Peter Dennis Blandford `` Pete '' Townshend ( born 19 May , 1945 ) is an English rock musician , songwriter and author best known as the founder of the band The Who . Peter Dennis Blandford `` Pete '' Townshend ( ; born 19 May 1945 ) is an English rock guitarist , vocalist , songwriter and author , known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who , as well as for his own solo career .