Pete Townshend - Chinese Eyes Documentary 1982 HD 

Pete at the peak of his songwriting years. Sadly the music industry's winds had changed. All the junk of that time is now mostly forgotten. Pete's music shines as bright now as it did when released.

It was 1 pm on a tuesday in 1982 when the phone rang, Hi Chalkie, it's Pete (Townshend), there is this thing starting in America, its called MTV and they want a 30 minute film of me, if you can get to Bill Curbishley's office by 2,30 pm with a script I reckon I can get you the job. We got the Job, we started filming the following Monday and shot for six days, we had two full days and four afternoons with Pete. I have not seen this in 30 years as it was never on DVD We hope you enjoy watching it.

I don't understand why this album was so critically panned at the time, it's full of excellent intelligent songs with great melodies written the way only Pete Townshend can. This is fantastic viewing of a rock legend at a crossroads in his life, asking questions and looking at the experience of his life.

I am 57 now, bought this album back in 82 when it was released, still have this album 35 years later and it still resonates well after all these years, The sea refuses no river, Slit Skirts are my favorites.

Yup, i'm the real deal, very old friend of Pete's... I'm a photographer and this is the only film we made, except one for Simon T a year or so later. If anyone is interested there are some good photos of Pete and others on my Facebook page...

He looked younger in the 80's than he did in the 70's.

This album was an example of perfectly crafted pop music. Every track is a winner.

“It doesn’t matter how clean or dirty you are, you get there in the end.” Amen to that.

The bass lines on "Slit Skirts" are some of the very finest of the 80s...the song just wouldn't have the powerful impact it has without 'em....and Pete's guitar outro on the song slays me...wish he kept it going longer...

Loved this album when I bought at the ripe old age of 14!!! Tony Butler on bass and Mark Brzezicki on drums? Yes - more please! Always love watching Tony play, the guy always looks like he's having a blast.

IMHO...this is the best solo project Pete ever released... the arrangements, the guitar playing and the lyrics are the best he's ever done...He was working up to this with Empty Glass but the material here is so much more complete in theme and impact...one of my all time favorite recordings

I love the way he cooks his breakfast in the microwave. disgusting but so hilarious!! Pete is my personal musical idol. as i am sure he is for everyone else who has taken the time to watch this.

The Sea Refuses No River, Face Dances, Exquisitely Bored, Somebody Saved Me, Slit Skirts, Uniform,....song upon song of pure brilliance. Pete's best album if you ask me. Thank you so much for posting this !! No matter how much I search and listen, I can't seem to find any 'spokesmen' for their 'generation' nowadays with the literacy and depth the likes of Pete, Ray Davies, Bowie...Real artistry!

Pete's a musical genius in a class all his own. Thanks for sharing Lynd8!

The two solo albums he made in the early 1980s are so much better than anything The Who had done since about 1975. Great, great records that have meant so much to me over the years.

My favorite solo work by Townshend. I bought it in 82 and to this day, remains my all time fav.

When MTV was brand new, they used to show "Face Dances" and "Slit Skirts" in heavy rotation. Not much to choose from in those early days. Pete used to "want his MTV!" in his spots, too. What a unique time in history that didn't last very long.

Bloody hell! Excellent. This album was a gateway to pt and the who for me. Borrowed it from the local library on cassette over and over, till I ordered the vinyl. Fantastic record that has aged very well indeed.

I have always thought it was "Stardom in Action" ... unbelievable. I have had this album on cassette, cd, for 30+ years and I just noticed it is "Stardom in Acton"..unbelievable.

Pete is singing "Slit Skirts" live in the video! Nice!

all the townshends boys are dreamy. I met simon and paul in detroit. Paul bought me a breakfast on 8 mile. crazy cool how much he lloks like pete

Glad I can see this again. It was removed a while. Love you Pete!

The songs stand the test of time! Every time I listen, its still like the first time!

Never knew this existed. I had a tape of an hours-long interview with Pete from this era, and it was my favorite. I hope it turns up again. Damn, I love that man.

Many of foggy afternoons in my room puffing to this classic album back in the day a true masterful period in Pete's writing

Always blows my mind..... First time I saw Pete in concert, he was in his mid/late 30s. And we all considered them old men.

This is right after he finally got sober. He looks and sounds great.

