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Behind Blue Eyes: The Life of Pete Townshend
As far as legendary rock bands go, The Who ranks alongside the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Penning the Who's enduring rock anthems and bringing those songs to life with some of the most frenetic and destructive guitar performances ever witnessed, Pete Townshend proved that his excess matched his talent, and left in his wake bottles, syringes, groupies, and trashed hotel rooms as his band brought their music to an equally energized generation. Biographer Giuliano spills the beans on Townshend's childhood, his battles with band members during the Who's glory days as mod gods, his strange devotion to the Indian mystic Meher Baba, and the many unexpected turns his creative activities have taken in between the band's several break-ups and reunions.
392 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1996
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 8, 2012
What a hack job. The author relies on many other sources for his information including someone called Kathy Browning (an insider). Kathy is frequently quoted throughout the book for the most critical, cutting and inflammatory portions of the book.
The author frequently editorializes and did not like this album or that piece of music and was often critical of Townshend. I got so tired of reading this diatribe. Of course the author reveals why he didn't have direct access to Townshend. He stole personal music tapes from Townshend and after this betrayal, Townshend did not have anything to do with this "writer" again.
The recently released Who Am I: A memoir by Townshend himself should be the most comprehensive and realistic. I am looking forward to reading this book by the immeasurably talented Townshend.
The best part of this book was the interviews at the end of the book (which had nothing to do with the author) and the Diary of Events and discography which again had nothing to do with the author.
Don't waste your time on this trash!
The author frequently editorializes and did not like this album or that piece of music and was often critical of Townshend. I got so tired of reading this diatribe. Of course the author reveals why he didn't have direct access to Townshend. He stole personal music tapes from Townshend and after this betrayal, Townshend did not have anything to do with this "writer" again.
The recently released Who Am I: A memoir by Townshend himself should be the most comprehensive and realistic. I am looking forward to reading this book by the immeasurably talented Townshend.
The best part of this book was the interviews at the end of the book (which had nothing to do with the author) and the Diary of Events and discography which again had nothing to do with the author.
Don't waste your time on this trash!
October 20, 2017
For any Who fan and any fan of the amazing Townshend - this book will not disappoint. The struggles and journeys in Pete's life are laid out in great detail and description. The relationship between his creativity / drug use / religion / fights with Roger / his mental wellness and the ever present shadow of The Who are very well developed.
Townsend started life with challenges, in an age without computers, without rock operas, without many skills on the guitar or vocally. The events in his life which were involved in his musical evolution are interwoven very effectively in the book. The internal power he has to have created such amazing music, to fail and get back up again, and to follow his own path is unbelievable and clearly demonstrated.
For me, a next step, would be to have a book that devotes a few hundred pages about the amazing creative ways he used early technology and invented ways of creating music that cannot be improved upon with computers. In addition, his "Lifehouse" project is one that can always be expanded on - it is complex and requires time to explore.
Townsend started life with challenges, in an age without computers, without rock operas, without many skills on the guitar or vocally. The events in his life which were involved in his musical evolution are interwoven very effectively in the book. The internal power he has to have created such amazing music, to fail and get back up again, and to follow his own path is unbelievable and clearly demonstrated.
For me, a next step, would be to have a book that devotes a few hundred pages about the amazing creative ways he used early technology and invented ways of creating music that cannot be improved upon with computers. In addition, his "Lifehouse" project is one that can always be expanded on - it is complex and requires time to explore.
June 27, 2018
i love pete townshend but i hate geoffrey giuliano
September 26, 2007
Behind Blue Eyes is a personal, man-behind-the-myth sort of bio. The book gives a fair amount of insight into the relationships between Townshend and his fellow members of The Who, not just that they didn’t get along but why they didn’t. Also very interesting is the exploration of Townshend’s childhood relationship with his parents and the long term effects they had on him. It's well written and informative but, on the other hand, it too often shies away from journalism and favors a sort of sensational, wordy, teen scene kind of reporting. It’s heartfelt and trite at the same time.
While there was obviously the artistic side to Townshend and to The Who, I suppose I wanted more of Townshend as rock guitarist and of his place in his rock band, The Who. I love the bits about how and why Townshend wrote certain songs, his creative process at various times in his life. The influences on Townshend’s guitar style are explored in effective detail but I would have liked more of this sort of thing. More on the songwriting, more on his guitar style, more on the guitars, amps and effects used during which sessions or what he used for various live recordings like Live At Leeds. I also wanted more about The Who but I suppose I should read a book on The Who, eh?
