Simon Townshend
Encyclopedia
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.
, 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.
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
.
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
's Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend
Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career...
, 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 MusicStir Music
Stir Music was founded in 1995 as a subsidiary of Prize Performance, Inc., a Connecticut based promotional marketing/fulfillment business owned by Robert Kowalski. Stir Music was established as a production and management company turned record label with the goal of promoting the music of Simon...
, 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
Casbah Club
Casbah Club is a mod rock band formed in 2004, consisting of guitarist/vocalist Simon Townshend , bassist Bruce Foxton , drummer Mark Brzezicki , and rhythm guitarist Bruce Watson...
in 2004, which included Bruce Foxton
Bruce Foxton
Bruce Foxton is an English rock and roll musician who is best known as the bass player in punk rock bands The Jam and Stiff Little Fingers.-Biography:...
(The Jam
The Jam
The Jam were an English punk rock/New Wave/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey. While they shared the "angry young men" outlook and fast tempos of their punk rock contemporaries, The Jam wore smartly tailored suits rather than ripped...
) and Mark Brzezicki
Mark Brzezicki
Mark Brzezicki is a rock drummer, who is primarily known for his work with Big Country, and was a member of the groups The Cult, Ultravox, and Procol Harum. He has also played with Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, Midge Ure, Fish, The Pretenders and many others...
(Big Country
Big Country
Big Country are a Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife in 1981. They were most popular in the early to mid-1980s, but they still release material for a cult following...
) 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
The Who Tour 2006-2007
The Who Tour 2006–2007 was The Who's first worldwide concert tour since 1997, supporting their Endless Wire album.-History:In December 2005, Rolling Stone magazine announced that The Who would be touring in the summer of 2006, visiting Australia, Canada, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the...
). Townshend played rhythm guitar, mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, and performed backing vocals. He played a modified Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
with P-90 pick-ups
Pickup (music technology)
A pickup device is a transducer that captures mechanical vibrations, usually from suitably equipped stringed instruments such as the electric guitar, electric bass guitar, Chapman Stick, or electric violin, and converts them to an electrical signal that is amplified, recorded, or broadcast.-...
. Townshend also uses a signature guitar designed and developed by JJ Guitars in addition to their Retro Lux model.
His first credited collaboration with The Who involved participation as one of the supporting choralists for Ken Russell
Ken Russell
Henry Kenneth Alfred "Ken" Russell was an English film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. He attracted criticism as being obsessed with sexuality and the church...
's film adaptation of Tommy
Tommy (film)
Tommy is a 1975 British musical film based upon The Who's 1969 rock opera album musical Tommy. It was directed by Ken Russell and featured a star-studded cast, including the band members themselves...
. Townshend also appeared on his brother's solo album The Iron Man: A Musical
The Iron Man: A Musical
The Iron Man: The Musical by Pete Townshend, released in 1989, is an adaptation of Ted Hughes' story The Iron Man, produced and largely composed and performed by Pete Townshend of The Who...
, singing on the song "Man Machines" and an alternative version of "Dig". He contributed backing vocals to The Who's Endless Wire
Endless Wire (The Who album)
Endless Wire is the eleventh album by the English rock band The Who released on 30 October 2006, through Polydor Records and the following day in the United States by Universal Republic. It was their first new album of original material in twenty-four years following the release of It's Hard in 1982...
album (2006).
On 11 August 2009 Simon joined Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
onstage at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London for a performance of "The Real Me" from The Who's Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia is the sixth studio album by English rock band The Who. Released on 19 October 1973 by Track and Polydor in the UK, and Track and MCA in the US, it is a double album, and the group's second rock opera...
album.
In the fall of 2009, Simon Townshend embarked on a tour of the US
Use It Or Lose It Tour
No Plan B, also known as the Roger Daltrey Band is a rock band assembled by The Who singer Roger Daltrey to support performances and tours outside of The Who. Daltrey's band includes Simon Townshend on guitar and vocals, Frank Simes on lead guitar, Jon Button on bass, Loren Gold on keyboards and...
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
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
.
On 30 March 2010 Simon played with The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
during their performance of Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia is the sixth studio album by English rock band The Who. Released on 19 October 1973 by Track and Polydor in the UK, and Track and MCA in the US, it is a double album, and the group's second rock opera...
at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust
Teenage Cancer Trust
Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity that focuses on the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer, leukaemia, Hodgkin’s and related diseases by providing specialist teenage units in NHS hospitals. The units are dedicated areas for teenage patients, who are involved in their concept and creation...
.