- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- May 19, 1945
- Place of Birth
- Chiswick, London, England, UK
Pete Townshend
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…
Filmography
movieBilly Idol Should Be Dead
2026 · Self
movieThe Who: Quadrophenia Super Deluxe Edition
2026
tvLive Aid at 40: When Rock ’n’ Roll Took on the World
2025 · Self
movieThe Rock Prophet: The Story of Link Wray
2025 · Self
movieThe Session Man
2025 · Self
movieThe Who: Who's Next - Life House Super Deluxe Edition
2023
movieHave You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd
2023 · Self
movieThe Who With Orchestra Live At Wembley
2023
movieThe Who Hits 50! Live
2022
movieThe Who: One Band's Explosive Story
2022 · Self - The Who Member
movieHer Majesty
2021 · Executive Producer, Music
movieClassic Albums: The Who Sell Out
2021 · Himself
movieBest of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!
2021 · Self (archive footage)
movieMick Fleetwood and Friends: Celebrate the Music of Peter Green and the Early Years of Fleetwood Mac
2021 · Self
movieThe Hat
2020 · Original Music Composer
The Shadows At Sixty
2020 · Self
movieThe Who: The Night That Changed Rock
2019 · Self
movieThe Night That Changed Rock
2019
movieWoodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation
2019 · Self
movieBad Reputation
2018 · Self
movieCome Together The Rise of the Festival
2018
movieThe Who: Tommy Live at The Royal Albert Hall
2017 · Himself – guitars, vocals
movieThe Who: Rock in Rio 2017
2017 · guitar
movieThe Who: Live at the Isle of Wight 2004 Festival
2017 · Self
movieA Silent Voice: The Movie
2016 · Main Title Theme Composer, Theme Song Performance
moviePete Townshend's Deep End - Face The Face
2016 · Self
movieNight Flight: Born Again
2016 · Self
movieThe Who: Live in Hyde Park
2015 · Himself - guitarist, vocals
movieJean-Michel Jarre: A Journey into Sound
2015 · Self
tvThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015 · Self, Self - Musical Guest
movieIt's Only Rock 'n' Roll: Rock 'n' Roll at the BBC
2015 · Self (archive footage)
movieClassic Quadrophenia
2015 · Self
The Who: French TV Archives 1965-1967
2015
movieLennon or McCartney
2014 · Self
moviePlay It Loud: The Story of Marshall
2014 · Self
movieLed Zeppelin Played Here
2014 · Self (archive footage)
movieWoodstock: Untold Stories Revisited
2014 · Self
movieThe Who: Quadrophenia - Live in London
2014
movieThe Who: Sensation—The Story of Tommy
2014 · Himself
tvThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014 · Self
movieLambert & Stamp
2014 · Himself
movieThe Who: Sensation - The Making of Tommy
2013 · Himself
movieQuadrophenia: Can You See the Real Me?
2013 · Himself
movie12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Relief
2012 · Self
movieLondon 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony: A Symphony of British Music
2012 · Self
movieThe Who: Live in Texas '75
2012 · Himself
movieAcoustic at the BBC
2011 · Self
movieThe Who: Purple Hearts and Power Chords
2011
movieRock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - The Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
2009 · Self
movieWoodstock: Untold Stories
2009
movieRachel Fuller presents: In the Attic with Pete Townshend & Friends
2009 · Self
movieThe Who: Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970
2009 · Himselft
movieThe Who - At Kilburn 1977
2008 · guitar
movieThe Who: Live at the London Coliseum 1969
2008 · Himself - guitars, vocals, Writer
movieSmashing Pumpkins: If All Goes Wrong
2008 · Self
movieVH1 Rock Honors: The Who
2008 · Self
Beat Club: The 40th Anniversary Edition
2008 · Self (archive footage)
movieAmazing Journey: The Story of The Who
2007 · Self
movieThe Who: Stockholm 7/6/2007
2007
movieThe Who: Dublin 6/29/2007
2007
movieThe Who: Cheshire 6/23/2007
2007
movieThe Who: Lisbon 5/16/2007
2007
movieThe Who: Atlantic City 3/9/2007
2007
movieThe Who: Fresno 2/25/2007
2007
movieDear Mr. Fantasy - A Celebration for Jim Capaldi
2007 · Himself
movieThe Who: Fragments Fan Club DVD
2007 · Himself
movieThe Who: Grand Rapids 12/5/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Quadrophenia Live With Special Guests
2006 · Pete Townshend
The Who: Live at Lyon
2006 · Himself (Guitars, Vocals)
movieThe Who: Palm Springs 11/11/2006
2006
movieThe Who: BBC Electric Proms
2006 · Himself
movieThe Who: Baltimore 9/23/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Holmdel 9/21/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Boston 9/16/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Wantagh 9/13/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Philadelphia 9/12/2006
2006
movieAn Ox's Tale: The John Entwistle Story
2006 · Himself
movieThe Who: Zaragoza 7/29/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Madrid 7/27/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Ulm 7/23/2006
2006
