In the newly-opened Townshend Studio in the University of West London in Ealing, the room is the brainchild of the 80-year-old alumnus, who has permanently loaned his synth collection to the university.
The idea, he says, is to share and “demystify” the origin story of electronic music with UWL students, to let them use the vintage machines (they all work), make a noise, experiment and – crucially – have fun. “The idea of ‘play’ with some of these instruments is really important. Students can come in and they can play with them,” Townshend says. The studio will also be open to the public for tours.
The Acton resident joined Ealing Art College – as UWL then was – in 1961 aged 16. After a couple of lessons learning “how to hold a pencil”, the teenage Townshend met teacher Roy Ascott and his life changed. Ascott’s teachings formed a bridge to Townshend’s musical career.
Ascott “anticipated the data revolution and the way that computers would change art and the way artists communicated with their audiences,” says Townshend. (The theory of auto-destructive art by another mentor, German artist Gustav Metzger, inspired Townshend to smash his guitars at the end of every show.)
Townshend is therefore aghast at the nationwide decline in arts education. The number of people studying arts subjects for A-level has declined 29 per cent since 2010, according to Campaign For The Arts. Government funding is falling and art schools are closing.
“If there’s a drum to bang, it’s more critical now than it’s ever been in my lifetime: it’s the lack of subsidies for the arts [and] the lack of recognition of the value of the arts,” he says. The creative industries contributed £126 billion to the economy in 2022 but the government’s Covid rescue package for the arts, for example, earmarked just £1.5 billion for the sector. “I think it’s just nonsense,” Townshend says. Art colleges are crucibles of creativity; Ronnie Wood and Freddie Mercury were also Ealing students.
Townshend can’t stand the idea that people are being told that arts don’t matter. “Who the f*** has the right to say that? Unfortunately [the government] hold the purse strings. So music is being undercut in normal schools [as is] dancing, writing, painting, poetry, everything. We’re in a crisis and I understand that we haven’t got any money but, you know, they should first fix the potholes then they can open some more universities,” he says witheringly.
(James Hall/ Evening Standard)
Pete Twonshend on making a new album: "I'm 80, should'nt I slow down?" We have a bit of a river to cross. It might be difficult to land on something that we both share an interest in"
Pete Townshend has been discussing the likelihood of The Who making another album – and he seems the more enthusiastic between him and Roger Daltrey. "There’s this sense that we’re in the last tour period of our career. Are we just hoping to do what Bob Dylan does and just keep going?"
Recently Bob Dylan, 83, Sends Hilarious 80th Birthday Message to Pete Townshend.
Dylan took to X to wish his fellow Grammy winner a happy birthday on Monday, May 19, writing,
"Happy birthday Pete. Who's the new boss? Is he like the old boss? Have you met him yet? Say hello to Roger." As fans the world over know, Dylan's message was a witty reference to the iconic Who song "Won't Get Fooled Again" - written by Townshend - which features Roger Daltrey singing the lyrics, "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss." Happy birthday Pete. Who's the new boss? Is he like the old boss? Have you met him yet? Say hello to Roger. —
"I cash in on my past! I live off it. If I tour with Roger I make a bit of money, but I don’t do it because I love it, I do it because it keeps interest in the past. It leads us to a new audience sometimes.
“The album side of it… Roger’s not keen,” he says. “But I would love to do another album and I may try to bully him on that.”
"But, in other hand, what the record company wanted from me, was a new dedicated solo album, and I think I was out of contract, right? I think my last album with Warner Brothers was Ironman, and then I was out of contract. And Ironman was a flop…"
"So I'm planning to adapt his 2019 novel The Age of Anxiety into a rock opera.
“We’re pushing the age envelope as far as it can possibly go. Roger and I know what we’re doing”
Speaking with The Sun, Townshend revealed he’s now revisited The Age of Anxiety for two upcoming projects and provided a timeline of a possible release date. “I am still developing the score and recording the music. I am also working on a documentary about the project, from its inception in 2007 until today,” he noted.
