Tommy
Studio album by The Who
Released	May 23, 1969
Recorded	September 19, 1968–March 7, 1969 at IBC Studios, London
Genre	Rock, Progressive Rock
Length	74:00
Label	Track, Polydor (UK) Decca, MCA (U.S.)
Producer	Kit Lambert
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link PopMatters (favorable) Jan 16 2004 George Starostin (9/10) link
The Who chronology
The Who Sell Out (1967) Tommy (1969) Live at Leeds (1970)
Alternate cover
Deluxe edition cover

Tommy is the first of The Who's two full-scale rock operas (the second being Quadrophenia), and the first musical work explicitly billed as a rock opera. In some older publications it is called Tommy (1914–1984). Released in 1969, the opera was composed by Who guitarist Pete Townshend, with two tracks contributed by Who bassist John Entwistle and one fictitiously attributed to Who drummer Keith Moon, though actually written by Townshend. [1] An earlier song by blues artist Sonny Boy Williamson II was also incorporated into the opera. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... A studio album is a collection of previously unreleased, studio-recorded tracks by a recording artist. ... The Who are an English rock band that first formed in 1964, and grew to be considered one of the greatest[1] and most influential[2] bands in the world. ... is the 143rd day of the year (144th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... The IBC Recording Studios (IBC: International Broadcasting Company) were recording studios in 35 Portland Place, London, England. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... For the Swedish political music movement, see progg. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Track Records is a record label founded by The Who to distribute artists and projects they wanted to support. ... 1920s vintage Polydor export label with its double-horn gramophone logo In 1954 Polydor Records introduced their distinctive orange label. ... It has been suggested that Decca Music Group be merged into this article or section. ... MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by Music Corporation of America (MCA). ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... Kit Lambert (May 11, 1935 – April 7, 1981) was a record producer and the manager for The Who. ... The All Music Guide (AMG) is a metadata database about music, owned by All Media Guide. ... Image File history File links 4. ... PopMatters is an international magazine of cultural criticism. ... The Who are an English rock band that first formed in 1964, and grew to be considered one of the greatest[1] and most influential[2] bands in the world. ... Back cover The back cover of The Who Sell Out The Who Sell Out is The Whos third album, released in 1967. ... Live at Leeds (1970) is The Whos first live album, and indeed is their only live album that was released while the band was still recording and performing regularly. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Who are an English rock band that first formed in 1964, and grew to be considered one of the greatest[1] and most influential[2] bands in the world. ... The Whos Tommy, the first album explicitly billed as a rock opera A rock opera or rock musical is a musical production in the form of an opera or a musical in a modern rock and roll style rather than more traditional forms. ... Alternate cover Original soundtrack version Quadrophenia is a double album released by The Who on October 19, 1973, one of the groups two full-scale rock operas. ... // Perhaps the most famous musical events of 1969 are two legendary concerts. ... Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (born May 19, 1945 in Chiswick, London), is an award-winning English rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. ... John Alec Entwistle (October 9, 1944 – June 27, 2002) was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, and horn player, who was best known as the bass guitarist for rock band The Who. ... Keith John Moon (August 23, 1946 – September 7, 1978) was the drummer of the rock group The Who. ... Blues is a vocal and instrumental form of music based on the use of the blue notes and a repetitive pattern that most often follows a twelve-bar structure. ... Sonny Boy Williamson, circa 1964 Aleck Rice Miller (December 5, 1899 - May 25, 1965), a. ...

In 2003, the album was ranked number 96 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The album was also ranked #90 on VH1's 100 Greatest Albums of Rock & Roll and appears in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.^[1] This article is about the magazine. ... The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time is the cover story of a special issue of Rolling Stone magazine published in November 2003. ... VH1 (VH-1: Video Hits One until 1994) is an American cable television channel that was created in January 1985 by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Communications and owners of MTV. VH1 and sister channel MTV are currently part of the MTV Networks division... 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is a musical reference book edited by Robert Dimery. ...

