Whether it’s a cherished band such as Led Zeppelin or even his bandmates, almost nobody is off limits to Townshend.
Nevertheless, in the mind of Townshend, five iconic figures in the rock world are the real deal and have authenticity seeping out of the pores of their entire body.
During an interview with the New York Times, Townshend made this candid reflection and shared a list of rock stars who have never had to worry about impostor syndrome.
“I’ve always regarded the rock-star phenomenon with immense disdain,” he told the publication. (Farout)
“I’ve had my moments, which have been gloriously recorded and exalted but brief when I’ve felt I’m going to try and do this job. I’m going to try to be a proper rock star. Then I would do it, and it wouldn’t work. I was counterfeit.”
The Who guitarist believes he shouldn’t be mentioned alongside five icons who have only ever created uncompromisingly genuine art, even if it risks alienating fans.
“There are very few people truly authentic to the cause: David Byrne. Mick Jagger. Neil Young. Joni Mitchell. Deborah Harry.”
All of the five choices are unquestionably authentic artists and have never tried to be something they’re not. While they have all had countless artists try to copy their schtick, nobody has ever matched the unique brilliance of the fabulous five.
The decision by Townshend to include Jagger is unsurprising, considering The Who guitarist previously named The Rolling Stones as his favourite band of all time.
When he inducted The Stones into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, Townshend told those in attendance: “I can’t analyse what I feel about the Stones because I am a really absolute Stones fan, always have.”
Reflecting to his youth, he added: “Their early shows were just shocking. Absolutely riveting, stunning, and moving. They changed my life completely. The Beatles were fun, no doubt about that, and I’m talking about their live shows. I’m not demeaning them in any way, but the Stones were really what made me wake up.”
The energy of those early shows by The Rolling Stones remains unmatched for Townshend. Bringing the debate into the 21st century, Townshend explained to the New York Times how rock has evolved over the years, and while it’s no longer the same as it was in his teenage years, he believes it still exists.
He added: “Now, online, you’ll see a throwaway statement – ‘rock is dead’ – which is something that we in our genre have been considering since the ’70s. But what is rock? Rock is hip-hop. Rock is probably Taylor Swift. Rock is, dare I say it, Adele and Ed Sheeran. They’ve dared to take on that mantle, and they have to deliver.”
