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Pete Townshend hopes the internet will make live performances "redundant".The Who guitarist has branded live shows "absurd" and believes world tours will soon be a thing of the past.

The legendary musician also claims he invented the first portable tape player and is furious he didn't patent it before electronics giant Sony.

Townshend says "Live performing is becoming an absurdity. The internet could and should make it redundant. Until global live internet events satisfy music fans who need to feel involved, I must travel the longest distance to be with them."

"Roger Daltrey and I are back on the road now, touring, doubtful we can get away with it for much longer, but not caring much if we don't - the audience are in charge, after all."

"I would carry around with me some kind of sound system to use while driving. I developed a number of portable players employing headphones, eventually coming up with something very much like the Walkman cassette machine. I was furious when I realised I hadn't had the time or the inclination to patent it and Sony would develop it and rule the world.