Today (May 19, 2015) is Pete Townshend’s 70th birthday – so, to celebrate, here are 10 classic clips from across the years.

These videos span five decades, from his early days as a 19-year-old Mod with The High Numbers, to The Who’s phenomenal 1970 Isle Of Wight show, and on to the formidable might of Townshend onstage in the noughties.

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The current issue of Uncut, still available in shops this week, also features Townshend on the cover, and inside, he discusses retirement, the future of The Who, his relationship with Roger Daltrey and his thoughts on the big 7-0…

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The High Numbers
The Railway Hotel, 1964

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The Who
5th National Jazz And Blues Festival, Richmond, London, 1965

 

The Who
“I Can See For Miles”
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, 1967

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYkGimCrcRg

 

The Who
“My Generation”
Woodstock, 1969

 

The Who
“Young Man Blues”
Isle Of Wight festival, 1970

 

The Who
“The Real Me”
Cow Palace, San Francisco, 1973

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7GycvuGjwk

 

Pete Townshend in his home studio

 

The Who
“Won’t Get Fooled Again”
Shepperton Studios, London, 1978

 

Pete Townshend
“Rough Boys”
Brooklyn Academy Of Music, NY, 1993

 

The Who
“Baba O’Riley”
Roskilde festival, Denmark, 2007