Synopsis

Characters

• Tommy Walker: The protagonist of the story.
• Captain Walker: Tommy's father.
• Mrs. Walker: Tommy's mother.
• The Lover: a romantic partner of Tommy's mother.
• Uncle Ernie: Tommy's "wicked uncle", a child molester.
• Cousin Kevin: Tommy's cousin, the "school bully".
• The Hawker: The leader of a cult religion.
• Local Lad: The reigning champion of a pinball tournament, until Tommy defeats him and takes the title of "Pinball Wizard".
• The Acid Queen (AKA "The Gypsy"): A prostitute who deals in hallucinogenic substances and attempts to heal Tommy.
• The Doctor: A doctor who attempts to heal Tommy and finds out that his disabilities are all in his head.
• Sally Simpson: One of Tommy's "disciples".

Story in chronological order

• "Overture"/"It's a Boy" - British Army Captain Walker is reported missing in action during World War I, and is not expected ever to be seen again. Shortly after his wife, Mrs. Walker, receives this news, she gives birth to their son, Tommy.
• "1921" - Seven years later, Captain Walker returns home and discovers that his wife has found a new lover. The enraged Captain Walker confronts his wife and is killed by the lover. Tommy witnesses this through his mirror. To cover up the crime, Tommy's parents tell Tommy that he didn't see it, didn't hear it, and he will say "nothing to no one ever in [his] life". A traumatized Tommy becomes deaf, dumb, and blind.
• "Amazing Journey"/"Sparks" - Tommy's subconscious reveals itself to him as a tall stranger dressed in silvery robes with a golden floor-length beard, and the vision sets him on an internal spiritual journey upon which he learns to interpret all physical sensations as music.
• "Eyesight to the Blind (The Hawker)" - Tommy's parents take him to a church of a cult religion to try to cure him. "Eyesight..." is the cult leader's song.
• "Christmas" - Tommy's parents, reminded by the advent of a religious time of year, worry that his soul is at risk of damnation, since he is unaware of Jesus or prayer.
• "Cousin Kevin" - Tommy's parents become complacent and leave him in the care of a babysitter, his cousin Kevin. Kevin takes the opportunity to bully and torture Tommy without fear of anyone finding out. He ultimately gets bored with Tommy's limited reactions.
• "Acid Queen"/"Underture" - Tommy's parents once again try to cure him, this time by placing him in the care of a woman who tries to coax Tommy into full consciousness with hallucinogenic drugs. "Underture" is an extensive instrumental representing Tommy's experience on acid.
• "Do You Think It's Alright?"/"Fiddle About" - Tommy is left in the care of his uncle Ernie, an alcoholic sexual deviant who takes the opportunity to abuse Tommy without fear of anyone finding out.
• "Pinball Wizard" - Tommy is discovered to have a talent for pinball, and quickly defeats the game's tournament champion. This propels Tommy to international celebrity status. "Pinball Wizard" is the reigning champion's song.
• "There's a Doctor"/"Go to the Mirror" - Tommy's parents find a medical specialist to once more try to understand and cure his symptoms. After numerous tests, they are told that there is nothing medically wrong with him, and that his problems are psychosomatic. However, as they are trying to reach him, Tommy's subconscious is also trying to reach out to them.
• "Tommy Can You Hear Me?"/"Smash the Mirror" - Tommy's mother continues to try to reach him, and becomes frustrated that he completely ignores her while staring directly at a mirror. Out of this frustration she smashes the mirror.
• "Sensation"/"Miracle Cure" - The smashing of the mirror snaps Tommy out of his unreceptive state. Tommy's cure becomes a public sensation and he attains guru-like status. Thereafter he assumes a quasi-messianic mantle and tries to lead his fans to an enlightenment similar to his own.
• "Sally Simpson" - One of Tommy's "'disciples", Sally, is a young reverend's daughter who sneaks out of her home to attend one of Tommy's sermons. She ultimately attempts to touch him, only to be thrown from the stage by security and receives a gash on her face.
• "I'm Free" - Tommy attempts to spiritually enlighten those that are listening to his sermons.
• "Welcome"/"Tommy's Holiday Camp" - Tommy opens his own home to anyone willing to join him, and urges them to bring as many people with them as they can. His house is quickly filled though, so he builds a holiday camp to try to accommodate everybody. Tommy's freaky uncle Ernie is running the holiday camp.
• "We're Not Gonna Take It" - Tommy demands that his followers blind, deafen and mute themselves in order to truly reach their spiritual height, but the heavy-handedness of his cult and the exploitation of its followers by his family and associates cause his followers to revolt against him. Abandoned by his followers and worshippers, Tommy gains a new enlightenment. This is also the path the movie takes.

