For some reason, can't pull the trigger on this pick.

I know he's already in with The Who - but I always look at this from the perspective of "Would I pay money to see this artist?" and for Townshend, I would pay to see him play just by himself with an acoustic guitar.

He had a lot more than one solo hit;
I'm copying from allmusic.com which lists his solo hits:
songs: 1980 Let My Love Open The Door Pop Singles #9 1980 Rough Boys Pop Singles #89 1980 A Little Is Enough Pop Singles #72 1982 Face Dances Part Two Mainstream Rock #15 1982 Slit Skirts Mainstream Rock #41 1982 Stardom In Action Mainstream Rock #30 1985 Face the Face Mainstream Rock Tracks #3 1985 Face the Face The Billboard Hot #26 1985 Give Blood Mainstream Rock Tracks #5 1986 Barefootin' Mainstream Rock Tracks #26 1986 Life to Life [Title Song] Mainstream Rock Tracks #39 1986 Secondhand Love Mainstream Rock Tracks #32 1989 Dig Mainstream Rock Tracks #9 1989 A Friend Is a Friend Mainstream Rock Tracks #3 1993 English Boy Mainstream Rock Tracks #19
I'd rather see a true rocker like him get inducted than Madonna (which I've heard the press mention as a shoe-in for the next induction class).

Some very good work in his post-Who career but I think that if it hadn't been for his work in the Who, his solo work wouldn't have attracted that much attention.  He would have been a mildly successful singer-songwriter who produced a spare body of work that had some great moments and some midling hits.  His solo work wouldn't stand up on its own without the context of his ground breaking early Who work.  Heck, his post "Who's Next" Who records wouldn't stand up that well.

His high rank at this site can be attributed to a ton of Who fans that don't feel like being objective.

  He was and always will be relevant.  Most rock stars from today - from Eddie Vedder to the White Stripes - worship Townshend.  I'd rather pay money to see Townshend alone with a acoustic guitar than most acts that are already in the Hall of Fame.

ruff boy

Watch the video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t9slqL_eSw
and try to tell me that Townshend isn't one of the greatest songwriters, guitarists and singers in the history of rock.  Anyone who can stand and deliver an solo performance like this deserves a solo induction into the R&R HoF.

I have a fundamental issue with any solo artist getting induction whose best work was clearly with a band who has already been inducted...before a band who has yet to be recognized.  He's in there once already! Why does he need further accolades when there are twenty or thirty great bands and artists from the 60's, 70's and early 80's who are still waiting for their first chance?

No Way. Had one hit solo.

I voted for THE WHO, but I won't get fooled again. Like Gabriel, just not enough SOlo classics.

after
DEEP PURPLE
YES
GENESIS
JETHRO TULL
MOODY BLUES
SRV
CHICAGO

I'd give it to him solo

I would have to disagree with ajowoods.  Everyone has their own personal tastes in music.  I would agree that Townshend (solo) is less deserving than McCartney (solo) or Clapton (solo), but I would put Townshend's solo catalog up against lots of inductees, such as: Patti Smith, Grandmaster Flash, the Moonglows, the Ronettes, the Sex Pistols, Buddy Guy, Percy Sledge, The Dells, Brenda Lee, Isaac Hayes, Gene Pitney, Ritchie Valens, The Flamingos, Lovin' Spoonful --- I'm not saying these inductees don't deserve to be in -- just that Townshend's solo material was way more inventive, creative and inpirational.

Despite what many people think, all of Townshend's most important work came with The Who, and his influence comes from the band, not from his solo career. He did nothing of note solo (besides "Let My Love Open The Door"), and this won't be enough to even get a nomination, which he would not deserve in any form.

his love won't open the door

Good lord, Pete toshend is the most amazing guitarst ever, (of corse Dave Davies comes next). He is also the most amazing song writer of all time (Ray and Dave Davies are next in that too). Pete, is just to perfect and beauiful to explain. I love that man so much, I wish he only knew, if he ever reads this I want him to know that I love him so much, and I know he probably won't, and can't ever love me in the same way, but if he cares for me at all he needs to do is take me in his arms. I love you Pete and I always will. Long Live Rock And Pete. Yours faithfully Vanessa Pazmino (whogirl4445@cox.net)

I like a lot of his solo material: "Let My Love Open The Door", "Rough Boys", "White City" (with David Gilmour on lead guitar), "Slit Skirts", "Give Blood", plus some of the early stuff he did with Ronnie Lane from the Small Faces - there's a song called "Evolution" off of Townshend's first solo CD.

