Happy birthday, Pete Townshend

He was born on 19 May 1945, which makes him 70 today. I was never a big Who fan but have been listening to Tommy today, as one does, and it has held up better than most 60s “classics”. As a teenager at the time I had the 45 of “Pinball Wizard”. Great use of a descending series of suspended chords on a 12-string and also the combination of acoustic and electric guitars plus brilliant drummer and bassist. All versions of the song by this band are amazing.

So here is the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall on 18 August 2009: