What is Ritchie Blackmore’s opinion on The Who

One of the most influential guitarists of all time, Ritchie Blackmore changed the course of Hard Rock music, first being a crucial member of Deep Purple and then forming his own band Rainbow. He was heavily influenced especially by bands from the 60s during his early years and he talked about many of them over the decades.

One was The Who, which was originally formed by Pete Townshend (Guitar and main songwriter), Roger Daltrey (Vocals), Keith Moon (Drums) and John Entwistle (Bass).

What is Ritchie Blackmore’s opinion on The Who

Blackmore is known for being quite sincere and he always praised The Who, saying that they even were an inspiration when he was beginning his musical career. He recalled that in an interview with Newsweek back in 2017.

“When they did “Can’t Explain” that was an eye-opener. When I heard “My Generation,” with that feedback, I thought it was wonderful. A guitarist would do a solo and have a feedback part. Whereas I used to do sessions, and heaven forbid, if I came up with any feedback, I was thrown out of the studio. I knew [drummer] Keith Moon a little bit. I always liked his antics. Very, very funny, great man he was. He would make me cry laughing all the time,” Ritchie Blackmore said.

Ritchie Blackmore believed Pete Townshend was overrated in the 70s

Although he was influenced by Townshend’s use of feedback and by The Who songs, Blackmore wasn’t a big fan of the musician. He said that in an interview with Martin K. Webb back in 1973, calling Townhsend overrated. He agreed with the interviewer saying that The Who’s guitarist was the first one to use feedback. But he also said that he wasn’t a good guitarist although he thinks he was good “at his chord scene”.

“Pete Townshend was definitely the first (To use feedback). But not being that good a guitarist, he used to just sort of crash chords and let the guitar feedback. He didn’t get into twiddling with the dials on the amplifier until much later.

Blackmore continued:

“He’s overrated in England. But at the same time you find a lot of people like Jeff Beck and Hendrix getting credit for things he started. Townshend was the first to break his guitar. He was the first to do a lot of things. He’s very good at his chord scene too,” Ritchie Blackmore said.

During the same interview he said that he didn’t like seeing Townshend “leap” around the stage. He said that he admired some musicians who knew how to move on stage, like the band Free, but criticized The Who. He said: “Not like Pete Townshend who’s gotten to the point that he waits until the photographers are well-aimed before he leaps. He’s not very spontaneous,” Ritchie Blackmore said.

Townshend already said that he doesn’t consider himself as a lead guitarist. Also that he would never try to be part of a guitar battle with names like Blackmore, for example. Because they have very different styles.