But he’s getting up there.
Jimi was a good ole boy of Americana. A soldier. He was worthy, IMO.
I really think we are comparing apples to oranges here. There was a different vibe with each musician/band.
That’s a very acceptable pick, they are complete savages at that show. I know I like Isle of Wight better than Leeds.
Freegards
No other guitarist changed the direction of the guitar like Hendrix.
He created a whole new sound emanating from an amplifier that is still an influence on guitar players today.
When Hendrix played you heard colors for the first time...
They never sold as many albums as Zeppelin, or had the drama of the Stones, but they could blow both of them off the stage.
Townshend's induction of the Stones into the Rock Hall is a masterpiece. THAT is how you do it...some adulation, some roasting, some barbs, but ultimately love and respect.
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