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Simon Townshend (; born 10 October 1960) is a British guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is the younger brother of
the Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
's guitarist
Pete Townshend Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (; born 19 May 1945) is an English musician. He is co-founder, leader, guitarist, second lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the Who, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s. Townsh ...
, and is most associated with The Who and the various side projects of its original members. Simon Townshend has also performed with numerous other acts including
Pearl Jam Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. The band's lineup consists of founding members Jeff Ament (bass guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), and Eddie Vedder (lead vocals, guita ...
,
Dave Grohl David Eric Grohl (born January 14, 1969) is an American musician. He is the founder of the rock band Foo Fighters, in which he is the lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter. Prior to forming Foo Fighters, he was the drummer of gru ...
and
Jeff Beck Geoffrey Arnold Beck (born 24 June 1944) is an English rock guitarist. He rose to prominence with the Yardbirds and after fronted the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice. In 1975, he switched to a mainly instrumental style, with a focus ...
.


Early life

Townshend was born in
Chiswick Chiswick ( ) is a district of west London, England. It contains Hogarth's House, the former residence of the 18th-century English artist William Hogarth; Chiswick House, a neo-Palladian villa regarded as one of the finest in England; and Full ...
, London, the same area and town where older brother
Pete Townshend Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (; born 19 May 1945) is an English musician. He is co-founder, leader, guitarist, second lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the Who, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s. Townsh ...
was born. He grew up into a musical family. He was the youngest of three sons born to
Cliff Townshend Clifford Blandford Townshend (28 January 1916 – 29 June 1986) was an English jazz musician who played saxophone in the Royal Air Force Dance Orchestra, popularly known as The Squadronaires. He also played clarinet in the band. His eldest son, ...
, a professional saxophonist in
The Squadronaires The Squadronaires is a Royal Air Force band which began and performed in Britain during and after World War II. The official title of the band was 'The Royal Air Force Dance Orchestra', but it was always known by the more popular title "The S ...
, and his wife, Betty Townshend (née Dennis), who had an early career as a singer. By the time he was born, his father's career as a
jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...
musician was winding down, while Pete became successful as the primary songwriter of the rock band
The Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
in the mid-1960s. In 1974 Townshend released his debut single, ''When I'm a Man'', at the age of 13. Nine years later, in 1983, he released his first solo album, '' Sweet Sound'', followed by '' Moving Target'' in 1985. In 1989, he also appeared on his brother Pete Townshend's fifth solo album, '' The Iron Man: The Musical by Pete Townshend'', singing on the short song "Man Machines" and an alternative version of "Dig". In 1994, he toured with The Who's lead vocalist
Roger Daltrey Roger Harry Daltrey (born 1 March 1944) is an English singer, musician and actor. He is a co-founder and the lead singer of the Rock music, rock band The Who. Daltrey's hit songs with The Who include "My Generation", "Pinball Wizard", "Won't Ge ...
on the
Daltrey Sings Townshend ''A Celebration: The Music of Pete Townshend and The Who'', also known as ''Daltrey Sings Townshend'', is a music event and a later live album by Roger Daltrey (of English rock band The Who) documenting a two-night concert at Carnegie Hall in F ...
tour.


