1952 Radiotone Archtop
Click to view larger version.
The first guitar Pete knew as a child, his Uncle Jack’s 1952 Radiotone Archtop guitar in natural finish.
Pete Townshend:
First guitar I ever played
The Radiotone guitar (6-string acoustic). This was my Uncle Jack’s guitar. He died a few years ago and left this to my Mother who gave it to me. This is the first guitar I ever touched, long before I could play. I was between 7 and 10 years old and still trying to learn the chromatic harmonica. Jack lived in a little house in Kingston full of electrical gadgets (he was a Ham Radio expert). He had worked in the war on Radar, and also on developing guitar pickups for Gibson.
Pete’s partner Rachel Fuller sold this guitar via her “Towsers Treasures” eBay store on 27 September 2007 to raise money for animal charities.
It was purchased by Adam Hope and was accompanied with a signed letter of authenticity from Pete. Adam has named the guitar “Happy Jack” in honour of both Pete and his Uncle.
Photo Gallery
Adam Hope’s display of the guitar, featuring what is possibly an original Who promotional display. These displays were reportedly commissioned by Kit Lambert for display in the entrance foyers at UK Who gigs in 1966–67. This item is possibly one of four such panels.
Click images to view larger versions. Courtesy Adam Hope.
Resources and Information
Acknowledgements
- Adam Hope