In its original album version, the story is quite scattered, and details were often filled in post facto by Townshend in interviews. As other adaptations of the album appeared, some details were filled out and others were changed. Notably, some later versions change the time frame from World War I/1921 to World War II/1951. The film version of Tommy also changes a major plot point: instead of Captain Walker killing his wife's new lover, the lover kills Captain Walker. This has led to endless confusion over the storyline, as some remember the album's version of events while others recall the film's. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Captain is a rank or title with various meanings. ... The soul, according to many religious and philosophical traditions, is the self-aware essence unique to a particular living being. ... // Tarnation redirects here. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... Mary Magdalene in prayer. ... Hallucinogenic drugs or hallucinogens are drugs that can alter sensory perceptions, elicit alternate states of consciousness, or cause hallucinations. ... King Alcohol and his Prime Minister circa 1820 Alcoholism is the consumption of or preoccupation with alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the alcoholics normal personal, family, social, or work life. ... In psychology and sexology, paraphilia (in Greek para παρά = besides and -philia φιλία = love) is a term that describes sexual arousal in response to sexual objects or situations which may interfere with the capacity for reciprocal affectionate sexual activity. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... An electronic pinball machine (Theatre of Magic), released 1995. ... A psychosomatic illness is one with physical manifestations and supposed psychological cause, often diagnosed when any known or identifiable physical cause was excluded by medical examination. ... In Judaism, the Messiah (Hebrew: , Standard  Tiberian  ; Arabic: ,  ; Aramaic:  ; the Anointed One) at first meant any person who was anointed with oil on rising to a certain position among the ancient Israelites, at first that of High priest, later that of King and also that of a prophet. ... The Reverend is an honorary prefix added to the names of Christian clergy and ministers. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

Analysis and history

When Tommy was released, critics were split between those who thought the album was a masterpiece, the beginnings of a new genre, and those that felt it was "sick" and exploitative because of its dark theme. The album was banned by the BBC and certain U.S. radio stations. Ultimately, the album became a huge commercial success, as did The Who's frequent live performances of the rock opera in the following years, arguably elevating The Who to a new level of prestige and international stardom. ([2])

Although Tommy is conventionally described as a rock opera, author and Who historian Richard Barnes points out that this definition is not strictly correct, since Tommy does not utilise the classic operatic formulae of staging, scenery, acting and recitative. According to Barnes, Tommy could be more accurately described as a "rock cantata" or a "rock song cycle". Richard Barnes could be Richard Barnes, a London politician Richard Barnes, an Australian journalist Richard Barnes, a musician Richard Barnes, a 16th-century Bishop of Durham Richard Barnes (1805-1846), a Newfoundland businessman and politician This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share... Theatrical scenery is things that are used as setting for a theatrical production. ... Recitative, a form of composition often used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas (and occasionally in operettas and even musicals), is melodic speech set to music, or a descriptive narrative song in which the music follows the words. ... A cantata (Italian, sung) is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment and generally containing more than one movement. ... A song cycle is a group of songs designed to be performed in sequence as a single entity. ...

Musically, the original album is a complex set of pop-rock arrangements, generally based upon Townshend's acoustic guitar and built up with many overdubs by the four members of the band using many instruments, including bass, electric and acoustic guitars, piano, organ, drumkit, gong, tympani, trumpet, French horn, three-part vocal harmonies and occasional doubling on vocal solos. Despite this instrumental richness the sound tends to be very "stark", especially in comparison to the band's later work. Many of the instruments only appear intermittently -- the ten-minute "Underture" features a single toot on the horn -- and when overdubbed many of the instruments are mixed at low levels that require careful listening to notice. Townshend mixes fingerpicking in with his trademark power chords and fat riffs, and in some delicate moments his guitar sounds almost like a harpsichord. Moon's drumming is controlled with a few dramatic moments; Entwistle's bass provides support and effectively takes the instrumental lead in several cuts. Daltrey swaggers as lead vocalist, but shares that role with the others on a surprising number of tracks. Townshend's later interest in synthesizers is foreshadowed by the use of taped sounds played in reverse to give a whistling, chirping sound on "Amazing Journey." In music, a power chord is a bare fifth, or a similar chord, usually played on electric guitar with distortion. ... Riff is also an alternate spelling of Rif, a region of Morocco. ... Harpsichord in the Flemish style A harpsichord is any of a family of European keyboard instruments, including the large instrument currently called a harpsichord, but also the smaller virginals, the muselar virginals and the spinet. ...

