Growing up with The Who

In 1983, Paul Bearman was three years old, hyperactive, and rarely slept. One evening, he defied his parents' expectations by sitting completely transfixed as BBC Two aired a documentary about Jimi Hendrix as part of its Rock Around the Clock programming… and his life was changed forever. Soon afterwards, he developed a love for The Who, watching The Kids Are Alright and The Who Rocks America on repeat, receiving albums and books for birthdays and at Christmas, and playing toy guitars while pretending to be Pete Townshend.

In this free bonus episode, Paul talks to his parents, Wendy and John, about his early exposure to music; going with them to see The Who live; his childhood fascination with musical instruments, from toy guitars to his dad's drum kit; the birthday and Christmas presents he thought had come from Pete Townshend; and his lifelong relationship with The Who, including his attempts to better understand what that connection means.

Interviews recorded April 2026

Music by The Garage

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RELATED LINKS

Remus Down Boulevard – ‘Only For You’ From the album A Week at the Bridge E16 (recorded live at the Bridge House, London, April 1978)

Thomas Dolby – ‘Hyperactive!’ Official video

Jimi Hendrix – ‘Johnny B. Goode’ From the album Hendrix in the West

The Jimi Hendrix Experience – ‘Wild Thing’ From Live at Monterey (video)

The South Bank Show episode on Pete Townshend First broadcast 3rd November 1985

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