One of my favorites docummentarys, love Pete's house and yard.

I didn't know this existed. Thanks for posting. It was a nice way to spend a sleepless night.

Pete is a fucking musical genius. Just saw him and Roger at the Golden 1 Arena, Sacramento, 10-26-22...... (the dirty knobs were the opening act....) THE FUCKING WHO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EDIT: god bless the poster of the precious video!!!

Communicate is a great classic Townshend track. Fashion deficit evident in the early '80s look. A rarity thanks for posting.

Lifelong Who/Pete fan, and this is the first time I've ever seen any of this, other than the videos for Stardom in Acton and Slit Skirts. Great, great stuff. A million thanks.

Reading Who Am I right now. So happy I found this. Always loved Pete since the first time my older sister turned me on to The Who.

man you should be immortalized for putting this on youtube!!!

I had a cassette of this album back in the day.....I even played it at work all day over and over again....nice to see this doco on here, it brings back some nice (and not so nice ) memories .....good show old chap😃

Have never seen this. Townshend's best solo album, imo. I was in HS when this was released and I played the hell out of it.

Interesting live version of Slit Skirts with the brilliant Virginia Astley on piano. Virginia was Pete's sister-in-law at the time. Virginia's brother Jon co-produced a few Who albums and remastered their back catalog.

I'ts been years, I'd completely forgotten about this. Thanks for posting-We lived through all this. It is part of our live's soundtracks.

Got this on vhs in 85...been eating eggs and bacon that way since...always thought it was odd that he laughs when he puts it in the microwave...great album...great period..

An experimental masterpiece of great variety, depth & resonance!

I never saw this rockumentary before...it's absolutely brilliant

Thank You 1,000 Times !!!!!!

This album (yes album!) was and is fantastic. I love Exquisitely Bored, Slit Skirts, Somebody Saved Me, The Sea Refuses No River and oh yeah, Stardom In Acton is brilliant.

Stardom in Acton plays in my head every time I chase a bus.

I still have the VHS!...glad I found this...great job....landmark album...a great capture....

Haven't seen this video in 35 years. Thanks!

All of Pete's work is brilliant but, I think you will agree, there was something really special about Best Cowboys. Rock on, my friend.

Saw this on the tube one summer in Denmark, I must have been 13 or so, and a rabid who fan. Totally random. So I haven't seen it since, maybe, 1983, and remember it like it was yesterday.

This was so cool to watch, I’d only ever seen the face dances part before I had no idea there was more. Pete is the best!

I am reading "Who I Am" now, great composer, singer, musician, designer and writer too. Thanks for posting this!

The more I listen to this album, the more it grows. I know all the lyrics by heart. Thanks for posting this video.

A beautiful, perfectly-conceived experimental follow-up companion to the greatness that preceded it (EMPTY GLASS), and the yet masterful music that followed it in WHITE CITY…

such a powerful, emotional album. thank you for uploading this rare video!

Even if it is not one of my favorites albums by Pete Townshend (my fav song writer) I was really happy to discover that documentary I've never heard of. It is really fun to see and listen. Thanks for sharing it.

This is absolutely wonderful. Chinese Eyes is my favourite PT album. I spent the summer of 82 in Paris and this album was playing everywhere. Wonderful songs. Great documentary.

This album has endured....thanks for this!

Thank you!! Been looking for a full version of this for years. Even went so far as to accidentally buy a Beta copy on eBay.

Thanks for posting this! Haven't seen it in years! Love it!

I always though this film should be released in a box set with the cd plus some rarities.

I can't count how many times I've watched this amazing documentary. Thanks for sharing this and all your other Townshend stuff, Lynd8! (Also, your Lou Reed stuff. You have great taste in music! ) I'm watching this again today - May 19th - since it is Pete's birthday!

Thank you for putting up this outstanding Pete documentary from many moons ago!

Thank you for uploading. Haven't seen for a long time. Great album, video.

Thanks for posting this rare gem. This solo album is my favorite of Pete's.

Pete was and still is a genius !!!!

My recriminations are festering! Thanks for uploading this. These songs mean an awful lot to me.

Thank you for uploading - I remember seeing some of this on MTV!

