Pete performs at Rockers On Broadway 25th anniversary benefit concert!

RockersOnBroadway

Pete Townshend made a special guest star appearance Monday night November 12 at the ROCKERS ON BROADWAY 25th anniversary benefit concert to pay tribute to The Who’s Tommy 1993 Broadway musical. The show was put on at le Poisson Rouge in New York City to support the PATH Fund (Performing Artists That Help) charity, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting arts education.

Pete accepted the Lifetime Achievement award for Michael Cerveris, who played the lead role of Tommy in the original Broadway production. Michael was unable to attend due to filming commitments for a show on Netflix. After the awards ceremony, Pete performed his classic solo rendition of Drowned on acoustic guitar, before bringing on the backing band to rock out on Let My Love Open The Door. A few of the original cast members of Broadway Tommy then came on and performed a medley of Tommy, with Pete joining in for a rousing finale of Listening To You. Earlier in the evening Pete posed for photos on the red carpet, and then signed a couple of guitars which were auctioned off during the show, raising $12K each for the charity.

The PATH Fund, Inc. charity was founded by Donnie Kehr in 1993, who posted this description on the Rockers on Broadway website.

“In 1993, The Who’s TOMMY was preparing to open on Broadway. One day during rehearsals Pete (Townshend) approached me about doing a couple of live concerts around the city. He wanted the cast to learn what real Rock & Roll felt like, and for a bonus they could perform with him. He wanted us to have this experience for ourselves, because it would help translate that edgy rock sensibility into our performances. At Pete’s request I gathered the TOMMY orchestra and formed a band. Once the band was set, I held a company meeting with my fellow cast members and asked them to join in the fun. The first ROCKERS ON BROADWAY® was held in the Spring of 1993 at the China Club on 75th Street. In addition to the TOMMY cast and Pete (of course), special guests included Joe Walsh, Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes) and Eddie Vedder. For me, the experience of singing ‘Pinball Wizard’ next to Pete that night changed me forever. It was extraordinary. Really, who doesn’t want to feel like a Rock Star…at least once? Every year I hope to share that same feeling with the wonderful performers who donate their time and talent, while continuing to make a difference to our beneficiaries.”

For more information, please visit rockersonbroadway.com.

Here are a few videos and photos of Pete's performance. Many thanks to everyone who contributed!

Video credit: Joel Naftelberg

Video credit: Lauren J. Hammer

Pete talking with Boh the Smile Guy on the red carpet.

Rockers Broadway Nina Wurtzel Photo credit: Nina Wurtzel Photography - Rockers On Broadway

Rockers Broadway Nina Wurtzel Pete on the red carpet with Director Donnie Kehr. Photo credit: Nina Wurtzel Photography - Rockers On Broadway

Rockers Broadway Nina Wurtzel Pete chatting with the band One95 (all formerly in School of Rock). Photo credit: Nina Wurtzel Photography - Rockers On Broadway