Pete Townshend Announces New Box Set, ‘The Studio Albums’
The collection includes all of Townshend’s solo studio albums for the first time.
A new Pete Townshend box set is on its way: Pete Townshend — The Studio Albums includes all of Townshend’s solo studio albums for the first time.
The collection, which will be available on March 28, features newly remastered music (courtesy of British producer/engineer Jon Astley), expanded deluxe packaging in a CD-sized box with new art by longtime Townshend collaborator Richard Evans, sleeve notes by band archivist Matt Kent, a new exclusive foreword by Townshend, and rare photos and memorabilia in a 28-page book.
The box set features seven albums: Who Came First, Rough Mix (with Ronnie Lane), Empty Glass, All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes, White City (A Novel), The Iron Man: The Musical by Pete Townshend, and Psychoderelict, as well as the music-only version of Psychoderelict.
Townshend is, of course, famously known as the co-founder and one of the leading members of British rock band The Who, one of the most influential rock acts in music history. To Townshend, though, “I find it impossible to see the two careers as two separate careers. When you’re holding a pen, you can only write one letter at a time.”
Pete Townshend — The Studio Albums arrives after last year’s Live In Concert 1985-2001 box set. It also follows The Who’s recent announcement of a recurring poster and t-shirt series, which is part of the band’s 60th anniversary celebration. The first drop pays homage to one of the band’s earliest singles, “I Can’t Explain.” The Who famously played the 1965 single during their television debut on the UK’s celebrated TV music show of the 1960s, Ready Steady Go!.
Meanwhile, this summer will see the world premiere of Quadrophenia, A Mod Ballet, based on The Who’s album of the same name, written by Townshend. The production will tour Plymouth Theatre Royal, Edinburgh Festival Theatre and the Mayflower in Southampton before officially opening at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London, which will run from June 24 to July 13. It will also visit The Lowry in Salford in 2025.
