Pete Townshend: "I wish, I'd never joined a band"

[Niels (Mod)]

The Who's Pete Townshend has declared that he wishes he had never joined a band.

The guitarist was speaking in the new one-off magazine The Who: The Ultimate Music Guide, made by the makers of Uncut.

Townshend said that he thinks that despite the band's legacy he thinks he'd have done even better as a solo performer. He also said would be in better health now if he'd gone down that route.

"What would I have done differently? I would never have joined a band," he said. "Even though I am quite a good gang member and a good trooper on the road, I am bad at creative collaboration."

He added: I would have made a much more effective solo performer and producer working the way Brian Eno has worked. I would be less physically damaged today.

"My ears, right wrist and shoulder would work more efficiently. In all other respects I am in extremely good shape."

[Niels (Mod)]

Yeah right! He would have done even better as a solo performer? Not a chance.

[Scott]

Isnt The Who pretty much a Pete Townsend solo project anyway?  I mean beside the obligatory 1 track Entwhistle got to record, the rest are his...  Sounds a bit like Steve Perry saying he never felt welcome in Journey even though he ran that show too!!!!

[Niels (Mod)]

You are right. The WHO was kind of a Pete Townshend-solo project, just Mike Van Halen was (are?) Eddie's solo-project.

[Niels (Mod)]

Not Mike, but Like. Danm IPhone!

[RJhog (Admin)]

Mike Van Halen is the lost-step brother.  He plays tamborine.   

[RJhog (Admin)]

That's rock stars for ya. 

[Jon]

You know what's weird though, coming fom him, it doesn't sound like he's being an ass.

[TageRyche]

Pete should retract that statement.

If he hadn't joined "a band", he never would've gotten out of those charges he was facing a few years back.