# The Who’s Pete Townshend on the birth of heavy metal, Black Sabbath, Hendrix, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-whos-pete-townshend-on-the-birth-of-heavy-metal-black-sabbath-hendrix-ac-dc-and-led-zeppelin/
- Published: 2026-10-28T17:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T04:29:30+00:00
- Original publisher: Louder
- Original article: https://www.loudersound.com/bands-artists/the-who-pete-townshend-on-the-birth-of-heavy-metal-black-sabbath-jimi-hendrix-ac-dc-led-zeppelin
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Townshend links heavy metal to a dark, almost religious outlook.
- He reflects on Sabbath, Hendrix, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin.
- He is trying to contact Jimmy Page.

## Summary

Pete Townshend says heavy metal grew from a dark, almost religious outlook, and reflects on how The Who’s music helped shape the genre. He discusses the influence of Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, while acknowledging that the sound developed through several artists and bands.

Townshend describes heavy metal as rooted in “a sense of darkness” and says he is trying to get in touch with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. The article frames his comments as a look back at the genre’s emergence and the connections between prominent British and American rock musicians.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.