The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Pete Townshend (Extended)
Nov 30, 2025
Pete Townshend, the legendary guitarist and songwriter of The Who, shares captivating insights with Stephen Colbert. He reflects on the band's genuine farewell tour and his early days in New York amidst the vibrant hippie scene. The conversation dives into the themes of male loneliness and the timeless relevance of 'Quadrophenia.' Pete reveals the personal roots of 'Tommy,' touching on his challenging childhood. He also teases his treasure trove of unreleased music and his interest in using AI to breathe new life into old tracks.
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Putting Your Bandmate First Restores Bonds
- Pete Townshend describes intentionally putting Roger Daltrey first on the farewell tour to make him happy and rekindle their bond.
- The strategy led to genuine affection, laughter, and hugs between them onstage.
Smashing And Rebuilding Guitars Between Shows
- Pete recalls doing four to five shows a day in 1967, smashing guitars each time and gluing them back together.
- He used powdered glue and became adept at repairing instruments between sets.
Quadrophenia As A Universal Male Struggle
- Townshend frames Quadrophenia as a perennial story about young men struggling to belong.
- He sees the work as addressing male loneliness and the search for identity.