Pete Townshend attended the official launch ceremony of the Townshend Studio that was held at the University of West London in Ealing last week on 10 October. The new studio features an amazing collection of vintage synthesisers, organs, electric pianos, and other equipment that Pete generously donated from his personal collection.
The Townshend Studio is located at the former location of Ealing School of Art where Pete attended college in the early 60’s and studied under a pioneer of new media, Roy Ascott. He has described his time there as “a revelation” and has credited Ascott’s teaching with informing his vision for The Who.
Pete wanted to leave behind a legacy of his electronic instruments for the next generation of artists at the school that was such a huge influence on his own creative beginnings. The studio is part of UWL’s London College of Music, and will be available for students to use in the exploration of new musical ideas.
“It’s my hope that the studio will be a creative space for learning, collaboration, experimentation and play, inspired by the musical and artistic legacy of Ealing, an area integral to the development of British music in the 1960s,” said Pete Townshend.
To celebrate the grand opening, Pete unveiled a plaque for the studio, and sat down for an on stage interview with journalist and author Will Hodgkinson, to chat about his time at art school and the important role synthesisers have played in his music. The evening was introduced by Sarah Raybould, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and former Director of the London College of Music. Pete was also made an honorary professor of the University.
The event was attended by over 300 guests, who also got to tour the studio and see all the fantastic synthesizer displays and informative plaques.
The collection includes some of the most influential synths that were pioneers in the early days of electronic music, including the ARP 2500 (1970), EMS Synthi 100 (1971), 2015 reissues of the Moog System 35 (1973) and Moog Model 15 (1974), Yahama GX-1 (1975), Synclavier 3200 (1977), Yahama CS-80 (1977), Roland Jupiter-8 (1981), Prophet-10 (1982), Yamaha DX-1 (1983), Minimoog Voyager XL (2010), and Analogue Solutions Colossus (2020).
Some of the instruments were heavily featured on classic Who albums such as the Lowrey Berkshire organ and EMS VCS3 synth (Baba O’Riley and Won’t Get Fooled Again), and the ARP 2500 (Quadrophenia and Tommy film soundtrack).
How exciting that these legendary instruments are now on display and available to use to create new music for the next generation of musicians!
Congratulations to Pete Townshend and the UWL for the successful launch of the Townshend Studio!
For more information, please visit the UWL website.
To read more about the history of Pete Townshend’s groundbreaking synth work, check out our extensive electronic music article.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed all the wonderful photos from the event and studio!
Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Photo credit: Horace Austin
Photo credit: Horace Austin
Photo credit: Horace Austin
Photo credit: Horace Austin
Photo credit: Tom Matchett
Townshend Studio plaque. Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
ARP Model 2500 (1970). Photo credit: Horace Austin
ARP Model 2500 (1970). Photo credit: Tom Matchett
ARP Model 2500 (1970). Photo credit: Tom Matchett
ARP 2500 plaque. Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Lowrey Berkshire organ (1966) and EMS "Putney" VCS 3 synth. Photo credit: Horace Austin
Lowrey Berkshire organ switches. Photo credit: Derick Bhupsingh
EMS Synthi 100 (1971). Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
EMS Synthi 100 (1971). Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
EMS Vocoder. Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Moog System 35 (1973) 2015 reissue. Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Moog System 35 plaque. Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Moog Model 15 (1974) 2015 reissue. Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Moog Model 15 (1974) 2015 reissue. Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Moog Model 15 plaque. Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Rhodes Eighty-Eight electric piano that Stevie Wonder gave to Pete Townshend. Photo credit: Derick Bhupsingh
Wurlitzer Student Electric Piano. Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Yahama GX-1 Electone (1975). Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Yahama CS-80 synth (1977). Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Yahama CS-80 plaque. Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Synclavier 3200 synth (1977). Photo credit: Derick Bhupsingh
Synclavier 3200 synth plaque. Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Roland Jupiter-8 synth (1981). Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Roland Jupiter-8 plaque. Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Prophet-10 synth (1982). Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Prophet-10 plaque. Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Yahama DX1 synth (1983). Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Yahama DX1 plaque. Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Minimoog Voyager XL synth (2010). Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Minimoog Voyager XL plaque. Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Analogue Solutions Colossus synth (2020). Photo credit: Tom Matchett
Analogue Solutions Colossus synth (2020). Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Analogue Solutions Colossus plaque. Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Photo credit: Horace Austin
Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Melissa and Gary Hurley
Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Pete at Ealing School of Art in the early 60's.
Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
Photo credit: Lauren J. Hammer
