Flash forward four years and Pete is leading one of the UK's greatest rock acts and Tom is a photographer working his craft in the US. During a visit while The Who was on tour with Herman's Hermits, Pete reconnected with Tom, who started snapping some of the band's most iconic and/or interesting photos. Pete, Roger, John, and Keith draped in psychedelic togs while blissed-out in a field. Pete and John cutting backing vocals for "I Can See For Miles" at spider-infested Bradley's Barn studio in Tennessee. Keith happily posing before a birthday greeting on the marquee of a Holiday Inn shortly before he destroyed the place. The whole band filming the daffy "Call My Lightening" promo or on numerous stages, smashing shit up.
These photos are the engine that drives Their Generation: The Who in America 1967-1969, which also boasts text courtesy of one of The Who's top chroniclers, Andy Neill. Like Neill's essential Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere: The Complete Chronicle of The Who 1958-1978, his latest book follows a semi-oral history format, with the writer guiding us through the times Wright's photos chronicle with the assistance of a few guest orators. Pete Townshend contributes so many of these memories that he could have been credited as a co-author. He comments on specific pictures and shares memories of his bandmates, Jimi Hendrix, Herman's Hermits, jazz great Cannonball Adderley, ex-wife Karen Astley, and of course, his friend Tom Wright. They must have been pretty tight because Pete really commits to his role and is largely responsible for making Their Generation as much fun to read as it is to look at.