Townshend seems to have been a sort of spoiled brat as much as he was generous and giving. He helped Eric Clapton kick heroin, though Townshend later tangled with that demon himself. He was also capable of heartless cruelty and verbal abuse of even close loved ones. He battled several addictions through his life and managed to stay productive and creative to the end. Townshend was a fascinating, talented, intelligent and opinionated character and you do feel that you get to know him through Giuliano’s writing.
The chapter on Townshend’s association with Mehar Baba left me wondering just what it was that made all these 60’s pop stars turn to Eastern religion. Of course, it was the popular thing, the trendy thing to do. It metamorphed the participant into an “enlightened” being searching for himself or some “higher power.” However, the involvement of folks like The Beatles and The Stones seems to have actually had a profound effect on their lives. Townshend is no exception. He spent a great deal of time, energy and money spreading Mehar Baba’s good word.
Giuliano is a pretty well respected writer in the 60’s British Invasion genre. His other books include The Lost Beatles Interviews, Blackbird: The Life And Times Of Paul McCartney and Dark Horse: The Private Life Of George Harrison. I don’t want to give the impression this guy is a hack because he’s not. I do think he’s a fan and his writing sometimes leans towards fan appreciation to the exclusion of telling the story. At the same time, I think Giuliano takes a unique look at Townshend and his band.
While there was obviously the artistic side to Townshend and to The Who, I suppose I wanted more of Townshend as rock guitarist and of his place in his rock band, The Who. I love the bits about how and why Townshend wrote certain songs, his creative process at various times in his life. The influences on Townshend’s guitar style are explored in effective detail but I would have liked more of this sort of thing. More on the songwriting, more on his guitar style, more on the guitars, amps and effects used during which sessions or what he used for various live recordings like Live At Leeds. I also wanted more about The Who but I suppose I should read a book on The Who, eh?
Townshend seems to have been a sort of spoiled brat as much as he was generous and giving. He helped Eric Clapton kick heroin, though Townshend later tangled with that demon himself. He was also capable of heartless cruelty and verbal abuse of even close loved ones. He battled several addictions through his life and managed to stay productive and creative to the end. Townshend was a fascinating, talented, intelligent and opinionated character and you do feel that you get to know him through Giuliano’s writing.
The chapter on Townshend’s association with Mehar Baba left me wondering just what it was that made all these 60’s pop stars turn to Eastern religion. Of course, it was the popular thing, the trendy thing to do. It metamorphed the participant into an “enlightened” being searching for himself or some “higher power.” However, the involvement of folks like The Beatles and The Stones seems to have actually had a profound effect on their lives. Townshend is no exception. He spent a great deal of time, energy and money spreading Mehar Baba’s good word.
Giuliano is a pretty well respected writer in the 60’s British Invasion genre. His other books include The Lost Beatles Interviews, Blackbird: The Life And Times Of Paul McCartney and Dark Horse: The Private Life Of George Harrison. I don’t want to give the impression this guy is a hack because he’s not. I do think he’s a fan and his writing sometimes leans towards fan appreciation to the exclusion of telling the story. At the same time, I think Giuliano takes a unique look at Townshend and his band.
January 11, 2016
Geoffrey Giuliano has written a superb book that details one of Rock and Rolls most memorable Icons. The pages within it detail a man who on one hand struggles with shyness that prevented him to speak one on one with fans yet still wrote and delivered long lyrics that have proven to be timeless. It appears that Pete Townshend is a tortured soul who has a lot of ideas that he is compelled to put to paper and turn it into entertainment. Pete may be someone who will never be fully understood, yet this book gets pretty close. Who fans will love this, as well as any music fans in general.
April 15, 2016
A fair book to read to learn of the history of The Who and Pete Townshend. The author spent time early on with Pete, but they had a falling out, therefore this book is based on both first hand and "hearsay" knowledge with some info taken from published material as well. If you are a Who fan or want to learn more about The Who, Pete Townshend or the rise of rock music in the 60s and 70s or even the on-going activities of Pete and/or The Who in the 80s and 90s you will find some info in this book. It is a ponderous read, however, which is the reason for my rating of 3 stars instead of 4.
January 8, 2016
The author seems very interested in the psychological makeup of Pete Townshend, the legendary songwriter, composer and member of the rock and roll band, The Who. It is interesting to read about Pete's life, but I don't know if the author, who knows Townshend, is that qualified to comment incessantly about Pete's mind and what he thinks.
August 26, 2013
Giuliano is a bad person (spoiler alert-you will have to read to find out why). His book is very good though.
May 31, 2014
interesting story, not very well told, by a self-confessed liar and thief.
But he certainly portrays PT as an interesting, complex character.
But he certainly portrays PT as an interesting, complex character.
February 8, 2008
What I wanted to know about Pete
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews