The Who Concert Guide

Notes

Simon Townshend is a British guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is the younger brother of The Who's Pete Townshend, and is most associated with The Who and the various side projects of its original members, despite many other musical ventures in his career.

Career

After starting his own record label and production company, Stir Music, he released several other albums including studio and live performances. He joined The Who as a second guitarist for their Quadrophenia Tour in 1996 and 1997. He later rejoined the band as a full touring member in 2002 and has played with them on each of their tours since. Simon also joined Casbah Club in 2004, which included Bruce Foxton (The Jam) and Mark Brzezicki (Big Country) and Bruce Watson (Big Country), where he functioned as lead guitarist, lead vocalist and songwriter.

In 2006 Townshend joined the European leg of The Who's tour, playing a support set with Casbah Club as well as performing with The Who (see The Who Tour 2006-2007). Townshend played rhythm guitar, mandolin, and performed backing vocals. He played a modified Fender Stratocaster with P-90 pick-ups. Townshend also uses a signature guitar designed and developed by JJ Guitars in addition to their Retro Lux model.

In 2019 Simon worte the track Break the News for The Who's latest album WHO.

Townshend with Roger Daltrey

His first credited collaboration with The Who involved participation as one of the supporting choralists for Ken Russell's film adaptation of Tommy. Townshend also appeared on his brother's solo album The Iron Man: A Musical, singing on the song "Man Machines" and an alternative version of "Dig". He contributed backing vocals to The Who's Endless Wire album (2006).

On 11 August 2009 Simon joined Pearl Jam onstage at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London for a performance of "The Real Me" from The Who's Quadrophenia album.

In the fall of 2009, Simon Townshend embarked on a tour of the US with Roger Daltrey and the No Plan B band. The band continued touring in the spring of 2010, playing a number of dates in support of Eric Clapton.

On 30 March 2010 Simon played with The Who during their performance of Quadrophenia at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Discography

Townshend has released several solo albums, the first being Sweet Sound (1983), followed by Moving Target (1985). In September 1997, Rising Records released a remixed, re-sequenced Among Us (Rising RR10105). The American re-release was put out by Rising Records, a label owned by folk singer/songwriter Jonathan Edwards. Simon toured with son Ben on percussion.

Personal life

Simon is married to Janie Townshend, with whom he has three children. His song "Girl in New York" was written for her.

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