The roar of the crowd, the electrifying energy on stage – for a band on the rise, these are the hallmarks of success. But what happens when the financial rewards don’t match the accolades?
Pete Townshend, guitarist and songwriter for a legendary rock band, recently revealed a shocking truth that shattered this illusion. For the first eight years of their recording career, Townshend alleges their managers were stealing from them.
This wasn’t a minor oversight – it was a systematic betrayal that left the band struggling financially despite their immense popularity. Townshend’s story isn’t just about one band’s misfortune; it exposes a dark side of the music industry, where even the biggest stars can be vulnerable to those entrusted with their careers.
“Our Managers Were Criminals”
Townshend recently sat down with NME, and the conversation turned to the financial realities of recording for established bands. When asked if it made economic sense, Townshend let out a laugh. “It’s never been about the money,” he explained.
This lighthearted response took a sharp turn as Townshend delved deeper. “The Who never made any money from fucking records anyway,” he revealed. The culprit, according to the guitarist, was their own management. “Our managers were criminals,” Townshend stated bluntly.
He recalled a shocking discovery during the recording of their sixth album, Quadrophenia. It was then, through the band’s first ever audit, that the truth came to light. Apparently, their manager, Kit Lambert, had been diverting all of Townshend’s Italian publishing royalties to fund a rather extravagant purchase – a palace in Venice.
Beyond the Money Grab
Townshend’s frustration with exploitative management extends beyond his own experience. He likened these figures to “black swans” in the music industry – rare but always there to scoop up the profits. This sentiment led him to share a telling encounter with Jimi Hendrix shortly before the legendary guitarist’s death in 1970.
Despite his immense fame, Hendrix confided in Townshend that he was broke. This revelation underscored the harsh reality for some musicians, even those reaching the pinnacle of success. However, Townshend emphasizes that financial gain was never a driving force for him.
He describes his contentment with a simple life, focusing on his family, friends, and creativity. Material possessions held little sway. Instead, Townshend finds his true wealth in his health, his relationships, and the opportunity to continue making music and sharing his knowledge with younger generations.
A New Chapter for The Who?
The interview with NME naturally steered towards the possibility of a new Who album. While Townshend expressed doubt, he also revealed a cheeky plan to potentially nudge his bandmate Roger Daltrey, known for his hesitance towards further studio work.
Townshend brimmed with confidence about his songwriting abilities. “If there was a need or a place for a Who album,” he declared, “could I write the songs for it within six weeks? Of course, I fucking could – it’s a piece of cake,” He thrives on the creative process, citing his love for deadlines, briefs, and the feedback loop that comes with collaboration.
With clear satisfaction regarding the reception of their last record, Townshend hinted at a playful strategy. He might just write the songs himself, then present them to Daltrey with a playful ultimatum: “‘Either you sing on them or I’m gonna put them out as a solo album and Who fans will love me for it.’”