The University of West London has announced the opening of The Townshend Studio, a new electronic music studio that features the amazing synth collection of rock legend Pete Townshend.
While Townshend is best known as the primary songwriter of The Who, he’s also a pioneer in the use of synthesizers in popular music.
In 1971 – a year where the charts were dominated by the likes of The Osmonds, and a year before Stevie Wonder’s released the first album of his TONTO era – The Who released Who’s Next. The album featured Baba O’Riley and Won’t Get Fooled Again, tracks which used synths and electronics to create effects inspired by the music of American minimalists, notably Terry Riley.
The Townshend Studio was unveiled on Thursday 10 October at the University’s Ealing site. The new studio arose from Townshend looking for a home for his synthesizers, to leave a legacy for the next generation.
The collection includes some of the most influential instruments in the development of electronic music, along with some modern ‘dream synths’.
These include the ARP Model 2500 used on ‘Quadrophenia’; the rare Yamaha GX-1, one of only 10 made; a Moog System 35; an EMS Synthi 100; an Analogue Solutions Colossus; a Roland Jupiter-8; a Yamaha CS-80; a Yamaha GX-1 and more.
You can find out more about the studio and its collection at the University site.
A fine collection. An honourable legacy.
A truly fabulous and generous gift – great to see.
Cheaper than hiring a dumpster 😉
V cool thing to do
love those rolling desks.
He’s been keeping current with the monster synths!
Any Who fans know what he’s been doing with these gorgeous instruments?
It’ll be a bit more on the historical side than a practical one where the modulars are concerned. It takes loads of serious time to get the goods from them. The Jupiter-8, CS-80 and GX-1 will be more immediately useful. Imagine booking a session on THOSE Yamahas. Classy way to further things, Pete!