Simon Townshend

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Simon Townshend
Simon Townshend (left) with Roger Daltrey at the 2006 Who Convention
Simon Townshend (left) with Roger Daltrey at the 2006 Who Convention
Background information
Born October 10, 1960 (1960-10-10) (age 47)
England
Genre(s) Rock
Hard rock
Mod Rock
Acoustic
Instrument(s) Guitar
Years active 1983 - Present
Associated acts The Who
Casbah Club
Website Official website
Notable instrument(s)
Current: Fender Stratocaster with P-90 pick ups

Simon Townshend (born October 10, 1960) is a British guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is the younger brother of The Who's Pete Townshend.

An accomplished musician, Simon has released several solo albums, the first being Sweet Sound (1983), followed by Moving Target (1985). After starting his own record label and production company, Stir Music, he released several other albums including studio and live performances. Simon joined The Who as a second guitarist for their Quadrophenia Tour in 1996 and 1997. He later rejoined the band as a full touring member in 2002 and has played with them on each of their tours since. Simon also joined Casbah Club in 2004, which includes Bruce Foxton (The Jam) and Mark Brzezicki (Big Country) and Bruce Watson (Big Country). He functions as lead guitarist, lead vocalist and songwriter.

In 2006 Simon went on tour with The Who where he, during the European leg of the tour, played a support set with Casbah Club before playing as part of the headlining act (See The Who Tour 2006-2007). Townshend played rhythm guitar, mandolin, and performed backing vocals. He played a modified Fender Stratocaster with P-90 pick ups, usually featured on the Gibson Les Paul and SG "Junior", such as the SG Pete Townshend used to play in the seventies.

His first acknowledged collaboration with his brother, Pete, as well as the rest of The Who, involved participation as one of the supporting choralists for Ken Russell's film adaptation of Tommy. Townshend also appeared on his brother's solo album The Iron Man: A Musical, singing on the song "Man Machines" and an alternate version of "Dig." He also appeared on the recent Who album Endless Wire, in which he sang backing vocals.

Simon is married to Janie Townshend with whom he has three children. The couple broke up after each conducted extramarital affairs, they got back together however after a period of time. His song "Girl In New York" was written for her. Simon has since remained married to her.

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