27 Jan 2013
Pete Townshend Honoured with Les Paul Award at 2012 Tec Awards – watch it on video
Photo: Le Studio
Last night, Pete Townshend was honoured with the prestigious Les Paul Award at the 28th annual Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards. The award was presented by Martin Lewis, co-creator of the Secret Policeman’s Ball, and, representing the Les Paul Foundation, Jeff Salmon.
Previous winners include Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Lindsey Buckingham, Neil Young and The Band‘s Robbie Robertson.
Two special tributes were made to Pete by two close friends.
Mick Jagger wrote: “I can’t think of anyone better to receive this wonderful award than Pete Townshend. Pete has been an innovative guitarist and songwriter for as long as I can remember, which is indeed, a very, very long time.”
And in a video message, Paul McCartney said, “We all know you deserve it, because man, we go back. I have so many great memoriess of you and the band and the music … to this day, you’re just great.”
To read more and to watch a video of the award ceremony, including Paul McCartney’s video message, go to USA TODAY.
It certainly took them long enough. Lindsey Buckingham before Pet Townsend? smh
Well done Guv!
Pete deserved it, as he deserves any other award that involves musical or technical creativity! Keep on being awesome, Pete!
A plaque? What am I supposed to do with this? I play guitar, How about a Les Paul??
Pete, congrats! I’m a huge fan, I know
your history, I love the music you’ve put out over the decades, it’s incredible! Thank you for all you’ve done to shape my life, and others around me!
Lovely and due.
Congratulations, Pete! Nobody deserves it more. Now will people or voters come to their senses and induct this genius into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame!
A great award for an amazing artist, musicam, and man. You rock Pete!
Congrats Pete!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am very happy for Pete that this award has been given. I have followed the Who for the past 40 some years and consider Pete Townshend to not only be my favorite singer, composer and guitar hero, but a unique wizard in the creation of music.
Was there any discussion about how many Les Paul’s you might have broken during your years on stage? Who knows how much business you might have created for them. 😉 Congratulations.
Many Congratulations. A well deserved award that truly honours the legend that is Pete Townshend. See you on the UK Quadrophenia Tour. The Who rocks!! x
Good for you. You and Roger should spend the rest of your lives getting awards. At least once a month with great free dinners thrown in to boot.
Whatta bunch of dummies on the Honours Committee. No knighthood. I was annoyed that they didn’t even throw a MBE your way this year.
I say throw the House of Lords out on the street and replace them all with rock musicians and British comics. We’ll keep the Windsors around, of course, out of respect for tradition and because they can be a fun family.
Eddie Izzard and what remains of the Pythons will be masters of ceremony.
The tourists will love it.
You and Roger will both get to be marquesses.
You’ll get a bigger, better boat.
Eric Clapton will get an estate in Scotland chock full of great fishing streams for his own private use.
You guys all earned it.
Keep up the good work.
About fucking time!!!
About plucking time!!!!
Congrats Pete, well deserved. I have just finished reading your book and did not realise before just how much influence and achievement you have been involved in. A Master talent and creative genius. Cheers (non- alcoholic) to you.Chris
Congratulations Pete.
So very well deserved.
Long overdue to say the least! Will you appear in New York this year to finally accept your induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame?