When talking about the most influential rock bands of the 20th century which bands cross your head? there are many but one name that will certainly cross our heads is The Who. This band was formed back in 1964 and their music is still rocking the world. They have sold more than 100 million records globally.
Furthermore, Pete Townshend, the co-founder, guitarist, and secondary vocalist of the band is a well-known musician who also happens to be one of the greatest guitarists ever. He along with his band has inspired many other influential music artists.
Townshend had a very successful band career however, he also has more than 100 tracks of his own (solo) apart from the band. Certainly, he is one of the key members of the band because he was not only contributing with his guitar skills but is also the principal songwriter of the band.
He has helped many other music artists to improve with his influence and one of the musicians he helped is a legendary musician and guitarist Jimi Hendrix. However, Townshend really regrets what he did for Hendrix, so what did he do for Hendrix? that’s what we will find out in this article.
Pete Townshend’s regret about Jimi Hendrix
Townshend revealed the first time he met Jimi Hendrix he gave some advice and he really regrets giving advice to Hendrix. But why? and first of all what advice did he give to Hendrix? let’s get right into it. Well, Townshend got nothing but respect for Hendrix but his word of wisdom for Hendrix did nothing but bite him back.
Pete explained that Hendrix once came to their record label with his manager and Hendrix asked him what equipment he should buy so Pete suggested Hendrix buy certain equipment, and after a few weeks when they played together Townshend regretted giving suggestions to Hendrix because he was so amazing.
Talking with Rolling Stone Townshend said, “I met him, of course, because he was on our record label. He’d come to the studio, he came with his manager Chas Chandler. When I’ve seen him in the studio, I thought, ‘Well, this guy might turn out to be okay.”
He also talked to Ultimate Classic Rock Radio and said, “when he first arrived and he asked me what equipment to buy. I told him that I’d been using a mixture of an amplifier called Sound City. Which was a Marshall substitute, with a Marshall, to get this really kind of slabby sound.” He further said, “Then, a couple of weeks later, we did a show with him at the Saville Theatre with him allegedly supporting us, I wish I’d never given him the tip! I was thinking, ‘Oh my God, this guy’s brilliant enough without being a thousand watts loud!”
Well, we have all regretted being too much helpful at some point in life and for Townshend, it was the word of wisdom he shared with Hendrix that haunt him. He did not think much of Hendrix when they first met but the one he gave advice to was someone with pure raw talent and clearly, even when he was supporting them Hendrix dominated them.
He then became one of the greatest music stars worlds had ever seen. However, it is really unfortunate and sad at the same time that this great music artist is not with us anymore. Hendrix died at the very young age of 27 back on September 18, 1970. His music career was so short, only four years but it was enough for the world to recognize the talent of this man. Hendrix died after he choked on his own vomit and postmortem showed that he was intoxicated with barbiturates.