movieThe Who: St. Polten 7/22/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Nyon 7/20/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Metz 7/18/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Lyon 7/17/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Monte Carlo 7/15/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Locarno 7/14/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Bonn 7/11/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Glasgow 7/9/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Dublin 7/8/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Liverpool 7/6/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Liverpool 7/5/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Hampshire 7/3/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Werchter 6/30/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Brighton 6/18/2006
2006
movieThe Who: Tommy Live With Special Guests
2006 · Self, Writer
tvVH1 Rock Honors
2006
movieCloud Chaser
2006 · Music
movieThe Passing Show: The Life and Music of Ronnie Lane
2006 · Himself
movieThe Who – Broadcast In Roundhouse Electric Proms 2006
2006
movieThe World's Greatest Gigs
2005
movieThe Who | Tommy and Quadrophenia Live
2005 · Self - Guitar, Vocals
movieThe Britpop Story 'It Really, Really, Really, Could Happen'
2005 · Self (archive footage)
movieLive Aid: 20 Years Ago Today
2005 · Self
movieRemember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
2004 · Self
movieLive Aid
2004
movieOne For The Road: Ronnie Lane Memorial Concert
2004 · Self
movieThe Who: Live in Boston
2004 · Himself
moviePolice Protecting Children - Internet Paedophilia
2004 · Self
movieLimp Bizkit: Behind Blue Eyes
2003 · Music, Original Music Composer
movieMayor of the Sunset Strip
2003 · Self
movieBrian Wilson: On Tour
2003 · Self
movieMonterey Pop - The Outtake Performances
2002
tvCSI: Miami
2002 · Theme Song Performance
moviePete Townshend: Music from Lifehouse
2002 · , Music
movieBeing Mick
2001 · Self
movieThe Who & Special Guests: Live At The Royal Albert Hall
2000 · Self - Lead Guitar / Vocals
The Beatles Revolution
2000 · Self
moviePete Townshend - Letterman Compilation 1985-1999
1999 · self
movieClassic Albums: The Who - Who's Next
1999 · Self
movieThe Who - Who's Next 1971-2023
1999 · Self
movieAmerican Beauty
1999 · Thanks
movieThe Iron Giant
1999 · Executive Producer
Where Are They Now?
1999 · Self
movieListening to You: The Who Live at the Isle of Wight
1998 · Himself
tvBehind the Music
1997 · Self
tvClassic Albums
1997 · Self
movieThe Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus
1996 · Self - Guitar
moviePete Townshend - Live at Fillmore West, April 30th, 1996
1996 · guitar, vocals
movie1996 VH1 Honors
1996
movieA Celebration: The Music of Pete Townshend and The Who
1994 · Self
movieThe Who: Maximum R&B Live
1994 · Himself
movieThe Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb
1993 · Voice
moviePete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict
1993 · Himself
tvLate Show with David Letterman
1993 · Self - Guest
tvThe Simpsons
1989 · Pete Townshend (voice)
movieThe Who | Live, Featuring the Rock Opera Tommy
1989 · Self - Guitars & Vocals / Mr. Walker / Mrs. Walker / Narrator
tvMTV Rockumentary
1989
Na siehste!
1987 · Self
movieJimi Plays Monterey
1987 · Self (archive footage)
movieDogs in Space
1986 · Thanks
moviePete Townshend - South Bank Show Documentary
1985 · self
movieThe Who at Live Aid
1985
movieLive Aid
1985 · Self
movieWhite City
1985 · Pete Fountain, Writer
tvMiami Vice
1984 · Songs
movieThe Who: Live from Toronto
1984
movieThe Who Rocks America 1982
1983 · Himself
movieVideo EP: Pete Townshend
1982
movieAll The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes
1982 · Self, Writer
movieThe Secret Policeman's Other Ball
1982 · Self
movieThe Who: Live at Shea Stadium 1982
1982 · Self
movieConcerts for the People of Kampuchea
1981 · Self
movieThe Secret Policeman's Ball
1979 · Himself
movieQuadrophenia
1979 · Executive Producer, Music Director, Story Consultant
movieThe Who: The Kids Are Alright
1979 · Self
tvThe Kennedy Center Honors
1978 · Self
tvThe BRIT Awards
1977 · Self
tvThe Secret Policeman's Ball
1976 · Self
O Parvardigar
1976 · Music
movieTommy
1975 · Himself, Original Story, Original Concept, Original Music Composer
tvLes Rendez-vous du dimanche
1975 · Self - The Who
tvRockpalast
1974 · Self (guitar vocal)
movieJimi Hendrix
1973 · Self
movieSound of the City: London 1964-73
1973 · Self
tvGreat Performances
1971 · Self
movieDouble Pisces, Scorpio Rising
1970 · Music
movieThe Who – Live At Tanglewood 1970
1970 · Himself
movieWoodstock
1970 · Self - The Who
Heads
1969 · Self
movieMonterey Pop
1968 · Self - The Who
tvOmnibus
1967 · Self
movieThe Lost Paths
1967 · Himself
movieCarousella
1966 · himself
movieSeize millions de jeunes: Mods
1965 · Interviewee
tvTop of the Pops
1964 · Self
movieTHE WHO Live At The Chicago Amphitheater 1979
— · Himself
The Who - Live at the Silverdome
— · Himself
movieThe Who: Vancouver 10/8/2006
—
movieThe Who: Philadelphia 11/25/2006
—
The Story of Quadrophenia
— · Self