This month, the theme is The Who and Interviews. To quote a song from another great London group:
"Now the Melody Maker want to interview me
And ask me 'bout my politics and theories on religion".
Page updated September 1, 2026. This is a highly abridged version of what happened to and around The Who in September. Click for access to the full history.
September 1965
New music releases: "Yesterday" - The Beatles; "The Sounds of Silence" - Simon & Garfunkel; Going Places - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass; Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul - Otis Redding
On the 10th, Life magazine prints an article on The Beatles. Ringo, asked if The Beatles are a "pop-art" band, says that would be The Who. "It's a new group. When they play, they slowly smash their instruments to bits."
On the 18th, Keith Moon is interviewed by Melody Maker. "Yes, I do play very loudly and use the drums to their full extent. I keep very close with the bass player, who is just as extrovert in playing as I am. I try to get a jerky complicated beat, especially between my bass drum and snare drum." The article reports Keith's kit is about to be changed to two 14x9 tom toms, two 16x20 tom toms, a metal shell 14x5½ snare drum, a 22x15 bass drum, 20 and 18-inch cymbals and a pair of 15-inch hi-hat cymbals.
On the 25th, a Pete Townshend interview appears in Melody Maker. "Now I listen to Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery, most of the guitarists' guitarists although I can't use anything they do."
In the latest issue of Rave (Oct. 1965), the magazine asks Pete and Roger Daltrey about their theories on religion. Pete: "I believe in the power of thought rather than religion. If millions of people think there’s a God, they create one." Roger: "I don’t have any religion. Clergymen are con men in dog collars. Who needs comfort from religion. Not me. Sleep is nice; I like my car and seeing the other ‘Who’ unhappy".
September 1966
New music releases: "Knock on Wood" - Eddie Floyd; The Mamas & The Papas - The Mamas & The Papas; Bert Kaempfert's Greatest Hits - Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra; The Best of The Lettermen - The Lettermen
On the 3rd, Ronnie Lane of Mod band The Small Faces reviews "I'm A Boy" in Blind Date in Melody Maker: "I missed the beginning, can you put it on again? It's The Who, isn't it? I recognized the backing, but it didn't sound like them vocally, although it does if you've heard the LP. Yeah! I like this. It's great. Must be Pete's. Can I hear it again? I don't think it's as commercial as some of their others. I can't hear what it's all about, but I don't want to say that, because I can't stand people who moan, 'I can't hear the words!' This needs something catchy, but there's some great sounds there."
On the 13th, The Who record a radio appearance for the BBC Light Programme Saturday Club at The Playhouse performing "I'm A Boy," "Disguises," "Heatwave" "So Sad About Us," and a cover of the Lovin' Spoonful's "On the Road Again." Speaking of being on the road, Pete announces on the show that the soon-commencing U.K. theatre tour will be cut short so that the group can make its first trip to America.
"The mute Who speaks up about the others" is New Musical Express' title for an interview with John Entwistle in their issue of the 16th. He opens up with his feelings about the other members: "Keith is a really great guy and he's my best friend. Pete I've known for years and he needs a lot of getting used to. And Roger? -- add the first two together, multiply by three and take away the number you thought of!". He admits that he and Keith were going to leave the group in May, but things have settled down since then.
Disc and Music Echo says The Who are halfway through recording their new album that will include the songs "Disguises," "Happy Jack" and "King Rabbit." In the same issue Pete says that he was the first guitarist to deliberately use guitar feedback, and he is upset when he hears credit given to The Beatles or The Yardbirds. He also takes time to slam The Beach Boys' landmark album Pet Sounds. Despite his recent remarks (2011), at the time he didn't care for it calling it "too remote and way-out. It's written for a feminine audience."
Roger is interviewed in the Record Mirror of the 17th. On the new LP he says, "We’ve recorded a version of ‘Barbara Ann’ for the LP and there’s also Pete’s song ‘So Sad About Us’ which flopped for the Merseys. For the never-say-die Who fans we’ve included ‘Heat Wave’ but the track I like best so far is Pete’s ‘Disguises’." He adds, "I can't see us lasting longer than three years."
