Pete Townshend's Lifehouse: The Concept that led to Who's Next and Beyond (LP Editions)

In the early 1970s, Pete Townshend attempted something no rock musician had ever tried. Lifehouse was conceived as a multimedia film, a live performance experiment, a technological feedback loop between artist and audience, and the spiritual successor to Tommy. It was bold, futuristic, and decades ahead of its time. The scale was overwhelming. The project collapsed. From its remains came Who's Next, an album now widely regarded as one of the greatest rock albums ever recorded.But the full Lifehouse story is far richer, stranger, and more influential than the familiar tale of failure turned masterpiece.Pete Townshend's Lifehouse traces the project from its origins and ambitions through collapse, reinvention, and ongoing legacy. The book examines the ideas behind Townshend's most ambitious concept, the writing and recording sessions that pushed him to the edge, and the Lifehouse Method — his experiment in turning personality into music. It follows his returns to the project across five decades, up to the 2023 Who's Next Life House super deluxe edition, and makes the case that Lifehouse provides a lens for understanding Townshend's entire creative life."Ian Paul Sharp takes us on a fascinating trip back to a time when the Who were at their peak. Essential reading for any serious fan of the Who."Den Browne, Louder Than War"Brick-by-brick excavation of Who Maestro's megaproject … makes the case that Lifehouse advanced rock's limited boundaries."Classic Rock, 7/10This is music writing for readers who listen with intent. Ian Paul Sharp has lived with The Who's music for over fifty years. He brings clarity, depth, and emotional resonance to one of rock's most misunderstood projects."An incredibly well researched book that eloquently demonstrates how so many works from Pete Townshend's vast catalogue can be seen as connecting thematically and musically to the world of Lifehouse. A must-read for any serious fan of The Who and Pete Townshend."Greg Roensch, Writer, Musician and Filmmaker"As a major champion of the art of music writing without sound bite sized straitjackets, this is a winner."Kris Needs, Music Jounalist (Record Collector, Shinidig and more)"If we want to resist a world of music dictated by AI, then we need to support our musical curators. Ian is one of them."Tony Fletcher, author of Dear Boy: The Life of Keith MoonIan Paul Sharp is an author and music essayist based in Buckinghamshire, UK. His writing draws on research, biography, and cultural history, with a particular focus on musicians at points of creative transition. He has written for The Progressive Aspect, The Waiting Room, and other publications, and his audio reviews have been broadcast on Progzilla Radio. Read more