Pete Townshend has always believed that rock music is about far more than playing the right notes. For him, it is about freedom, attitude, and the power to bring colour into an otherwise grey world. As a founding member of The Who, he helped turn that philosophy into some of the most electrifying music in rock history.
His own guitar style was shaped by artists who challenged conventions and transformed the possibilities of rock and roll. Although Townshend is known for his sharp opinions and occasional criticism of other legendary bands, he has also expressed deep admiration for the musicians who inspired his journey.
Here are five guitarists who left a lasting impression on Pete Townshend.
1. Jimi Hendrix
For Townshend, witnessing Jimi Hendrix perform live was a truly extraordinary experience. Hendrix possessed a rare combination of technical brilliance, stage presence, and almost otherworldly charisma. His performances went beyond conventional guitar playing, turning the instrument into something expressive, unpredictable, and deeply emotional.
Townshend once described Hendrix as a shaman onstage, recalling how he seemed to radiate light when he performed. It was not simply Hendrix’s virtuosity that captivated him, but the entire experience of watching a musician who appeared to transcend the boundaries of rock and roll.
2. Eric Clapton
Pete Townshend’s admiration for Eric Clapton came with a few reservations about his sound, particularly during his Cream years. Nevertheless, he consistently recognised Clapton’s exceptional guitar-playing ability.
Townshend sometimes felt that Cream’s arrangements could have benefited from additional musical textures, but his respect for Clapton’s talent remained unmistakable. Their mutual admiration and occasional onstage collaborations reflected the strong bond between two influential figures in British rock.
3. Link Wray
Few guitarists made a more immediate impression on Townshend than Link Wray. Wray’s groundbreaking instrumental Rumble had a raw, rebellious sound that challenged the polished music of its time.
Townshend recalled feeling both uneasy and excited when he first heard the track. Its distorted guitar tone demonstrated that music could communicate danger, tension, and emotion without relying on lyrics.
Wray helped inspire Townshend to pick up a guitar in the first place. His influence reinforced a belief that would remain central to Townshend’s musical philosophy: music should offer something more profound than simple entertainment.
4. Howlin’ Wolf
Townshend’s appreciation for Howlin’ Wolf grew from discovering the powerful sounds of American blues and R&B during his early musical development. Tracks such as Smokestack Lightnin’ introduced him to a rawer, more expressive style of music.
What fascinated Townshend was not just the guitar work, but the intensity of Wolf’s entire musical approach. His voice, rhythm, and commanding presence helped demonstrate how music could express deep feelings and challenge conventional expectations.
For Townshend, Howlin’ Wolf represented an important link between the blues traditions of America and the harder-edged rock sound that British musicians would develop in the 1960s.
5. Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley’s distinctive rhythm was another crucial ingredient in Townshend’s musical development. In the early days of The Who, the band regularly performed Diddley’s Road Runner, and his driving, repetitive rhythms helped shape their energetic R&B sound.
Townshend absorbed Diddley’s approach while developing his own distinctive style, combining rhythmic intensity with dramatic guitar flourishes and a powerful stage presence.
Diddley’s influence demonstrated how a simple, instantly recognisable rhythm could become the foundation of an entire musical identity. His contribution to rock and roll extended far beyond his own recordings, inspiring generations of musicians to experiment with rhythm, sound, and performance.
Five guitarists, five different legacies. From Jimi Hendrix’s otherworldly performances to Link Wray’s raw distortion, Howlin’ Wolf’s blues intensity, Eric Clapton’s expressive playing, and Bo Diddley’s unmistakable rhythm, each artist contributed something unique to Pete Townshend’s musical vision.
Together, they help explain how Townshend developed into one of rock’s most distinctive guitarists and songwriters — an artist who understood that great music does not merely entertain; it changes how people feel about the world.