! of the best muscians of all time.

why bother?

The Godfather of Rock.

Did his most adventurous work as a solo artist. If the Beatles can get in solo, he deserves to as well.

PETE TOWNSHEND certainly is deserving of the hall of fame for THE WHO. 5 Stars no question. But his solo material? It's not like he didn't fully express himself in THE WHO, or that THE WHO had a finite time of existence, after which he had an equally meaningful solo career (ala John Lennon) There's just too many deserving bands who aren't in ther once.

Don't like the guy much, but he does deserve it.

Townshend is good, but as a solo act. Fraid not.

He's already in with the Who, and his solo stuff didn't make any waves...

If I were to rank my top 10 Townshend involved albums (including The Who): 1. Who's Next (The Who) 2. Quadrophenia (The Who) 3. Empty Glass (Pete Townshend solo) 4. Tommy (The Who) 5. White City (Pete Townshend solo) 6. All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes (Pete Townshend solo) 7. Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy (The Who) 8. Rough Mix (Pete Townshend solo w/ Ronnie Lane) 9. Who Are You (The Who) 10. My Generation (The Who) I think that Townshend doesn't get enough credit for his solo stuff, but I rank his solo material right up there with The Who (who of course are already in The Hall).

Pete Townshend is kind of in the same position as Peter Gabriel - both were in great bands and both had a solo career. Although The Who are in the Hall and Genesis (for some reason unknown to me) is not. I personally don't think that what they did in their bands prior to their solo career should be completely discounted when considering them as a solo artist for the Hall. Townshend wrote 99% of the songs and was the only guitarist for The Who, which is regarded as the greatest live rock act of all time - that has to count for something. I would put his solo material up against Peter Gabriel (or John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison who have all been inducted as solo artists). I think his solo albums broke ground that The Who didn't and that other artists hadn't at that point. Listen to side 1 of Empty Glass - it is one of the best "sides" that Townshend has ever wrote including The Who's albums.

ruff boys, but I have to say, who the pluck are you?

While I love Pete Townshends music, especially with The Who, I don't think his solo career was consistent to be considered for the hof.

The Who are in. But Pete Townshend? Please... not ahead of Alice Cooper, The Cars, Black Sabbath, Leonard Skynard, Yes. Come on...he has a weak voice, and who cares if he can windmill his guitar. OK...I love his windmill, too. But he is not more deserving than many of the bands that are still waiting. NO.

It's true that some of the greatest bands' members can't cut it when they go solo, but that could never be said of Pete Townshend. It is true that his fine solo work is overshadowed by the even more phenomenally stunning achievements of The Who, but this should not be held against him in terms of the quality of his solo career. Any performer in rock music would be thrilled to create something as masterful as Townshend's "Empty Glass" solo album, and he's done plenty more amazing work outside The Who. As big a Who fan as I am, I wouldn't vote Entwistle, Moon, or Daltrey into the rock hall as solo artists; they never came close alone to reaching the greatness they achieved together. Townshend has. The closest artist to his achievements with and without his supergroup would be John Lennon, whose solo efforts were exceptional but could never eclipse his legendary status as a Beatle because of the tremendous influence and accomplishments of that band. Like Lennon, Pete Townshend should be included both as a solo artist AND as a member of one of rock's greatest bands.

Yes, he's very creative and a talented songwriter. He's not a bad singer, either, though it might be a little unfair to compare his ability to Roger Daltrey's vocal power.

