Pete Townshend Makes Fan Learn the Hard Way The Who Don’t Take Requests
This clip from The Who’s April 27 performance in Tampa, Fla. has surfaced, and it shows Pete Townshend taking a fan to task for yelling out a song request, but…
This clip from The Who's April 27 performance in Tampa, Fla. has surfaced, and it shows Pete Townshend taking a fan to task for yelling out a song request, but then he and Roger Daltrey end up playing the song anyway.
According to Ultimate Classic Rock, the incident happened following technical issues that cut The Who's performance of "I Can See for Miles" short because Daltrey was unable to hear the band via his in-ear monitor. This led to a short break to resolve the issues. When Daltrey and Townshend returned, they are apparently "a little unsure of which song would be next." This led to a fan in the front row yelling out for the duo to perform "Naked Eye" from 1974's Odds and Sods.
And that's when Townshend went off.
"Alright, just shut up," begins Townshend. "Just shut the f--- up with Naked f---ing Eye! Alright?! We don't do f---ing requests! However many times I see you, and I love you. You f---ing paid for my Ferrari, I'm sure."
Townshend then turns to Daltrey and asks, "Rog, what do you want to play?" He then cheekily responds, "Anything you like. 'Naked Eye'?" Townshend says, "No...you're gonna get me to play 'Naked Eye' after all that?" Daltrey yells back, "Yeah!"
And then they do playing "Naked Eye," and it was rather great.
WARNING: NSFW language ahead, obviously.
Pete Townshend celebrates his birthday today (May 19.)
From his songwriting to his stage presence, Townshend has been incredibly influential to musicians for generations.
In honor of his birthday, check out the gallery below full of classic images of Townshend on stage, behind-the-scenes and everything in between.
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
10th December 1968: Peter Townshend of The Who at the Interlet Studios where the Rolling Stones where shooting a TV spectacular. (Photo by Mike Lawn/Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
1975: Pete Townshend, songwriter and guitarist of the British rock band The Who, seen in flight, whilst playing with the band on stage in 1975. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
1975: Pete Townshend songwriter and guitarist with British rock group The Who, performing on stage. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
1968: Pete Townshend, songwriter and guitarist with British rock group The Who, prepares his costume for the 'Rolling Stones' Rock And Roll Circus', a rock film project. (Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
10th December 1968: Mick Jagger, the lead singer of the Rolling Stones, chatting with the drummer of the Who, Keith Moon (1947-1978, left), and the band's chief songwriter and guitarist, Pete Townshend, during the filming of the Rolling Stones 'Rock 'n' Roll Circus' at Internel Studios in Stonebridge Park, Wembley. (Photo by David Cairns/Express/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
10th December 1968: Members of the Who and the Rolling Stones at Internel Studios in Stonebridge Park, Wembley, during the making of the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, (from left) Pete Townshend, Keith Moon (1947-1978) and Charlie Watts. The Rolling Stones bassist, Bill Wyman, is stood behind them. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
circa 1970: Roger Daltrey (left) and Pete Townshend of The Who playing in concert. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
1968: Pete Townshend, guitarist and songwriter of British rock group The Who, on his wedding day with his wife Karen Astley. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
Portrait of British rock group, the Who, (L-R): Guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle (1944 - 2002), drummer Keith Moon (1946 - 1978) and singer Roger Daltrey, 1969. (Photo by Steve Wood/Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
British rock group The Who, comprising of, from left to right; Keith Moon (1947 - 1978), Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle (1944 - 2002). The group are currently working on a film, 'The Kids Are Alright', which looks back at fifteen years of The Who on the road, in recording studios and interviews. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
English rock group The Who, during their 1966 German/Swiss tour, from left to right; drummer Keith Moon (1947 - 1978), Roger Daltrey (vocals), John Entwistle (1944 - 2002, bass guitar) and Pete Townshend (guitar). (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
Pete Townshend, guitarist and songwriter of British rock group The Who, performing on stage. Original Publication: People Disc - HM0128 (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
British theatre director Frank Dunlop, Young Vic's artistic director, and English multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Pete Townshend of rock band The Who, UK, 10th February 1971. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
British musician and songwriter Pete Townshend of rock band The Who performing live during the concert tour supporting 'The Who By Numbers' at Wembley Arena, London, UK, 24th October 1975. (Photo by Wood/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
British rock band The Who performing live during the concert tour supporting 'The Who By Numbers' at Wembley Arena, London, UK, 24th October 1975. (Photo by Wood/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
Pete Townshend of The Who pictured playing an acoustic guitar with his father Cliff Townshend (1916-1986), saxophone player with the Squadronaires, at home in London on 30th March 1966. (Photo by Larry Ellis/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
Pete Townshend of The Who pictured playing an acoustic guitar with his father Cliff Townshend (1916-1986), saxophone player with the Squadronaires, and mother Betty at home in London on 30th March 1966. (Photo by Larry Ellis/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
Pete Townshend, lead guitarist with 'The Who', marrying Karen Astley, May 20th 1968. (Photo by Carpenter/Express/Getty Images)
Pete Townshend: Classic Images of the Iconic Guitarist
Pete Townshend, lead guitarist with 'The Who', marrying Karen Astley, May 20th 1968. (Photo by Carpenter/Express/Getty Images)
