Pete Townshend is the guitaritst principal songwriter for The Who.
Mark Wilkerson was born in Birmingham, England, in the same year that Thunderclap Newman entered the world. He has written acclaimed biographies of Pete Townshend (2008) and Tomas Young (2016), and coauthored the official Pearl Jam retrospective and New York Times bestseller Pearl Jam 20 (2011). He lives with his wife, Melissa, in Louisville, Kentucky.
His books are:
Who Are You: The life of Pete Townshend (Omnibus Press, 2008). A biography of Pete Townshend, includes an exclusive interview with Townshend, plus interviews with several of his associates and family members. Foreword by Eddie Vedder.
“Extraordinarily detailed… the best Townshend research tool ever.” Mojo
“The most detailed, exacting study of his life and music we’ll likely get until Townshend releases his own autobiography – and maybe not even then.” Rocky Mountain News“
"Endlessly revealing and fascinating… a weighty and articulate study that such a distinguished and monumental musical figure
warrants.” Record Collector
Pearl Jam 20, (Simon and Schuster, 2011) ( – New York Times Bestseller. A 20 year official band retrospective, written with the band’s full cooperation.
“Essential… Pearl Jam’s autobiographical account is one of few that focus on music rather than substance abuse… Attest to their
unwavering connection to their music and their ability to prevent fame from overshadowing art.” Library Journal
“A remarkable account of a career… This book will satisfy casual listeners as well as obsessives.” Publishers Weekly
“A fun, photo-filled day-in-the-life chronicle of one of America’s hardest-working rock bands… Whether or not readers are fans of the
band, the book’s coverage of the Seattle grunge explosion during the early ‘90s is impressive.” Kirkus Reviews
Tomas Young’s War, 2016, Haymarket Books. A biography of a paralyzed Iraq war veteran and peace activist, based on several bedside interviews with Young and written with the cooperation of his family and friends, including Tom Morello and Eddie Vedder. Cover art by Shepard Fairey; foreword by PhilDonahue.
“Powerful, moving, inspiring.” Michael Moore
"Mark Wilkerson’s biography of Tomas Young is difficult but essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the ravages of war and the torment suffered by veterans andtheir loved ones.” Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!