More articles on the 24th. Roger has a "Pop Think-In" in Melody Maker. He declares his respect for fast cars, The Beach Boys, John, Pete and The Beatles, his attraction to Mick Jagger and his lack of respect for Playboy bunnies, the Windsor Festival, Carnaby Street, pills, parents and "all films with birds."
Pete reviews that week's singles chart in Disc & Music Echo. He calls The Mindbenders' "Ashes To Ashes," "so nothing I can't remember it," Otis Reddings' "I Can't Turn You Loose," "the worst record in the chart," and the New Vaudeville Band's "Winchester Cathedral," "rubbish." Meanwhile, in the same issue, Keith answers readers' questions.
September 1967
New music releases: "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong; "People Are Strange" - The Doors; Strange Days - The Doors; "Soul Man" - Sam & Dave
On the 8th, Bill Kerby of the Los Angeles Free Press interviews Roger. Kerby says, "If I were an agent, I wouldn't book Jesus Christ doing a guest set with The Beatles to come on after The Who."
On the 16th, Chris Stamp tells Disc magazine that Pete's new rock opera "Rael" will either be The Who's next single in Britain or will appear on the new album they plan to release in October.
In the issue of the 23rd, Disc and Music Echo interviews Kathleen Moon, Keith's mother; "Then you read all these stories about drugs, and so on. And that's a worry, too. But Keith is very sensible and has never given us a moment of trouble."
September 1968
New music releases: "All Along the Watchtower" - The Jimi Hendrix Experience; "Little Green Apples" - O.C. Smith; "Magic Carpet Ride" - Steppenwolf; "Stormy" - Classics IV
On the 21st, Melody Maker prints an interview with Pete where he comes out for the first time as being against LSD: "Before I took LSD, I tried to imagine what it would be like and when I did it was as big as I expected and blew my head off. So, if I could imagine what it would be like, what is the point of taking it? All drugs do is strengthen the illusion of what you see around you. If you see a piece of orange peel lying on the pavement, it's stupid to try and see it as anything other than a piece of orange peel. Things do tend to get out of perspective." He also mentions the planned Live at the Fillmore album: "it came out pretty badly. We’re not as good as [Cream]. We jump about too much, which people expect from us on stage, and you can't play so well."
On the 22nd, Pete is interviewed again, this time in The New York Times. He reiterates his preference for U.S. touring and discusses The Who's new opera.
On the 27th, Pete appears on BBC overseas radio discussing the Who's future.
September 1970
New music releases: Abraxas - Santana; Paranoid - Black Sabbath; After The Gold Rush - Neil Young; "Wild World" - Cat Stevens
Hit Parader has an interview with Pete in which he calls "Dogs" and "Magic Bus" corny and says Tommy is overrated. The magazine also contains an article on The Who's roadies.
September 1971
New music releases: Imagine - John Lennon; Santana III - Santana; Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 - Johnny Cash; "Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves" - Cher
On the 9th, International Times magazine publishes a statement questioning the song "Won't Get Fooled Again" for its negative view of the Revolution. "...the danger in the new single seems to be that it fails to differentiate between the megalomanias and the courageous individual who is prepared to stand up and voice the sentiment 'fuck you' to authority." Following the statement is Pete's reply. He describes the song as "...mainly a song which screams defiance at those who feel that any cause is better than no cause, that death in a sick society is better than putting up with it or resigning themselves to wait for change."
September 1974
New music releases: Serenade - Neil Diamond; Crime of the Century - Supertramp; Photographs & Memories - Jim Croce; "Magic" - Pilot
On the 6th, John appears on BBC Radio 1's Roundtable.
Pete discusses the songs selected for Odds & Sods with Nicky Horne on Capitol Radio's Your Mother Wouldn't Like It. During the call-in section, John phones to ask Pete what time he's going to arrive at Roger's that Sunday.
