Weekend Music

 

Today is Pete Townshend's 78th birthday.  The Who's guitarist and principal songwriter, Townshend co- founded the band in 1964 along with singer/guitarist Roger Daltry and bassist John Entwhistle, who were soon joined by drummer Keith Moon.  Rock innovators whose music inspired future power rock and punk rock bands, The Who are also noted for

...  the development of the Marshall Stack, large public address systems, the use of synthesisers, Entwistle's and Moon's influential playing styles, Townshend's feedback and power chord guitar technique, and the development of the rock opera.

Here's their first single as The Who, Townshend's "I Can't Explain" from January 1965.

Mid-Week Song

 Legendary guitarist Pete Townshend, turning 76 today, made his initial mark with The Who, one of the great and innovative "English invasion" bands of the '60s. He had a top solo hit in 1980, the super catchy "Let My Love Open The Door," from his "Empty Glass" album. We chose it today by way of  saying "happy birthday" to him.

Mid-Week Song Twofer

Happy 57th (!) Birthday today to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, native Jane Wiedlin who co-founded the popular all-female New Wave band The Go-Go's in 1978 with vocalist Belinda Carlisle.  Wiedlin, the rhythm guitarist, also wrote or co-wrote most of The Go-Go's songs, including this infectious hit from 1981, "Our Lips Are Sealed" (she's the one with the dark hair in a pixie cut):



We also want to note a belated Happy Birthday to founder of The Who, Pete Townshend, who turned 70 (!) yesterday.  Here's one of The Who's early hits, "The Kids Are Alright," with Pete doing his patented "windmill" guitar strokes toward the end: