Pete Townshend Reflects on His Final Conversation with Jimi Hendrix Just Weeks Before His Tragic Death

Fame and icon status often come with the assumption of fortune, but that isn’t always the case. Mismanagement by labels, management, and other business officials can quickly drain an artist’s earnings. In a recent interview with NME, Pete Townshend of The Who sheds light on this harsh reality, recounting the band’s experiences and a poignant final conversation with Jimi Hendrix.

In a candid conversation with NME, Pete Townshend discusses the financial struggles that even the most iconic musicians can face. The Who, despite their legendary status, were not immune to the pitfalls of mismanagement and exploitation by those handling their business affairs.

When asked if it still makes sense for established artists to release new albums, Townshend responds with a laugh, “Haha! It’s never been about the money. The Who never made any money from fucking records anyway. Our managers were criminals. I’d never seen a Who royalty statement prior to our first audit, which we did while we were making Quadrophenia.”

He elaborates on the mismanagement they endured, saying, “It emerged that Kit Lambert [former manager of The Who] had stolen all of my Italian publishing royalties to buy himself a palace in Venice. There are black swans in our business, and they’re the ones that always mop up all the money.”

Townshend then recalls a memorable and somber encounter with the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix in the final weeks before Hendrix’s untimely death. “I saw him in LA in the last two weeks of his life,” Townshend remembers. “He was happy, he was really nice to me, and he hadn’t always been in the past. I said, ‘How you doing?’ and he said, ‘Pete, I’m broke.’ He was huge, and he was broke.”

Despite the financial challenges, Townshend emphasizes that his passion for music was never driven by money. “I lived in a little house in Twickenham by the Thames, I was happy to be by the water. I had one car. I had a tiny little studio, I was really happy. I had a beautiful wife, lovely kids, great friends and never wanted for anything really, except some time to myself and some time to have with my family.”

This heartfelt reflection from Townshend not only highlights the struggles faced by musicians behind the scenes but also underscores the importance of passion and personal contentment over financial gain. His story serves as a reminder of the often unseen challenges that come with fame and the crucial role of integrity and transparency in the music industry.

For more insights from Pete Townshend and to hear about his latest projects, check out the full interview on NME.