Pete Townshend Reflects On His Involvement With Mysterious One-Hit-Wonder Band, Thunderclap Newman

Thunderclap Newman was a short-lived band put together by the Who’s Pete Townshend. The unknown trio claimed a bit of rock history by reaching the top of the UK charts with their Townshend-penned anthem, “Something in the Air,” in July of 1969. Author Mark Ian Wilkerson just published a sprawling 400+ page history of the peculiar group, Hollywood Dream, the Thunderclap Newman Story, via Jack White’s Third Man Books. Townshend was the mastermind behind Thunderclap Newman, putting a far-flung band together consisting of his friend, singer-songwriter-drummer John “Speedy” Keen, 16-year-old wiz-kid guitarist Jimmy McCulloch, and jazz pianist Andy Newman, with Townshend joining in on bass while producing their only album, Hollywood Dream. “I think the fact that they were far-flung is what makes it so intriguing,” Townshend reflects. “That Thunderclap Newman album, which I made in my home studio, is so extraordinary. I still think it’s one of the best pieces of work that I’ve ever been involved in. I love it.” (Variety)