It’s not uncommon for artists to have differing opinions about each other’s work, and Pete Townshend‘s remark about AC/DC‘s albums sounding the same compared to THE WHO could reflect his personal artistic sensibilities and preferences.
During a recent interview with The New York Times, Townshend was asked about his interest in releasing new music with THE WHO. Responding positively, he affirmed: “I do and I think I will. It feels to me like there’s one thing THE WHO can do, and that’s a final tour where we play every territory in the world and then crawl off to die.”
Detailing his occupied schedule with writing, Townshend conceded that he finds little pleasure in performing live with THE WHO.
“I don’t get much of a buzz from performing with THE WHO,” he said. “If I’m really honest, I’ve been touring for the money. My idea of an ordinary lifestyle is pretty elevated.
“I’ve been immensely creative and productive throughout that period, but I haven’t felt the need to put it out. And if I can make it personal, I don’t care whether you like it or not. When White City came out [in 1985] and the sales were so slow, I thought, ‘Screw this’. Nobody wanted me as I was — they wanted the old Pete.”
He then took a cheeky swipe at AC/DC, adding: “AC/DC made 50 albums, but all their albums were the same. It wasn’t the way the Who worked. We were an ideas band.”
