Many artists have penned their life stories, detailing their experiences in the music world. Pete Townshend of The Who is among them, releasing his memoir, ‘Who I Am,’ in 2012. This book offers readers an intimate look into his journey and the iconic days of The Who.
One poignant theme Pete touches upon is the feeling of lagging behind or not measuring up to fellow musicians. He pointedly mentions Sting as someone who, in Pete’s perspective, has never battled self-doubt.
Pete comments on Sting with a mix of admiration and bewilderment: “It may be surprising for many, but the only person I’ve observed who seems devoid of self-doubt is Sting. His unwavering confidence makes it challenging for the rest of us. It’s not just his enormous talent or the beautiful songs he crafts; it’s his unwavering belief in himself. A belief so strong, he could walk away from The Police…”
In an industry where success is quantified by sales and popularity, self-doubt is not uncommon. Pete candidly shares that he, along with notable names like Paul Simon, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Ray Davies, has felt out of place at times. He adds, “These artists, whom I know to varying degrees, might very well resonate with my sentiment of feeling out of sync sometimes.”
While Townshend believes many of these artists might not openly acknowledge such feelings, he doesn’t shy away from it. He concludes with a touch of defiance: “They might choose to keep such thoughts private, but I won’t. After all, the truth is liberating.”
