Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just wondering what you lot thought! about petes guitar rage! yes or no ?

I think it's a waste of a guitar, personally. The Fender and Gibson solids can stand the beatings, but the Ric Rose Morris models, it a damn shame! If only Pete would know how rare they'd end up in the future, he probably wouldn't have smashed them. He owns a few original RMs because he felt bad for the early days.

I heard the first time he did it was because his AC100 blew up (as they were notoriously wont to do) and he got mad at it. The audience loved it (as did I) so he kept it in the act.

The real story is that they were playing in a venue with a low ceiling and he smashed the headstock on the ceiling during one of his acrobatic moves. The audience went wild thinking he did it on purpose and the rest is history.

It was a waste of a guitar to an extent, but at the same time, it helped cement
The Who's reputation as a dynamite live act.

A 'sacrifice that had to be made?'
Perhaps yes or perhaps not..

I used to think it was cool when I was a lot younger. I've grown to respect the instruments too much, though.

Complete waste and a disrespect to the instrument makers....
Don't smash it Pete, if you don't want it anymore just give it to some poor dude (or dudette) who can't afford one!
Eden.

He was the first, and though I love Ricks, it really was a statement. It's part of the Who and I love Pete all the more for it. Besides, he got some of the best sounds ever out a Rick, so you have to cut him some slack!

Every time I bring my Ricks to a show I have a secret fear that some drunk's going to recognize the make, think of Pete Townsend, and El kabong the guitar, or else chant "smash it, smash it" when I'm wearing one around my neck on stage.

It is of course a major part of the legendary band. In the 60's when I first saw the Who I wanted Keith to blow up the drums but when Pete smashed a SG Special...well it was just painfull. I had to spend 9 monthes packing grocery bags in a market [proper hair cut required] to get a gibson. A RICKENBACKER, God spare us!!!

I'm all in favor...it's so much a part of his image. I especially think it's great that he was smashing up some of the rarest, most expensive guitars in Britain at the time!

I hear you Dan but its like taking a Dusenburg to a demolition derby

just for the record id say Yeah smash those baby's to smithereens!

Lead by example Scotty, and post the pix of the remains here!

Peter i have they are in my avatar!