Pete Townshend latest comments on the Beatles

[mentholiptus]

I dont think you guys are getting what hes saying...its not a diss...hes saying that they broke up just as they were entering their mature, 'grown up' phase. In other words, we didnt get a chance to see them (or hear them, rather) follow through on that phase. Thats why he says that they stopped making music just as they started to put out their best work. I would happen to agree with him. Based on the trajectory of their last 4 albums I would say they were still getting better and better and we were nowhere near seeing their career arcs come downward yet. He mentions their solo work but acknowledges that it is not the same thing.

I had to read it a second time to get it because I initially thought he was taking a shot at them, but he isnt...no need to kill Townshend.

BTW, TEN DAYS LEFT, folks

This was how I read it as well. I see it as a wonderful thing though. They stepped off the world stage at the top of their game, and I think that's the very reason we still celebrate them the way we do today. Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to have seen and heard what could have been, but as it is, everything they did as "The Beatles" was/is top shelf material.

Too many bands wind up mocking themselves as time goes on. It's a sad thing to watch.

Only thing that bothers me is the abbey road/let it be mix up. With "Let it Be" being recorded before "Abbey Road", but being released after "Abbey Road" sort of ruins "The End" actually being the end. That was pretty cool on their part.

[Mickey Buns]

I don't quite understand why everyone is so offended by this. It sounds like a genuine compliment to me.

Yes

[Rod_Stixx]

Despite how Pete put the first part, I think he meant it as a compliment overall, and probably didn't intend to slight the Beatles. I won't spend my day shaking my head at Pete all day in any case.

[bubble-t]

If you spend more than 5 seconds thinking about that quote you need to find a hobby.

[whofan]

And Pete Townshend grew up?!? He's possibly the most immature 64 year old I have ever seen...

Based on what exactly?

His incredible social-concious?
His incredibly mature themes and lyrics?

Tell me how exactly he is immature

[jwebb1970]

I do think he has a point. The Beatles never got to ruin their legacy. They went out on top and stayed out. Once Lennon died their already (deserved) legendary status went to godlike. Coming back again and again for reunion tours of diminshing quality have made bands, including the Who, seem less legendary. I think he was commenting on that.

Although, if Paul & John had decided to cash in on Lorne Michael's plea to reunite the Beatles on SNL back in the 70s....would that have not been sweet?

[whofan]

This x1000. I bet if the Who weren't so prominently featured in Rock Band, people wouldn't be overrating them so much. They're a good band, but not nearly as good as the Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, or even CCR



I disagree, Quadrophenia not only isn't anywhere near as good as anything the Beatles ever did, it's pretty far down the list of Who albums for me. Way too overblown and exaggerated to have any emotional resonance whatsoever.

I'm close to putting you ignore for that completely ignorant statement.

The Who are the most significant band of the last 40 years or so, behind only The Beatles and ahead slightly of The Rolling Stones. If you can't see that, then you need some real musical education.

I also think that you are dead wrong about their only recognition being in Rock Band. The Who have influenced most artists out there today, and everyone knows at least one song by them. So, please, please, stop the ignorant statements.

CCR isn't even anywhere near the same league of influence and innovation as The Who.

And to those who think The Who diminished their legacy by carrying on. If you had asked me that back in 1989, there's no doubt I would have said most certainly. However, their reunions since 1997 (none of which have been billed as "Last Tour Ever" (unlike The Rolling Stones, whose tours since 1982 have been billed as their last)) have done nothing but restore the faith of their fans. Fantastic performances with a tonne of energy and passion have re-affirmed their place in live history (again, unlike The Stones, who have really turned themselves into carrictatures of themselves by now)

[towser]

Hahahaha, Quadrophenia is worse than anything the Beatles recorded!!!
Hahahahah, The Who's music is immature compared to The Beatles!!!
Hahahahahah, The Beatles music "sounds" simpler than it really is!!!!!
Hahahahahaha, The Who is overrated coming from a Beatles fan!!!!

This is the funniest thread in a while, thank you for the great comedy! I mean you didn't have to display all that ignorance just for our amusement's sake but you did, thank you very much! I guess you don't really love music if there's only place in your heart for one band heh!

To all the Beatles fans that "get it" and didn't read whatever threat the others saw in that quote, I salute you!

[Pezell04x]

why should we care what he thinks?

[cherokeesam]

Pete's comment was a direct compliment to The Beatles.
Anybody who didn't understand that is an idiot.
And anybody who posted disparaging comments about Pete and The Who in this thread are so musically ignorant that it's funny.