Lynyrd Skynyrd (3), Black Sabbath (5), Blondie (6), John Mellencamp (16), Cat Stevens (45), J. Geils Band (66), the Sex Pistols (89), The Patti Smith Group (98), the Stooges (111), The Dave Clark Five (112), Miles Davis (132), Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five (147), Chic (211), the Sir Douglas Quintet with Doug Sahm (227), The Paul Butterfield Blues Band (289), Joe Tex (306) I'm looking at the list of 2006 Nominees and I can absolutely say that Pete Townshend solo deserves it more than every one of these nominees except for maybe the top 3: Skynyrd, Sabbath, and Blondie. Comparing Townshend solo stuff to Mellencamp - I can go through song by song - I would rather hear Townshend's "Let My Love Open the Door" over Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane", Townshend's "Rough Boys" over Mellencamp's "Scarecrow", Townshend's "Slit Skirts" over Mellencamp's "Paper and Fire", etc. ---In Response to Wiseguy19 above --- Townshend, of course, has a lot more than 4 songs as you look through some of the other comments you'll see that. On Townshend's website - they announced a 2 CD "Best of" - here's the URL: http://www.petetownshend.co.uk/diary/display.cfm?id =128&zone=pr The songs on it are: CD1: English Boy, Secondhand Love, A Little Is Enough, Heart To Hang Onto, Sheraton Gibson, The Sea Refuses No River, Brilliant Blues, Now and Then, I Won't Run Anymore, Keep Me Turning, Let My Love Open The Door, Slit Skirts, A Friend Is A Friend, Let's See Action, Street In The City, Empty Glass. CD2: Rough Boys, Give Blood, Exquisitely Bored, Jools and Jim, Crashing By Design, Don't Try And Make Me Real, Face The Face, Uniforms (Corp d'espirit), My Baby Gives It Away, Outlive The Dinosaur, Keep On Working, White City Fighting, All Shall Be Well, Time Is Passing, I Am Afraid, Misunderstood, Pure And Easy, Parvardigar. Even with the 2 CD's - they still didn't get all of his best - one of my fave's missing is "Face Dance, part 2" from "Chinese Eyes". To each his own obviously, but I'd rather hear a Townshend "best-of" than a Mellencamp "best-of".

I know that the goal of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is to honor the artists that inspired many of the artists that came after them. If you read interviews with a lot of today's artists about "who were their influences" - a very common answer is Pete Townshend. Here's one of my favorite movie quotes from "Almost Famous": "Some people have a hard time explaining rock 'n' roll. I don't think anyone can really explain rock 'n' roll. Except Pete Townshend, but that's okay. Rock 'n' roll is a lifestyle and a way of thinking... and it's not about money and popularity. Although, some money would be nice. But it's a voice that says, "Here I am... and f*** you if you can't understand me." And one of these people is gonna save the world. And that means that rock 'n' roll can save the world... all of us together. And the chicks are great. But what it all comes down to is that thing. The indefinable thing when people catch something in your music." There's a new 2 CD "Best-of of Townshend" CD coming out - I recommend buying that if you don't own any Townshend solo material.

Amazing solo career plus set the great foundations for rock and roll as the mastermind behind The Who. Spectacular songwriter, guitarist, pianist, brilliant musician. His solo career is probably the most underrated career of all time.

The Godfather of Rock. He was the first to smash his guitar, first to do the windmill, first to create rock operas, the first to take rock to Broadway and the movies, and he's used rock to make money for charities.

PETE TOWNSHEND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME YEARS AGO !!!!!!!! HE IS IN MY OPINON AND I'M CERTAIN MILLIONS OF OTHER TRUE TOWNSHEND FANS FEEL AS I DO............ PETE TRUE ARTIST,MUSICIAN,POET, AUTHOR,PHOPHET .............LUV YA PETE, LINDA

Townshend's solo career stands as a marked departure from the songs he contributed to the Who cannon, which he himself admits were incredibly influenced by the other members. The key word when talking about Pete's solo career is of course, confessional. The man consistently bares his soul, while keeping a song's melody foremost in his mind. There are few week spots. IRON MAN may have been a bit misguided, but A Friend is a Friend, Dig and the cover of Arthur Brown's Fire are all exceptional pieces, with some very catchy melodies. Townshend's solo career, ironically, may be far more innovative than what the Who were able to produce. The ALL COWBOYS album takes all of the best parts of the New Wave trend and leaves behind some of more undesirable parts. Synthesizers abound, but are never overwrought or boring. He returned to the concept album with WHITE CITY, but expanded on the urban concept found in the group's QUADROPHENIA album with more interesting results. White City Fighting and Face the Face are positively inspirational in their boppiness. PSYCHODERELICT continues the trend with a very autobiographical storyline and some truly gut-wrenching moments. English Boy is like a punch in the face, well-aimed at snide, self-important and utterly feckless rock journalists. The heart of his solo career, though, is of course the low-fi SCOOP series, which consists of 3 separate entries and a best of collection. A collection of home studio demos, mostly, they provide an invaluable insight into the creative process of a songwriter, gleaming with oscillating moods of exuberance and sincerity. Many of the songs are demos of songs, which would later be recorded by the Who. There is always a notable difference between Townshend's and Roger Daltrey's ability to manipulate the microphone. Quite simply he deserves a place in the Hall of Fame for doing something quite different from anyone else. There'll only ever be one Pete Townshend.