Incredible album. Love Pete

thank you you, Lynda. i heard Pete on Philadelphia, USA radio after album was released. he spoke openly about his drinking problem and how he did strenuous rowing on the River Thames, to burn up the alcohol. that's why he has apicnic on the little island. he also had a sailboat and used to throw empty booze bottles at the Parliament bldg (in his book: "Who I am.") his literary idol is TS Eliot, great writer. pete got job as "literary editor" and was given same office and desk that TS Eliot used!! He edited 4 or 5 books, plus publishing his own book, "Horse's Neck." Pete is so prolific, he never stops writing words. it's a wonder he can remember them all. saw him 5 times. hoe to see him again, but the Who aren't scheduled to come to Honolulu. thganks again for posting. great album. great video. john/hawaii

Thanks for posting! I never knew this film existed.

Brilliant. No more chainsaw hangovers.

I bought this solo album in 1982, still love it....but never seen any of this footage which is great...although dated like me!!!lol

Thanks for posting!

Must be rough having David Gilmour as a neighbor on the river... ah, the life of rock royalty.

WOAH! Thank you for this!!

Chinese Eyes has always been my favourite Pete LP. Never seen this.......thanks for sharing it. I just finished reading his book "Who I Am"; both the book and this video provides a deeper perspective to his creativity and genius.

Never seen this video, I love Pete and his solo material for me is excellent music. Unfortunately here miss Somebody Saved Me, one of my preferred Pete's song. Long live Pete!!!

Thanks for posting this. This told me more about Who Pete Townshend is, or was, than the book he wrote.

I've been looking for this for years! It's sped up a bit from the original, tho. Thanks just the same! =D

Thanks for posting this!!! 😇

this is so good....never knew this existed

Just great...and regarding a great piece of rock history. Fantastic album, still a great listen today, all the way through, no clams at all. The mark of a classic.

I have this on VHS i used to love watching it. Glad I found this again

I love revisiting this album from time to time.. plays beautifully from start to finish.

I've been looking for this doc. for years! THANK-YOU so much Lynd8 for finding it and posting it. You've made many a fan very happy with this post. Long Live Rock and Pete Townshend! P E A C E

I was stationed in England for a couple of yrs in the late 80's. I've never seen that done but it sure doesn't surprise me.

Who remembers the opening video on MTV back in the day?

Fucking Townshend. What a character. Thanks for sharing.

This is an under-rated solo album that followed Pete's hugely successful Empty Glass. I like that there is a varied collection of music from over 15 years of writing. Some of these tracks precede the album by a decade. The Sea and Exquisitely Bored (In Callifornia) are my fav's on the album . I like Slip Skirts (although it's about fashion...) and Uniforms is a pretty cool quirky tune.

My vacation playlist was Quadrophenia Empty Glass Who Came First and Chinese Eyes.

Gr8 performance of slit skirt, even with the odd skip a couple of times. Thank You For that!!

The Songs I Turn To When The Dark Clouds Block Out The Sun!

OMG I am so in touch with what he's saying

This such a great video, I remember getting this as a birthday gift and loved it. Such a shame that Mr. Townshend or the record company will not issue it on DVD. I would also like to see the White City film and documentary and Deep End concert released as DVD's.

I knew there was a laff missing in this thing. then came the chain saw. PT was 37.amazing that we think ourselves old long before we get there. nearly 20 yrs. after TheWHO got a record deal ,he looks young .looking back, I can't see MTV execs sitting thru 30 min. of anything, let alone a few minutes of a guy cooking who's better known for wrecking guitars.

Chalkie, thanks so much for posting this! Correct me if I'm wrong but it looks like your production team pioneered motifs (e.g., story vignettes, puppets, mannequins, integration of 'computer' graphics with live action), that served as inspiration for a lot of other artists. Lots of wonderfully creative ideas packed into a week of shooting and who knows how much editing. But . . . 30+ years?! The time passes so quickly!

Sometiiiiiiiimes - walking through the streets of the City.....

At this point in Pete's Career 1982/83 It was a Turning Point in a sence? The Who was "Over" as a Creative Outlet. Pete was searching & branching out on a more intellectual path. His Topics for Songs went over many Critic's Head! He's always been our Modern Day Mozart! & Only now 40 yrs later he's being recognized for that!

Love it.

Awesome. Love this album.

Thanks Pete!