Rockin' droll

Outspoken, arrogant and wry as ever, Pete Townshend, the one-man Who’s who, lays down his thoughts like his guitar strokes: loud and clear.

By Sean Daly | Times Pop Music Critic

“We stay sane by counting our money.”

This is Pete Townshend, cheeky Who rapscallion, always in your face, often in your wallet.

“I was trained to see the show business future. If I told you what was going to happen, you wouldn’t be able to process it.”

This is Pete Townshend, one part rock ’n’ roll visionary, two parts mad as a bleepin’ hatter.

“Young musicians often complain to me that I didn’t leave many new ways of standing with a guitar for them to discover for themselves…. Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Elvis took one position each and left the remaining five thousand to me.”

And yes, this is Pete Townshend, in advance of the Who’s stop Tuesday in Tampa, e-mailing with an arrogance rarely heard since John Lennon compared the Fab Four to the Son of God.

» See TOWNSHEND, 3E