Interested, captivated, and delighted

It was a great treat to have Townshend read this himself. I felt like I got to have the conversation that I always wanted with one of my heroes. The early years, the youthful angst, the crazy 60s, the family man, the abuse, and the passion all combined to paint a human portrait of a great artist.

I am fascinated by the post-war era in the UK, and Townshend does a great job of tying together the period before the British Invasion. A bygone period that included Holiday Camps, impoverished children playing in bombed out lots, Skiffle, Mods and Rockers, and a brawling young Roger Daltry. The book is like a great cigar, full of rich flavors and history, and yet still something that you can savor in the moment.

There should probably be a cute wordplay that use the standard “Who” motif, but I am not sure that this would make a good movie. I suppose "Pete Who?" or some such thing.

If you loved Keith Richard's Life, you will love this book as well. If you are a fan of The Who, you will definitely love this book. This said, neither of these are prerequisites, and if you are the type who would simply enjoy listening to a tremendous raconteur cover a fascinating period of history from the front seat, then you will also love this book.

Having never really been a big Who fan I am not quite sure why I choose this title...certainly am happy I did so.....I almost felt I was on the Magic Bus. My preconcieved notions about the members of the band were flat out totally wrong. Pete Townsend I always knew was talented...even though not a big fan anyone who is a peer of those who madeup the British Invasion would have to be deaf not to heard and appreciated at least some of the Who's music. But Pete Townsend is so much more....he has really packed in a massive amount of accomplishments and interests and career's (yes multiple careers-while a rock star) into his life. A truely remarkable man. The only disappointment I had was he mentioned so many cities that he traveled,toured ,vacationed and visited...but when telling the story of Keith Moon driving the Lincoln into the pool at the Holiday Inn...he omitted saying it was in Flint,Michigan...as that is my hometown I wish he had-but then it is his story and his book.
His performance in reading the book was incredible...again far beyond what I could ever have imagined. He told a fascinating story and held my attention with an incredible performance....he proved to me he could perform on many different stages in many numerous ways. Funny it just occured to me how he shared all of his vast accomplishments and never once was he bragging or boastful...in fact quite the opposite...I admire that as well he certainly could have. A great listen-enjoy.

Dear Pete,

I am writing to let you know how much one of your very recent recordings moved me, and warmed my heart. Of course I am speaking of the audio version of your autobiography, “Who I Am,” read by you. It has such an intimate quality that I started to feel like we were great mates back along the way, had lost touch, bumped into each other in a pub, were thrilled to see each other and catch up. We each enjoyed a tall glass of Cool, Cool Rain, as you told the most fascinating stories of the adventure life has been for you since last we met. Wow!

I enjoyed finding out about your love of sailing, I get it, me too. And the story about how your agent got you to go to Woodstock, lock the door and keys out the window, too funny. Glad he did, because that’s where I first saw you in action – no not at the event –but at a four and a half hour premier screening in downtown Chicago, just five months after the event. This was before the movie, ‘Woodstock’ blew up at the Cannes film festival, launching many bands, along with yours, into the stratosphere.

What’s so wonderful about this day and age is I could go online and look up your performances, and video’s. There’s a version of “Who Are You,” from what looks to be the late 60’s that I showed to my 22 year old son and asked him, “Which band member do you think drove a Lincoln Continental into the outdoor pool at a Holiday Inn and got the band thrown out of the Holiday Inn chain for life.” My son doesn’t know much about the band but in this video it became obvious that the drummer was full of the kind of mischief that would find him behind the wheel of such a prank. It was also obvious to me how you could forgive Keith nearly anything with just one of those impish smiles, even your lose of hearing from using too much explosives to blow up his drums.

I also loved seeing you in action on stage in New York performing for all the first responders. WOW! The power that came through you, the band and the songs was phenomenal. Made me realize how much more you have to offer when sober. You literally destroyed that guitar without having to smash it up. And what you call your “spazz dancing” was more like a fiercely vibrant whirling Sufi prayer rocking the audience, and me watching the video. It was the pure essence of you. Thanks.

Glad the Kennedy center honored the two remaining members, loved how Jack Black got you guys to crack up, and then, did I see a few tears?

And to have found romantic love with a talented and creative partner, well that may be your greatest creation, well let’s be fair, at least one of them.

What I love about you most is your loyalty to friends, your passion for creation, and your ability to forgive others.

Your Friend Kevin

Pete's narration makes the book complete, probably the best of the recent rock bios by a good measure. Pete is brutally honest, well worth a listen, my favorite book of the year.

I loved hearing Pete Townshend tell the story of his life. In my opinion, his voice makes this autobiography great. His self-deprecating approach to many of his experiences and praise of many individuals in his life show a side of this musical genius few have ever known, until now.

No

Being a huge fan of The Who and someone who was able to see them live multiple times in all forms of the band, I was truly looking forward to listening to this book. Unfortunately because of my schedule, I was only able to listen in 20 - 40 minute segments. That became an issue when trying to keep all the names straight.

Pete meticulously brings many names to the story; from agents, record people, musicians, sound engineers, girlfriends and acquaintances to family members and influences. If there is any drawback to this book it is that. I believe even someone who is able to listen to the whole book in 2-3 sittings would still get a bit confused keeping all the players straight.

Nevertheless, this a fascinatingly interesting and openly honest story about one of rock n roll's icons.

Real raw truth

great stories

no

kept me very interested from beginning to end

none. really enjoyed this listen!

This is right up there with Keith Richards' bio. If Mr. Townshend ever wants to stop rocking & rolling, he could very easily lend his voice to other audio books. I would never count The Who as my fav band, or PT as my fav guitar slinger, but this was one well written story, full of insights & life. Enjoyed it immensley. Thank you for writing such a great book.

I'm a pretty big Who fan. It was my hope that there'd be some sort of inside stories of how some of my favorite songs came to be which, to fair there are, but not anywhere near enough. I was also hoping to hear some inside stories about the recording process and their legendery screaming matches but alas, only a scant few. The narrative pretty much goes on about his neurosis’ and accompanying substance abuse problems, which is fine. But personally I would have preferred more of the former and less of the latter.

Beyond that, the sniggering smarminess that dominate spots of his narration tend to wear thin after a while and have left me having to listen to this in installments. I havn't even finished listening to the book, but intend to. In conclusion, it's just a difficult listen where I fully expected to devour it.

He can make you forget about yourself, and think about him. Which can be a blessing if you need that kind of escape. I listen to several audio books every week and less than fifteen minutes into this one, I thought, "this is the best damn audio performance I ever heard." Never before have I logged on to find out who the reader was, this time I had to shut off the book to go see. Very surprised and not at the same time, to find it was himself reading his own book.

I remember all of it.

No. I did not even know who he was when I bought the book.

The sailor who fell into grace from the Sea.

By the end of the book he had won my respect and admiration, as a person. Then at the very end, he took it all away. He mentioned all his regards and gratitude in the epilogue, focusing on his children, and never mentioned their mother. A woman who was clearly forgiving against the backdrop of his attempts to waste her through two decades through recklessness. He mentions his girlfriend is wonderful but they do not have children, still it does not matter because she gave him dogs. This bought him back to ordinary people, willing to dabble in injustice as a convenience. He won my heart and then gave it back. I was able to withdraw from the magic of his magnificence, although he drew me in. He provides an entrance to the theater, and then an exit door. Which is more than I can say for most supernaturals.

Pete reads his own story - he's a great guy whom I met and played with once years ago
Very provocative!