On the 26th, Pete is interviewed for the first part of a four-part interview program with The Who for BBC Radio 1.
September 1975
New music releases: Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd; "Mamma Mia" - ABBA; "Wish You Were Here" - Pink Floyd; Windsong - John Denver
During this month, Keith is interviewed in his bathrobe at his Sherman Oaks home by Tony Palmer for a television special. He is also filmed recording a new song "Do Me Good".
September 1977
New music releases: The Stranger - Billy Joel; Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II - Elton John; "Vienna" - Billy Joel; Simple Dreams - Linda Ronstadt
On the 17th, Pete and Ronnie Lane discuss their new album and their love of Meher Baba in Melody Maker. Pete also blasts the punk rock group The Stranglers who had been critical of The Who but shows his sympathy with punk rock. "In my imagination I invented punk rock a thousand times. I thought the hypocrisy of the position we were in was just unbelievable."
On the 26th, Pete and Ronnie Lane are interviewed on BBC2's The Old Grey Whistle Test to promote Rough Mix.
September 1978
New music releases: "Le Freak" - Chic; Pieces of Eight - Styx; Parallel Lines - Blondie; Living in the USA - Linda Ronstadt
On the 7th, the same day as Keith's death, a new issue of Rolling Stone hits the stands with a cover story about The Who written by Dave Marsh. In an interview Keith talks about his new enthusiasm about The Who and the need to discipline his life.
Creem carries a lengthy article about The Who written before Keith's death by Barbara Charone. Pete is not concerned by punk rock bands' and critics' attacks on The Who and Charone says some of the songs on Who Are You rank with The Who's best.
International Musician and Recording World has a Keith Moon interview as its cover story. In his last magazine interview, a quite sober Keith discusses how he plans to adapt his drumming to cope with the new synthesized drum kits and how the big band drummers of the swing era were a bigger influence on his style than rock 'n' roll drummers. He adds that work on The Who's films is keeping him busy. The last line, concerning future Who concerts, is "We've just got so much to do first".
On the 19th, Roger appears on The Old Grey Whistle Test to show a clip from The Kids Are Alright. A review of the show in Melody Maker says that the segment was shot after Keith's death and Roger "handled the situation with affection, respect and realism."
September 1979
New music releases: The Long Run - The Eagles; Head Games - Foreigner; Kenny - Kenny Rogers; Eat to the Beat - Blondie
On the 7th, BBC's Talking Pictures airs a special on the making of the Quadrophenia movie featuring interviews with Sting, Roger and John.
September 1980
New music releases: Kenny Rogers' Greatest Hits - Kenny Rogers; Guilty - Barbra Streisand; Blizzard of Ozz - Ozzy Osbourne; "Crazy Train" - Ozzy Osbourne
Us magazine does an interview with Roger on the 30th. He complains about the effect of touring on his nerves: "I'm edgy after I finish a tour. After weeks of being exposed to the din of loud music, all sounds play on my sensitivity. I can't bear bells, shouting, even the hum of an electric razor. It takes about a month to adjust."
September 1982
New music releases: "Rock the Casbah" - The Clash; "Maneater" - Daryl Hall & John Oates; Love Over Gold - Dire Straits; Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 2 - Olivia Newton-John
Roger Daltrey tells Rolling Stone that the upcoming Who tour will be the last one as The Who need to step aside for newer acts.
September 1985
New music releases: In Square Circle - Stevie Wonder; Hounds of Love - Kate Bush; Alabama Christmas - Alabama; "Party All The Time" - Eddie Murphy
Roger travels to the U.S. to promote his new solo album Under a Raging Moon being interviewed on New York City's 92 K-Rock on the 3rd and making a appearance on MTV on the 9th. He also shows up on David Brenner's radio show.
On the 18th, Roger is back in the U.K. promoting his album on Good Morning Britain followed by a short interview on BBC Radio One's News Beat. On the 21st, he appears on the children's programme Saturday Picture Show.