Career

In 1996, after starting his own record label and production company, Stir Music, Simon Townshend released several other albums including studio and live performances. He joined
The Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
as a second guitarist for their
Quadrophenia ''Quadrophenia'' is the sixth studio album by the English rock band the Who, released as a double album on 26 October 1973 by Track Records. It is the group's third rock opera, the two previous being the "mini-opera" song "A Quick One, Whil ...
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 Townshend also joined
Casbah Club Casbah Club is a British mod rock band formed in Finchley, London in 2004. Career The band consisted of guitarist/vocalist Simon Townshend (brother of Pete Townshend and touring member of The Who), bassist Bruce Foxton (The Jam, Stiff Li ...
in 2004, which included
Bruce Foxton Bruce Douglas Foxton (born 1 September 1955) is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Foxton's music career spans more than 40 years. He came to prominence in the late 1970s as bassist and backing vocalist of mod revival band the Jam. ...
(bass guitarist for
The Jam The Jam were an English mod revival/ punk rock band formed in 1972 at Sheerwater Secondary School in Woking, Surrey. They released 18 consecutive Top 40 singles in the United Kingdom, from their debut in 1977 to their break-up in December 198 ...
) and
Mark Brzezicki Mark Michael Brzezicki ( , ; born 21 June 1957) is an English musician, best known as the drummer for the Scottish rock band Big Country. He has also played with the Cult, Ultravox, From the Jam, Procol Harum, Rick Astley, the Crazy World of ...
(drummer for
Big Country Big Country are a Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife, in 1981. The height of the band's popularity was in the early to mid 1980s, although it has retained a cult following for many years since. The band's music incorporated Scott ...
) and Bruce Watson (guitarist for Big Country), where he functioned as lead guitarist, lead vocalist and songwriter. In 2006 Simon Townshend joined the European leg of
The Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
's tour, playing a support set with Casbah Club as well as performing with
The Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
(see
The Who Tour 2006-2007 ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...
). Simon Townshend played rhythm guitar,
mandolin A mandolin ( it, mandolino ; literally "small mandola") is a stringed musical instrument in the lute family and is generally plucked with a pick. It most commonly has four courses of doubled strings tuned in unison, thus giving a total of 8 ...
, and performed backing vocals. He played a modified
Fender Stratocaster The Fender Stratocaster, colloquially known as the Strat, is a model of electric guitar designed from 1952 into 1954 by Leo Fender, Bill Carson, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares. The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has continuously ...
with P-90 pick-ups. Simon Townshend also uses a signature guitar designed and developed b
JJ Guitars
in addition to their Retro Lux model. His first credited collaboration with
The Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
involved participation as one of the supporting choralists for
Ken Russell Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell (3 July 1927 – 27 November 2011) was a British film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. His films in the main were liberal adaptation ...
's film adaptation of ''
Tommy Tommy may refer to: People * Tommy (given name) * Tommy Atkins, or just Tommy, a slang term for a common soldier in the British Army Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Tommy'' (1931 film), a Soviet drama film * ''Tommy'' (1975 fil ...
'' which was released in 1975. He also had contributed backing vocals to
The Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
's '' Endless Wire'' album in 2006. On 11 August 2009 Simon joined
Pearl Jam Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. The band's lineup consists of founding members Jeff Ament (bass guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), and Eddie Vedder (lead vocals, guita ...
onstage at the
Shepherd's Bush Empire Shepherd's Bush Empire (currently known as O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire for sponsorship reasons, and formerly known as the BBC Television Theatre) is a music venue in Shepherd's Bush, West London, run by the Academy Music Group. It was originally ...
in London for a performance of " The Real Me" from
The Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
's ''
Quadrophenia ''Quadrophenia'' is the sixth studio album by the English rock band the Who, released as a double album on 26 October 1973 by Track Records. It is the group's third rock opera, the two previous being the "mini-opera" song "A Quick One, Whil ...
'' album. In the fall of 2009, he embarked on a tour of the US with
Roger Daltrey Roger Harry Daltrey (born 1 March 1944) is an English singer, musician and actor. He is a co-founder and the lead singer of the Rock music, rock band The Who. Daltrey's hit songs with The Who include "My Generation", "Pinball Wizard", "Won't Ge ...
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 Patrick Clapton (born 1945) is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is often regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. Clapton ranked second in ''Rolling Stone''s list of ...
. Further tours in 2011 and 2012 followed, with the band performing a complete version of
Tommy Tommy may refer to: People * Tommy (given name) * Tommy Atkins, or just Tommy, a slang term for a common soldier in the British Army Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Tommy'' (1931 film), a Soviet drama film * ''Tommy'' (1975 fil ...
. In February 2012, he began his own tour of the UK, in support of his new album which has been credited as his most impactful solo recording to date " Looking Out Looking In", which London's Daily Express rated 5/5, calling it "utterly compelling" and naming Simon Townshend "a genuinely original talent." His live band for this contained Tony Lowe (guitar),
Phil Spalding Philip Spalding (born 19 November 1957, London, England) is an English bass player. He is best known as a session musician and player of Fender Precision Bass guitars. He has played and appeared with performing artists such as Mick Jagger, Se ...
(bass), and Greg Pringle (drums), His live shows have been variously described as "supercharged" (New York Times), "irresistible" (Washington Post) and a "catharsis" (Los Angeles Times). Billboard labelled him "impressive" and Goldmine affirmed, "truly enjoyable listening." In short, as London's Gig Guide said, "you would be a fool to miss him." In the late summer and fall of 2012, he played with
The Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
on the
Quadrophenia and More ''Quadrophenia'' is the sixth studio album by the English rock band the Who, released as a double album on 26 October 1973 by Track Records. It is the group's third rock opera, the two previous being the "mini-opera" song " A Quick One, Whi ...
tour, which included a performance at the
2012 Summer Olympics The 2012 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012) was an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. The first event, the ...
closing ceremony. In July 2014 at Milton Keynes Bowl he again joined Pearl Jam on stage to perform his song “I'm the Answer.” From 2014 to 2016, Townshend joined
The Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...
on their 50th anniversary tour,
The Who Hits 50! Billed as The Who Hits 50!, The Who's 2014–16 tour was a tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band. Roger Daltrey has referred to this tour as the band's "long goodbye" hinting that it will be the final tour for The Who. The tour co ...
. In 2018, he toured with Roger Daltrey, performing ''Tommy'' with local orchestras in the United States.


