Pete Townshend

REELRADIO LISTENS TO PETE TOWNSHEND
Zack Boles, Tony Cox, Dennis Newhall 		REELRADIO is pleased to present this exclusive interview with Pete Townshend, a founder of The Who. Our thanks to Mr. Townshend for his interest in REELRADIO.
Visit Pete at www.petetownshend.com

By Richard Irwin

This interview is a gift from Pete Townshend to his friends and fans at REELRADIO. It started because Pete visited the site, got caught up in the magic of a few classic airchecks, and wrote me e-mail. I didn't believe it was him and asked for an interview. He agreed. I was, and am still, astounded - and flattered by the attention.
In this interview, recorded and edited between August and November of 2000, in Sacramento and Richmond U.K., we asked Pete Townshend to talk about radio, Internet radio, and the Internet, which he did, most eloquently. From the first listen, I was taken with his comfort and candor. He shares his recollections and predictions openly and personably... I figure REELRADIO made a good impression. All regular users and contributors to this site share credit for that.

I couldn't resist trying to make a radio program from the raw materials. Our questions were recorded on August 18th. Pete's answers were recorded on September 14th. The program was produced in October and November (2000). It runs just under an hour (58:34) and was presented in three parts.

Part One went online the week of November 26, 2000, and Part Three went online the week of December 10, 2000. Like the great majority of REELRADIO exhibits, all portions of this program will remain online indefinitely.

Joining REELRADIO founder Uncle Ricky as interviewers were ex-deejays Dennis Newhall and Tony Cox. Zack Boles is featured as our announcer. Nakamoto Productions in Sacramento provided the studio. All time was volunteered; everything was donated to REELRADIO. Thank you all.

Images of Pete Townshend Copyright © 2000-2010 by Pete Townshend. This REELRADIO Special is Copyright © 2000-2010 by REELRADIO, Inc. and intended for streaming to our supporters — without duplication or further distribution. Quotation of any portion of this program must include acknowledgment to REELRADIO. This program may not be used for any commercial or for-profit purpose.

REELRADIO Listens to Pete Townshend, Part 1 (0:18:41)

… I’m hoping to start a small radio station attached to my website, and your site will be the place I come when I forget why I need to do it …

Part One: How this interview happened, Introductions, Pete’s big ole comfortable chair and studio, Pete’s email to Ricky, Pete talks about fun with Tony, the life and death of AOR with Dennis, and the great characters on REELRADIO. Also: AFN, Radio Luxembourg, Skiffle, the BBC, first impressions of AM radio in New York, Progressive radio and string quartets.

REELRADIO Listens to Pete Townshend, Part 2 (0:18:48)

… my idea was to make jingles …

Part Two: American Top 40 in the U.K., Pirate Radio (from Tom Konard), Jingles and Sellout, PAMS 18, Murray The K, DeeJays we remember, should DeeJays make a difference? The promise of broadband streaming, the importance of radio today. Which format does Pete fit today? Lifehouse Chronicles, Scoop albums, Effect of Deregulation on music promotion, Psychoderelict.

REELRADIO Listens to Pete Townshend, Part 3 (0:21:18)

… What I’m happy to know is that you want to copy my music …

Part Three: How do people know there’s a new release out there, operating inside “The Loop”, Lifehouse Chronicles, the benefits of radio for music, Napster, licensing fees, taping music off the radio, MP3, copyrights, effect of Internet distribution on new artists, Small Faces, pop music as a mirror of pop culture, How the Internet is changing the entertainment business, Can’t have it! Do you feel more in touch with your fans? Radio drama on the Internet, Would Pete have been a broadcaster? What would be on the Pete Townshend Internet Radio Station? The Last Question, credits.

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Welcome to the new ReelRadio!

This site is now operated by the North Carolina Broadcast History Museum. 

We want to thank the board of ReelRadio, Inc. for their stewardship since the passing of the founder Richard Irwin in 2018.  It has not been easy and they have maintained the exhibits for future generations to enjoy.

I met Richard Irwin, aka Uncle Ricky, when we were freshmen at East Carolina University.  We both had worked at local stations in our hometowns.  No one was more passionate about radio, especially Top 40 radio, than my friend Richard. 

Our goals with this site are to preserve the exhibits and make them available free of charge for people to enjoy.  Over time, we hope to add some airchecks to the site.  This will not happen immediately.  Time and resources will determine the future of new exhibits. 

Many thanks to the web folks at the Beasley Media Group for countless hours of work.  Again thanks to the board members of ReelRadio, Inc. for their faith in us. 

Richard Irwin’s hope was that his site would live on long after his passing. He said, “I hope REELRADIO will survive as my contribution to the ‘radio business’. The business is allowed to forget me, but the business should never forget the great era of radio that we celebrate here”.

We remember Richard and we thank him. If you enjoy this new site, we would appreciate a contribution. We hope you enjoy the new ReelRadio!

Carl Davis
Trustee
North Carolina Broadcast History Museum