Townshend and The Who's manager Bill Curbishley were honored at the event taking place at the Best Buy Theater in New York City on Thursday night for their charitable efforts.
- May 29, 2015
AceShowbiz - Some big names in music honored The Who's Pete Townshend and manager Bill Curbishley at the 11th annual MusiCares Map Fund Concert. Bruce Springsteen, Joan Jett and Townshend's The Who bandmate Robert Daltrey were among those attending the event taking place at the Best Buy Theater in New York City on Thursday night, May 28.
Townshend was honored with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his commitment to helping other musicians with addiction. He received his prize from Springsteen, who told the crowd, "I wouldn't be windmilling a Fender Telecaster if it weren't for Pete Townshend." Curbishley, meanwhile, was honored with the From the Heart Award for his work with MusiCares, which offers assistance to members of the music community in times of need.
The Boss also paid musical tribute to Townshend that night, joining The Who for the band's "My Generation". He additionally delivered a heartfelt speech about Townshend, talking about seeing The Who in Asbury Park in 1967.
The event also saw performances from Jett who did a version of "Summertime Blues" and "I Can't Explain", Daltrey who played "The Seeker" and "Young Man Blues" and Willie Nile who sang "Substitute" and "The Kids Are All Right". Host Colin Quinn entertained the crowd of around 2,000 people and several pre-taped video accolades from Roger Waters, Elton John, Mick Jagger and others were shown.
Before wrapping up the event, Townshend joined forces with Springsteen, The Who, Billy Idol and Nile for the 1971 hit "Won't Get Fooled Again". Prior to the performance, the British musician told the audience, "The reason I am able to get up on stage and do this tour with The Who and still put on a fairly good show is because of the thirty years I have been clean and sober."