Discography


Studio albums

* '' Sweet Sound'' (1983,
Polydor Polydor Records Ltd. is a German-British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in the United States. ...
) * '' Moving Target'' (1985, Polydor) * ''
Among Us ''Among Us'' is a 2018 online multiplayer social deduction game developed and published by American game studio Innersloth. The game was inspired by the party game Mafia and the science fiction horror film '' The Thing''. The game allows ...
'' (1996, Rising Records) * '' Animal Soup'' (1999, Stir) * ''
Venustraphobia ''Venustraphobia'' is the debut album by the rock band Casbah Club, released in 2006. The album uses many of Simon Townshend's well received solo songs. The term venustraphobia supposedly means the fear of beautiful women. Track listing All son ...
'' as
Casbah Club Casbah Club is a British mod rock band formed in Finchley, London in 2004. Career The band consisted of guitarist/vocalist Simon Townshend (brother of Pete Townshend and touring member of The Who), bassist Bruce Foxton (The Jam, Stiff Li ...
(2006, Stir) * '' Looking Out Looking In'' (2012,
Eagle Rock Entertainment Eagle Rock Entertainment is an international producer and distributor of music films and programming. It operates two record labels (Eagle Records and Armoury Records), a full-service production company (Eagle Rock Productions) and a music publis ...
) * ''
Denial Denial, in ordinary English usage, has at least three meanings: asserting that any particular statement or allegation is not true (which might be accurate or inaccurate); the refusal of a request; and asserting that a true statement is not true. ...
'' (2014, Stir)


Compilation albums

* ''Simontownshendis'' (2002, Stir) * ''Scraps'' (2000)


Extended plays

* ''Ages'' (2000, Stir) * ''Something New'' (2011, Stir)


Live albums

* ''Bare Bodies Bare Assets'' (2000, Stir) * ''Animal Soup Live at the Astoria'' (2005, Stir)


Singles

* "When I'm a Man" (1974, Warner Bros.) * "Janie" (1975, Warner Bros.) * "Turn It On" (1976, Warner Bros.) * "Ready for Action" (1980, WEA) * "Another Planet" (1980, WEA) * " I'm the Answer" (1983, Polydor) * "So Real" (1983, Polydor) * "Sweet Sound"
romo Romantic Modernism, more commonly known as Romo, was a musical and nightclubbing movement, of glam/style pop lineage, in the UK circa 1995–1997, centred on the twin homes of Camden-based clubnight Club Skinny and its West End clone Arcadia ...
(1983, Polydor) * "Barriers" (1985, Polydor) * "Meet You" (1985, Polydor) * "Broken Heart" (1987, Dignity Records) * "Walking in Wonderland" (1988, Dignity) * "The Way It Is"
romo Romantic Modernism, more commonly known as Romo, was a musical and nightclubbing movement, of glam/style pop lineage, in the UK circa 1995–1997, centred on the twin homes of Camden-based clubnight Club Skinny and its West End clone Arcadia ...
(1996, Rising) * "Bare Essence" (2013, Stir)


Personal life

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


References


External links


Official homepageSimon Townshend's weblogJJ Guitars page devoted to Simon Townshend
{{DEFAULTSORT:Townshend, Simon 1960 births Living people People from Chiswick People from Finchley English rock guitarists No Plan B (band) members Pete Townshend Casbah Club members The Who members