Pete Townshend Quotes

The last time I saw Elvis was when I played my second New Year's Eve show for him in 1970.

What makes you a rock star is what are you able to do when you get behind that microphone, when you put that guitar in your hands, when you wield those drumsticks, and when you raise your hand in front of twenty thousand people: do they respond? That's being a rock star.

I think, describing Elvis for me would be a very generous king. He was the king of rock and roll, will always be. He's whats made it possible for everyone to be performers and to do the things they do now.

I really like the Doors. I like Kevin Spacey, Bruce Springsteen, Will Farrell, Reggie Watts, Tina Turner, who is also very hot, Tracy Chapman. Beethoven.

I'll play until they have to scrape me off the stage.

Liberace was a miracle. You talk about who he was and what he did, and then you look at who he inspired, from Elton John to Cher to Michael Jackson to Bette Midler. There are so many people that came to see him. Elvis was there, watching his shows.

I can't go into a bar anywhere without someone starting to play 'the Entertainer'.

The great thing about rock and roll is that someone like me can be a star.

This is something I love to do. I've never had any other job. I love singing and entertaining.

I love live music and I love to see people's faces when I'm performing.

Our memory and the movies keep movie stars alive for us, and Tony Curtis is still a star.

I am essentially an entertainer and a storyteller.

Tell me what you'd like to hear me sing. I'll sing whatever you like, after which I'll take up a collection, if you don't mind.

My ultimate dream is to become a famous star because I love to sing.

Justin Timberlake is terrific in this film. I told him it's time to stop singing.

I think being a rock star is a little bit different than being an athlete or even a movie star.

I'm an entertainer, period. But I'd probably have to say my passion is in singing. I'm willing to go broke singing.

Mick Jagger can sing. Mick Jagger is a great entertainer.

I used to always sing my way into the movies and the basketball games or whatever. I'd sing for whoever's on the door, and they'd let me in. I used to think I was Nat King Cole back in the day, you know. So I'd sing something like, 'Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, men have named you,' and they'd let me in.

I'm going to stay on stage until I drop dead. Then I'm going to have myself stuffed, like Trigger, and I'm going to put me in a museum.

You spell Bob Hope C-L-A-S-S.

I remember watching Eddie Murphy's stand-up act when I was little, and just being mesmerized.

With any of the movies I've had a chance to do, or any of the TV shows I've had a chance to contribute to, people approach me and say, 'Hey, would you like to do this?' I laugh out loud and say, 'Yes, that'd be funny.' Or, I'm very moved by what I read and say, 'Yes. How can I help you?'

Growing up, I was so inspired by front men like Mick Jagger, Freddie Mercury, and Kurt Cobain - real showmen that put on 'a performance' every time they walk out on stage - so it's important for me to feel like I deliver that.

My job, if someone picks me, is to come and perform. That's what we do for a living.