Exclusive Audio: Jann Wenner's 1968 Interview with Pete Townshend

In honor of Rolling Stone's 40th Anniversary we're posting audio from a couple of classic interviews: Here's an excerpt from Pete Townshend's famous 1968 sit-down with RS founder Jann Wenner in which he first laid out his ideas for what would become the rock opera Tommy.

But first, here's Wenner's original introduction to the interview, from September 1968's double issue numbered 17/18:

The Who are the best-known and most brilliant expression of the most influential "youth movement" ever to take Great Britain, the Mods. Peter Townshend, the well-known guitarist, is the group's main force, the author of most of the material, the composer of most of the music and the impetus behind the Who's stylistic stance. This interview began at 2:00 A.M., after the Who's recent appearance at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Nobody quite remembers under what circumstances it was concluded.

Listen to Pete Townshend talk about the genesis of smashing his guitar:

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Song Stories

“All Along the Watchtower”

The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 1968

Jimi Hendrix got hold of Bob Dylan's early John Wesley Harding tapes and in late 1967 recorded a version of "All Along the Watchtower" with the Experience in London. Dissatisfied with that first development, Hendrix brought those tapes with him to New York in early 1968 when he began work on Electric Ladyland. Eddie Kramer, Hendrix's engineer at the time, told Rolling Stone that Hendrix "was still looked upon by his basically white audience as the mammoth black guitar hero. There was a constant fight within him to expand himself." Hendrix's successful take on Dylan's work has long been recognized by the songwriter. "I liked Jimi Hendrix's record of this and ever since he died I've been doing it that way," Dylan wrote in the liner notes to his Biograph box set. "Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it's a tribute to him in some kind of way."

More Song Stories entries »

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