Also on the 30th, Pete appears on NBC's Today show promoting his new album White City, film and book Horse's Neck.
September 1989
New music releases: "We Didn't Start the Fire" - Billy Joel; Pump - Aerosmith; Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 - Janet Jackson; Foreign Affair - Tina Turner
Part one of a two-part Pete interview is the cover story on this month's Guitar Player. A lot of the first part concerns how Pete has adapted his guitar playing to accommodate his tinnitus problem.
On the 19th, Timothy White's Rock Stars radio program is broadcast featuring an interview with Pete. He airs a new demo called "Penny Drop". The interview, in print form the next year, will be the basis for the "Pete Is Gay" rumor.
September 1994
New music releases: Monster - R.E.M.; Ready To Die - The Notorious B.I.G.; Under the Table and Dreaming - Dave Matthews Band; four - Blues Traveler
Late in the month Pete is interviewed in his Richmond home by Cass Browne of The Senseless Things for Mojo Magazine. Also, during this month, Pete and Karen's 25-year marriage comes to a de facto conclusion as the two decide to separate but there is no public announcement for five years.
September 1999
New music releases: Human Clay - Creed; Reload - Tom Jones; "All the Small Things" - Blink-182; Brand New Day - Sting
On the 30th, actor Peter Gallagher appears on NBC-TV's Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Gallagher says he has recently been working with Pete in New York on Saturdays. The two have been workshopping a stage version of Psychoderelict.
September 2001
New music releases: "In the End" - Linkin Park; Silver Side Up - Nickelback; Toxicity - System of a Down; "In Too Deep" - Sum 41
On the 19th, Roger is quoted in the Dallas Morning News saying he is listening to Eminem's CD The Eminem Show and declaring it "genius."
September 2003
New music releases: "Mr. Brightside" - The Killers; Speakerboxxx/The Love Below - Outkast; Life for Rent - Dido; "Numb" - Linkin Park
On the 28th, The Times profiles John Entwistle's mansion Quarwood in its property section. His son Chris says he has decided to sell: "Now dad's no longer here, the spark that made me love it has gone. It was always dad's place and without him it's not the same."
September 2004
New music releases: American Idiot - Green Day; Feels Like Today - Rascal Flatts; Goodies - Ciara; "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" - My Chemical Romance
On the 6th, in an interview at the website Jewsweek.com, actor Jeremy Piven, also a drummer, expresses interest in portraying Keith Moon in a biopic.
September 2006
New music releases: "Welcome to the Black Parade" - My Chemical Romance; FutureSex/LoveSounds - Justin Timberlake; "When You Were Young" - The Killers; Sam's Town - The Killers
On the 1st, actor Jason Statham tells reporters he wants to play Roger Daltrey in a biopic. "I like Roger Daltrey...He was brilliant in McVicar. If I could sing like him, I'd probably have a different career. He's got a great voice. If they do a biopic, maybe they'll choose me. That'll be nice."
Pete and Roger are on the cover of the Observer Music Monthly. The article details some of the problems Pete had getting Roger interested in songs built around his novella The Boy Who Heard Music.
September 2007
New music releases: "No One" - Alicia Keys; Graduation - Kanye West; "Don't Stop the Music" - Rihanna; "Apologize" - Timbaland featuring OneRepublic
On the 5th, The Sun prints an open letter by "Roger Daltrey (still rocking at 63)" about young British stars who seem to be heading towards an early death. "Watching Pete Doherty and indeed Amy Winehouse is very sad...There's a bathroom floor waiting somewhere for him...I don't know how to help Amy. It doesn't help if I tell her I've seen it all before and this is what is going to happen...She can't really want to kill herself, can she?" Winehouse will die of alcohol poisoning less than four years later.
September 2008
New music releases: "Poker Face" - Lady Gaga; Only by the Night - Kings of Leon; "Love Story" - Taylor Swift; "Gives You Hell" - The All-American Rejects
On the 3rd, as a follow-up to stories in the press about guitarist Ronnie Wood leaving rehab, The Sun reports that Pete Townshend has gallantly offered his West London home as a halfway house. Ronnie declines, preferring to go move in with his new 20-year-old waitress girlfriend.
