All the greatest rock songs can reflect life’s realities or offer some escapism. A very select few, however, are capable of doing both, which is perhaps why The Who are afforded such a legendary reputation within the history of the genre. Not only could the songwriting of Pete Townshend offer a form of rock art escapism for listeners, but records like ‘My Generation’ and albums like Quadrophenia were also adept in reflecting everyday life for thousands of kids across the globe.
From the very early days of The Who, Townshend set out with a staunch artistic manifesto for the group, which certainly aided them in becoming one of England’s defining rock bands during the 1960s and 1970s. Pioneering a variety of recording, production and performance techniques that would become standard within the industry, the landscape of rock would look very different without the colossal impact of The Who. Throughout it all, though, Townshend and company found inspiration in the rock ‘n’ roll stars of the past.
As a child of the 1950s, the incredible influence that the early days of rock had on Townshend should come as no real surprise. Seeing the emergence of figures like Little Richard, Elvis Presley, and even Bill Haley was enough to get Townshend hooked on the rebellious nature of rock music. Although, during the 1960s, he and The Who were endlessly dedicated to modernism and inventing new sounds, the influence of those early rock stars never really left the songwriter.
A particular favourite of Townshend’s came in the form of Minnesota songwriter Eddie Cochran. Much like The Who, Cochran was an expert in capturing the frustration and angst of adolescence in his music. As opposed to the glitz and glamour of stars like Elvis, Cochran offered something that was relatable to audiences, notably on tracks like ‘C’mon Everybody’ and, of course, ‘Summertime Blues’.
