Rock legend Pete Townshend, co-founder of The Who, recently drew an unexpected comparison between Taylor Swift and The Beatles, adding his voice to a growing list of rock icons who hold Swift in high regard. In a candid interview, Townshend shared his admiration for Swift's songwriting skills and the infectious joy she brings to her music, placing her among the greats of both past and present.
During his appearance on the What It Takes podcast, Townshend, a Grammy-winning songwriter himself, didn't shy away from expressing his respect for Swift's artistry. "I'm a song dreamer in a sense," the 79-year-old musician explained. "So I love the great songwriters of my father's era, Gershwin and so on. And also the great songwriters of today, past The Beatles... to Taylor Swift." Townshend's comments reflect his appreciation for Swift's ability to create music that resonates with people from all walks of life, reports marca.com.
While he admitted that not all of her music is to his personal taste, Townshend emphasized how much he values the joy Swift clearly takes in her craft.
I love what she does... she seems to love it [and] seems to be having so much fun. That's what I identify with.
Townshend's admiration for Swift didn't stop at her songwriting. He also praised her record-breaking The Eras Tour, which grossed over $1 billion and provided a safe, unifying space for fans. Reflecting on the tour, Townshend compared it to the music festivals of the late 60s and early 70s, which brought together different genres and created a sense of togetherness. "It could be heavy music like Led Zeppelin... but also more gentle music like Joni Mitchell," he recalled.
For Townshend, Swift's ability to foster such an inclusive and positive environment is reminiscent of the best qualities of past musical eras.
The legendary guitarist also voiced his support for Swift during her public battle over the rights to her master recordings, calling the situation "heartbreaking." When Swift's former manager Scooter Braun sold the rights to her first six albums, Townshend expressed his sympathy, stating, "She doesn't own the f***ing music. She doesn't own the words."
As Swift continues to re-record her early albums, Townshend's comments highlight the respect she commands, not just among her peers, but among rock legends like himself.
Bd pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
