Music Legends and Their Animals

Pete Townshend and his dog, Towser, photographed in the garden at Twickenham, Middlesex, England, 1971.

"For this shoot, I went down to Pete's house by the Thames, opposite the legendary Eel Pie Island. We set up lots of his daughter’s toys, a bust of Beethoven and Towser, the family cocker spaniel. Pete dressed up in a pearly king outfit, grabbed a banjo and proceeded to play and sing funny songs... there might have even been a George Formby one in there. Towser sat quite still and started to sing and howl along. He was the perfect poser and looked right in the camera when I asked him to. I took a quick roll of film and then we had tea in the garden." — photographer Barrie Wentzell