Pete Townshend anticipates ten creative years remaining

Pete Townshend, the nearly 80-year-old guitarist of The Who, has opened up about his solo career and upcoming projects. He recently released an 8-CD box set, "Studio Albums," which compiles his creative work outside The Who. Townshend explained that he initially focused on writing for The Who and didn’t consider a solo career until later in the band's history. He finally released his first solo album, "Empty Glass," in 1980. He emphasizes that while the songs in his box set are solo material, many could have fit within The Who's catalog. As he prepares for charity concerts with Roger Daltrey in London, Townshend reflected on his writing process and collaborations. He expressed that he often worked alone, not feeling comfortable with collaboration, preferring to create music in his own time and space. He acknowledges the pressures of balancing a solo career with The Who, which affected his mental health. Townshend shared that he was unhappily overworked during the early years of his solo career but eventually found joy in his music. He also discussed the evolution of his style over the years, noting how he felt disconnected from movements like punk because he was too old to be part of them. In his later work, Townshend has focused on personal growth and expressing complex emotions, leading to songs that resonate deeply with audiences. As he looks to the future, Townshend believes he has about ten years of creativity left. He remains active in music, theatre, and other projects, eager to explore new ideas. He hopes to engage with fans through forthcoming performances and is open to the possibility of a solo tour, where he could play lesser-known solo songs.