The Who’s Pete Townshend Discusses Downside of Touring and Being Hypnotized as a Child

Helping form The Who, Pete Townshend spent over six decades performing on stages all over the world. And during that time, he also helped write over 100 songs for the band. With each passing year, Townshend not only watched the group’s stardom expand but also learned the ins and outs of the music industry. Recently, The Who prepared for their North America farewell tour. Speaking about the historic moment, Townshend revealed why he cared little for touring and how a dentist hypnotized him. 

Before jumping into the world of hypnotizing, Townshend discussed The Song Is Over tour that will take The Who to venues in the United States and Canada over the summer. At 79 years old, the musician was brutally honest when talking about life on the road. “Being on the road is not a great way to live. You leave your family behind and so on and so forth.” While getting older, Townshend sought to spend more time with his family than traveling from city to city on a daily basis. 

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Pete Townshend Received Some Help From A Hypnotizing Dentist

Although not a fan of the road, Townshend insisted that once he got on the stage, he felt right at home. And apparently, it all started as a kid. “I’m not crazy about touring. I’ve never really been crazy about touring – but performing, once I’m on stage, [that’s different]. I was hypnotised once as a little boy by my dentist, who was very much into hypnotism, so whenever I walked on stage, I would do my best.”

While Townshend didn’t know his future would include a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he once thought about being an artist. “I thought I was going to be an artist. I was at art college, that’s what happens.” He continued, “I get on the stage, I remember that post-hypnotic suggestion, and I do my best. That’s how it works for me. I find it easy; it’s always been easy.”

Wanting to end the band’s legacy on their own terms, singer Roger Daltrey interjected, explaining, “It’s got to come to an end one day. It’s great to do it while I can still sing the songs, Pete can still play guitar, and we can still play the songs with vitality. There’s something about the way the music was written and the sentiment behind it that doesn’t seem to age like a lot of rock music does.”

With the summer marking the final tour for The Who, their music and legacy will continue on for generations to come.

(Photo by: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)