Pete Townshend
Veteran Who guitarist Pete Townshend as revealed he is working on a new rock opera, with some of the songs set for inclusion on a new Who record.
Writing on his blog which features on the band’s official website, Townshend said: “I am writing a new musical. Floss is an ambitious new project for me, in the style of Tommy and Quadrophenia. In this case the songs are interspersed with surround-sound ‘soundscapes’ featuring complex sound effects and musical montages.”
“When Walter (a pub rock musician) tries to return to music after a 15-year hiatus,” Townshend said of the musical’s story, “he finds that what he hears and what he composes evoke the ecologically rooted, apocalyptic mindset of his generation. Shaken by this and torn by personal difficulties, he and Floss (Walter’s wife) become estranged.”
After writing the youth anthem ‘My Generation’ in his early twenties, Townshend went on to describe the new approach to music in his later years: “”At 64,” said, “I now want to take on ageing and mortality, using the powerfully angry context of rock’n’roll.”
Townshend, who has already written classic rock operas such as Tommy, in 1969, and Quadrophenia, in 1973, said he hopes to have the project ready by 2011.
Exciting times indeed. With the concept of the project described. I’d certainly be interested in seeing this. Also good news that there should be a new Who album out next year. Now we just need them to tour the UK next year 🙂