Pete Townshend would be widely regarded as a self-important arse if he weren’t Pete Townshend. As the principle songwriter in one of the most ambitious, frustrating, but ultimately beloved rock ‘n’ roll bands ever, he’s earned the right to hold court on just about any subject. With the Who, he first mashed up the residue from half an art school education with the aesthetic of West End mods and a touch of violence, creating the ultimate expression of teen nihilism. Next, the resultant sound was tempered with equal parts mysticism and theatricality, inventing, for better or worse, the rock opera. From there it was a fast ascent to the upper stratosphere of international superstardom accompanied by the anthemic fist pumping and what-does-it-all-mean navel gazing we’ve come to expect from rock gods. And we’ve come to expect it because Townshend and the Who invented it, and every popular band since has done their best to repeat it.

This history affords Townshend the authority to speak as he does: In conversation as in music, he is unafraid to explore any avenue, treating each topic with respect and humor and following it until he can go no further, as he would a song. This 1982 interview finds him discussing life and art and everything in between with great detail, making it as intriguing a listen as any of his albums.

While lucrative reunion tours and crime drama credit sequences have threatened the integrity of his legacy, Pete Townshend has never ceased the restless pursuit of his vision; the Who’s most recent release and his own embrace of technology as a means of both communication and art are evidence of this. For insights on creativity and creation, listen to Pete, and experience a classy and articulate rock star for a change.