The mastermind behind The Who, Pete Townshend was much more than the band’s guitarist. He helped change the course of Rock and Roll, especially with the albums the band released in the 1960s and 1970s. Alongside Keith Moon, John Entwistle and Roger Daltrey, his chemistry with the group produced some of the greatest music ever recorded, influencing millions of musicians around the world.
Having been part of the music business since 1960, Townshend has witnessed many eras of music and guitar playing. Over the decades, he has shared his opinions on many of his peers, including the late legendary Eddie Van Halen.
What is Pete Townshend’s opinion on Eddie Van Halen
Pete Townshend likes Eddie Van Halen’s guitar playing and was always impressed with his talent. When the musician sadly passed away in 2020 at the age of 65, The Who’s leader called him the “Master Teacher and Guide” of the shredding community. “I was once asked by Michael Jackson to play electric guitar on the ‘Thriller’ album. I said I couldn’t do it but recommended Eddie, who called and we chatted. He was utterly charming, happy about the connection, but told me how much he was enjoying playing keyboards. His smile was just classic. A man in his rightful place, so happy to be doing what he did.”
“It’s completely tragic that we have lost him. He was not just an innovative and stylish player with great taste. He was also a laidback virtuoso showman who just blew us all away every time. Every shredder today has lost their Master Teacher and Guide.”
Pete Townshend continued:
“As he got older he became more generous and amusing and self-effacing about his enormous gifts. He shared so many tricks through guitar workshops, online and on TV shows. Immense talent. The Great American Guitar Player. I was hoping he might be President one day,” Pete Townshend said.
A couple of decades before, as mentioned in a Rolling Stone article in 1984, Pete had already praised Eddie’s smile and talent. Townshend said that he forgave him for allowing David Lee Roth to stand in front of him during the shows. “That incredible virtuosity combined with that beautiful grin allows me to forgive him for letting David Lee Roth stand in front of him,” he said.
Eddie Van Halen could play every note of The Who’s “Live at Leeds”
“When I jammed with Eddie and Alex that first time, they played some of their original stuff,” Anthony explains. “They were going through these time changes, and I’m like, ‘Whoa! What a trip!’ “He could play the whole Live at Leeds album, playing it note for note. It was just as good, if not better than Townshend!” Michael Anthony said.
Eddie and Pete Townshend could have recorded something together
Although they had the chance to meet each other a couple of times there was never a collaboration between the two guitar players. But Eddie Van Halen almost invited Townshend to be part of some kind of Van Halen record. After David Lee Roth left the band in the mid-80s, they considered doing an album with many special guests, including guitar players.
“Actually, my plan at the time, I wouldn’t necesarily have called it a solo record because Mike and Al would have played on it, was to get Mike Rutherford (Genesis), Pete Townshend (The Who), Phil Collins, and Joe Cocker, all of whom I had talked to. I had written ‘Right Now’ back then and I wanted Joe Cocker to sing on it. It would have been f*cking great. That’s what I wanted to do, write a record where I did all the music and had a different singer on each song. Logisitically, it would have been a nightmare. People on tour, contractual agreements, companies pissing and moaning and we’d probably only be finishing it now. It would have been fun. Hopefully, in the future I’ll still be able to do that,” Eddie Van Halen told Guitar World in 1996.