Pete Townshend is a member of the best band in Rock Music History. He is already in as a member of that band. While his solo work is indeed very good I dont know if he should go in again as a soloist. This counts for all solo artist of legendary bands. They dont deserve a free pass based on their name.

simply the most inspiring musician in my life.

Why the heck isn't he already in there?! Easily one of the greatest rock songwriters of all time.

Pete is the most hardworking and talented Musician that has ever graced the face of the earth! HE DESERVES IT MORE THAN ANYONE.

the who's an amzing band but jimmy page should be in for solo befor townshend.

There is very likely no other song writer in Rock that can equal Pete Townshend. Combine that with his sheer musical talent, and look what you get! Now, add that all up to the fact that HE can combine that stuff so well as to give us such incredible, eduring memories. Long Live Pete! Without Pete Townshend, Rock would somehow be a bit short of it's true cutting edge. Thank you, Pete Townshend.

The man who wrote almost every single tune for the classic Who albums deserves to be in the R&R Hall of Fame. What's to question ? His own style of power chording guitar has influenced bands almost beyond comprehension. He's one of the most intelligent and thoughtful men on this planet - and he just so happens to still believe in the power or Rock & Roll after 40 years of playing it. Love Live Rock, and get Pete in the Hall, NOW !

It's obvious that Paul McCartney's work with Wings counted towards him getting inducted as a solo artist. Perhaps George Harrison's work with the Traveling Wilbury's helped his induction. So, not only do I think that that Rough Mix and Who Came First (Pete worked with Ronnie Lane on these albums) should count as his solo work, but I think that considering how relevant Tommy has been over the past several years - winning awards on Broadway - and considering that Pete wrote some new material and helped produce the play for Broadway - that even his work with The Who should count towards him being inducted as a solo artist.

This is tricky. His solo stuff is okay, but not really great enough to really be considered, I think. The fact he Was The Who is enough I suppose.

How many artists would like to see perform, where it's just the artist alone on stage with a guitar and their voice. McCartney, Clapton and Townshend and maybe a few more. Pete Townshend should be in the Hall as a solo artist

I think they should let it be with the Who. Petes solo stuff is great, but it is overshadowed by the band.

People forget that Townshend solo had a lot of chart success. I know hits aren't the most determining factor in getting into the hall - they usually vote for artists that were influential towards other artists and there is no doubt Townshend was influential. He definitely hit the charts with albums: 1973 Who Came First Pop Albums #69 1977 Rough Mix Pop Albums #45 1980 Empty Glass Pop Albums #5 1982 All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes Pop Albums #26 1983 Scoop Pop Albums #35 1985 White City: A Novel The Billboard #26 1987 Another Scoop The Billboard #198 1989 The Iron Man: A Musical The Billboard #58 1993 Psychoderelict The Billboard #118 2002 Scooped Top Independent Albums #22 and with songs: 1980 Let My Love Open The Door Pop Singles #9 1980 Rough Boys Pop Singles #89 1980 A Little Is Enough Pop Singles #72 1982 Face Dances Part Two Mainstream Rock #15 1982 Slit Skirts Mainstream Rock #41 1982 Stardom In Action Mainstream Rock #30 1985 Face the Face Mainstream Rock Tracks #3 1985 Face the Face The Billboard Hot #26 1985 Give Blood Mainstream Rock Tracks #5 1986 Barefootin' Mainstream Rock Tracks #26 1986 Life to Life [Title Song] Mainstream Rock Tracks #39 1986 Secondhand Love Mainstream Rock Tracks #32 1989 Dig Mainstream Rock Tracks #9 1989 A Friend Is a Friend Mainstream Rock Tracks #3 1993 English Boy Mainstream Rock Tracks #19