Pete Townshend has recalled his uncomfortable first meeting with Marvin Gaye, whom he described as one of his musical heroes, saying he found it hard to see the soul singer in such poor condition. The Who guitarist made the remarks while discussing the making of the band's 1981 album Face Dances, revealing that meeting his idol in person proved a dispiriting experience rather than the inspiring one he might have expected.

Townshend explained that the encounter happened when producer Bill Szymczyk booked Odyssey Studios in London for a test session, chosen because it housed an American MCI recording board needed for the album. It was there that Townshend crossed paths with Gaye, who he said was "in terrible shape – worse than me". The meeting came not long after Gaye had released the bleak, confessional Here, My Dear, and only a few years before his death; Townshend noted that Gaye never seemed to recapture happiness in his remaining years, despite the brief creative resurgence of songs like "Sexual Healing".