Talking About The Who

Mark Wilkerson talks about: Balancing his writing with a full-time jobServing in the United States army for eight yearsBeing inspired to write a Pete Townshend biography after finding inaccuracies in anotherMaking a pilgrimage to Pete’s house, and the chance meeting that followedBecoming the first person to write the Thunderclap Newman story, and their significant connection with The WhoDeveloping a friendship with Eddie Vedder through their shared Who fandomThe difficulties in moving to another country as a teenager, and feeling a deep connection with Quadrophenia as a resultAnd why The Who’s music is more than simply entertainment Interview recorded November 2025Music by The GarageVisit our website for bonus episodes and exclusive contentSupport us with a one-off or monthly donationFacebookInstagramBlueskyYouTubeRELATED LINKS Buy Hollywood Dream: The Thunderclap Newman StoryBuy Who Are You: The Life of Pete TownshendMark’s Zoom interview with Pete Townshend November 2024Mark’s interview with Pete at the Thunderclap Newman book launch Third Man, London, November 2024Thunderclap Newman – ‘Something in the Air’Thunderclap Newman – ‘Wilhemina’

Season Three of the Talking About The Who podcast is just around the corner… and there’s more than one way to enjoy the experience this time around. Plus, there’s more great Who-related content coming your way within the next few weeks. Here’s Paul Bearman with all the details Become a TATW MemberSupport us with a one-off or monthly donationFacebookBlueskyInstagramYouTubeRELATED LINKS Find your closest independent record shop on Record Store DayTony Fletcher on Substack

Things have been quiet recently, but things are very much happening behind the scenes.Here's Paul with an update on what you can expect from Talking About The Who throughout 2026...Become a TATW MemberSupport us with a one-off or monthly donationFacebookBlueskyInstagramYouTube

Colin Dawson talks about receiving an OBE for services to British tourism; being on first-name terms with Princess Diana; getting started in music and playing guitar in his first skiffle band; first meeting Roger Daltrey in a café in Acton; the formation of The Detours; being inspired by Cliff Richard and taking pride in his appearance on stage; his memories of playing with The Detours and why he eventually left the band; hearing ‘I Can’t Explain’ for the first time; covering a Who song in a different band decades later, and the Who songs and albums he likes the most; his son playing bass for Joy Crookes at Glastonbury earlier this year; and reuniting with Roger, John and Pete at the Royal Albert Hall in 1989.Please note there is a 'show and tell' during this episode in which Colin shows Paul various photographs and Detours posters, which you can watch hereMusic by The Garage Become a TATW MemberSupport us with a one-off or monthly donationFacebookBlueskyInstagramYouTubeRELATED LINKS Colin sharing rides with Princess Diana and her two sons at Thorpe Park in 1993 Colin (in blazer and tie) first appears at 0:48 and is interviewed at 9:58Joy Crookes – ‘Perfect Crime’ Glastonbury, June 2025 (featuring Cameron Dawson on bass)The Wrinklies – ‘Caroline’ Broadstairs, Kent, c. 2010/11 (featuring Colin on lead vocals)The Wrinklies – ‘Summertime Blues’ Broadstairs, Kent, c. 2010/11Please consider filling in this short audience survey, as it will really help us out! All entries are anonymous, so no personal data is collectedhttps://bit.ly/talkingaboutthewho-survey

Richard Evans talks about designing The Who’s latest tour book, trying to impress his mum by working for a Beatle, the upcoming Who Are You Super Deluxe Edition box set, working with Josh Townshend on the Live at the Oval 1971 cover and the inspiration behind it, photographing Keith Moon naked for his first ever Who commission, booking The Who to play in Nottingham while at art school, his management of the band’s website and social media accounts, and why it’s ok to have gaps in your Who knowledge. Music by The Garage Become a TATW MemberSupport us with a one-off or monthly donationFacebookBlueskyInstagramYouTubeRELATED LINKS Richard Evans’ websitePre-order Who Are You Super Deluxe Edition Buy Live at the Oval 1971Josh Townshend’s website‘Who Put The Boot In’ tour posterKeith Moon as a bellboy ‘Who Put The Boot In’ tour book coverThe infamous Keith centrefold ‘Who Put The Boot In’ tour book The equally infamous ‘Keith with football’ photo ‘I Can’t Explain’ Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA, 2015 (The Who Hits 50! tour)Please consider filling in this short audience survey, as it will really help us out! All entries are anonymous, so no personal data is collectedhttps://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/nPXm1yjH

Buddy Ascott talks about playing with Tony Fletcher in The Dear Boys, being sacked by his previous band and not knowing why, The Who’s influence on The Chords, offering his drumming services to The Who when he was 18, the large Mod audience that followed The Chords through word of mouth, recording BBC radio sessions for John Peel, his love for The Who By Numbers and why it’s an underrated album, and drunkenly heckling The Who and ending up in their dressing room in the same night. Music by The GarageThe Dear Boys – 'Put It Down' (Page/Fletcher), used with kind permission Please consider filling in this short audience survey, as it will really help us out! All entries are anonymous, so no personal data is collectedhttps://bit.ly/talkingaboutthewho-survey Become a TATW MemberSupport us with a one-off or monthly donationFacebookBlueskyInstagramYouTubeRELATED LINKS The Chords – ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ Top of the Pops, February 1980The Chords – ‘Something’s Missing’ Top of the Pops, May 1980The Chords – first Peel Session BBC Radio 1, July 1979The Chords – second Peel Session BBC Radio 1, March 1980Proper – Meant To Say Something BandcampThe Dear Boys on BandcampThe Chords on London Weekend Show May 1979 (a teenage Tony Fletcher can be seen from 2:59–3:03)The Chords – ‘This is What They Want’‘The Ox’The Chords – ‘Don’t Go Back’‘Heaven and Hell’ Tanglewood, Lenox, MA, July 1970The Dear Boys – ‘Put It Down’ YouTube