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The Who’s Pete Townshend on the birth of heavy metal, Black Sabbath, Hendrix, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin
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.
In short
- 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.
Explained simply
The Who were a British rock band formed in the 1960s, with Pete Townshend as their guitarist and songwriter. Their loud playing, distorted guitar and forceful performances helped shape the sound of later rock music.
Heavy metal developed from rock in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as musicians built on louder guitars, heavier rhythms and darker themes. Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix are among the artists often linked to its early development; AC/DC became a major band in the genre later on.
The genre did not have a single inventor: different musicians influenced one another and took its sound in new directions. Looking at those connections helps explain how heavy metal emerged and why its origins are still discussed.