On the 27th, in response to questions from fans at thewho.com, Pete rules out a Who covers album: "Recording an album without my songs? What would be the point of that?" He also adds that his autobiography is currently "on ice."
September 2009
New music releases: "Meet Me Halfway" - The Black Eyed Peas; "Break Your Heart" - Taio Cruz; Man on the Moon: The End of Day - Kid Cudi; "All the Right Moves" - OneRepublic
On the 28th, Pete is interviewed on the programme Night Waves on the U.K.'s classical music station BBC Radio 3. A major topic is the influence of auto-destructive artist Gustav Metger who currently has a retrospective of his six-decade artistic career in London.
September 2010
New music releases: "Pumped Up Kicks" - Foster The People; "Only Girl (In the World)" - Rihanna; "Jar of Hearts" - Christina Perri; "Black and Yellow" - Wiz Khalifa
On the 24th, Roger is interviewed on thewho.com. He says it was Pete Townshend's decision not to perform "It's Not Enough" from the album Endless Wire live: "Pete said it had no dynamic... it's just a rant."
September 2013
New music releases: "Take Me to Church" - Hozier; AM - Arctic Monkeys; Nothing Was the Same - Drake; "Team" - Lorde
On the 23rd, the AXS Channel in the U.S. plays an episode of The Big Interview consisting of Roger being interviewed by U.S. newsman Dan Rather.
September 2016
New music releases: "Say You Won't Let Go" - James Arthur; "Starboy" - The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk; "Black Beatles" - Rae Sremmurd featuring Gucci Mane; "Love on the Brain" - Rihanna
On the 7th, Roger gives a talk at the opening of the exhibit "You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966-1970" at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
September 2018
New music releases: "Drip Too Hard" - Lil Baby and Gunna; "Shallow" - Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper; "Better" - Khalid; "Wake Up in the Sky" - Gucci Mane, Bruno Mars and Kodak Black
On the 5th, The Mirror reports that Roger is angry with Elton John because he cannot reach Elton to perform at his Teenage Cancer Trust concerts. "I have done his charity three times, it’s about time he did one for me. I can’t get through to him any other way, I have tried."
On the 10th, The Sun reports that Roger does not care for the singing style of most female singers. "The problem is a lot of the female singers are wearing these ear monitors, so they sing quiet, and that changes their voice. It goes up into the head and starts coming through the nose and they sound like Mickey Mouse. I find it soulless because it’s not come from the heart. Adele can sing, she’s got a very limited range, she’s a good singer." He does, however, like Ed Sheeran's singing: "He’s a fabulous guy. Everything you see is what he is. He’s so talented. I’ve got so much admiration for him. His voice is so pure and powerful. He sings from the heart."
September 2020
New Music Releases: "Heather" - Conan Gray; "Holy" - Justin Bieber featuring Chance the Rapper; "The Business" - Tiësto; "Hit Different" - SZA featuring Ty Dolla Sign
On the 22nd, Geddy Lee of Rush tells an interviewer that the greatest album of all time is Who's Next and Pete Townshend is the greatest songwriter.
On the 27th, Roger is interviewed at home about the problems raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust as Covid-19 rages on.
September 2021
New Music Releases: "Shivers" - Ed Sheeran; "Big Energy" - Latto; "Until I Found You" - Stephen Sanchez; "Ghost" - Justin Bieber
On the 3rd, The Rock Project launches a new show called "Broadway Rocks the Who" where Broadway singers put their talent to Who songs.
Pete records the song "Can't Outrun the Truth" in his home studio. It is written by his wife Rachel.
On the 24th, two years after its release, the album WHO is awarded Gold status by the BPI.
On the 30th, the Daily Mail reports that Pete has sold his home The Wick to an unnamed buyer for £15million. The buyer will later be revealed to be the artist Damien Hurst.