"Amazing Journey" can be interpreted as the central pivot of Tommy, since its lyrics are essential to understanding what the opera is about (beyond the facile story line). "Go to the Mirror" is the climax of the opera both musically and dramatically; tradition holds that when the band was touring the show live the audiences would spontaneously stand up during "Go to the Mirror" and remain standing until the end—listening in silence, unlike the customary behavior of Who fans. "We're Not Gonna Take It / See Me, Feel Me / Listening to You" is the denouement, with its ambiguous return to the earlier state of the story reinforced in concert by returning to the riff from "Overture" and "Go to the Mirror" at the very end rather than the long fade from the studio recording. Various themes are repeated in different songs in order to give the opera a coherent feel. Lyrics are the words in songs. ... Denouement, in literature, is the end part of a story after the climax. ...

The tracks "Overture", "Pinball Wizard", "I'm Free", and the "See Me, Feel Me / Listening to You" reprise were released as singles and got a decent amount of airplay. "Pinball Wizard" reached the top twenty in the U.S. and the top five in the UK. "See Me, Feel Me / Listening To You" landed high in the top twenty in the U.S. and "I'm Free" reached the top forty. The tracks "Overture", "Christmas", "I’m Free", and "See Me Feel Me" were released on an EP in late 1970. The "Overture" was also covered by a band called The Assembled Multitude and received a lot of airplay. Tommy was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. Pinball Wizard is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by the English rock band The Who, and featured on their 1969 rock opera Tommy. ... // Extended play (EP) is the name typically given to vinyl records or CDs which contain more than one single but are too short to qualify as albums. ... The Grammy Hall of Fame Award is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old and that have qualitative or historical significance. Alphabetical listing by title: List of Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients A-D List of Grammy Hall...

The child abuse that features so prominently in the story caused a good deal of outcry when it was first released. It has often been claimed that the basic idea of the Tommy story was lifted from The Pretty Things' 1968 concept album S.F. Sorrow, and Townshend himself later admitted that he listened to the Pretty Things LP extensively and that it was a major inspiration for Tommy. Steve Marriott also claimed that some musical elements in Tommy were "borrowed" from the music of The Small Faces. Christian rock pioneer Larry Norman, in his official biography, states that "Pete Townshend credited Larry's own rock-opera, The Epic, for inspiring the rock-opera, Tommy, recorded by The Who" [3]. Notwithstanding the numerous outside influences, several structural precedents for Tommy exist in Townshend's own work, including "Glow Girl" (1968), "Rael" (1967), and the sectional work "A Quick One While He's Away" (1966). The Pretty Things are a 1960s and 1970s rock and roll band from London. ... S.F. Sorrow is the title of a 1968 LP by British rock group The Pretty Things. ... Steve Marriott (30 January 1947 in Upton, East London, – 20 April 1991 in Arkesden, Essex. ... Small Faces were a British mod group formed in 1965[1] by Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, and Jimmy Winston (who was soon replaced by Ian McLagan). ... A Quick One While Hes Away is a 1966 medley written by Pete Townshend and recorded by The Who for their album A Quick One. ...

A couple of years before the album came out Pete Townshend explained his ideas and apparently actually thought out some of the structure of the opera during a famous Rolling Stone interview. John Entwistle claimed years after the release that he had never actually listened to the album because he was so sick of it after the endless takes and re-takes. This article is about the magazine. ... This article needs cleanup. ...

Editions

Tommy was originally released as a two-LP set with a thin booklet of lyrics and artwork in a triptych-style fold-out cover. All three of the outer panels of the triptych are spanned by a single Pop Art painting by Mike McInnerney. The drawing is a sphere with diamond-shaped cutouts and an overlay of clouds and seagulls rendered with a figure-ground ambiguity. To one side a star-spangled hand bursts from the dark background, index finger pointing forward. (The image above only shows the central panel of the triptych.) The label's executives insisted on having a picture of the band on the cover, so small, barely recognizable images of the band members' faces were inserted into the gaps in the sphere, each with an outstretched hand like a groping Tommy Walker. (The most recent remastered CD release reverts to McInnerney's original artwork without the faces.) The internal artwork consists of a photo of some jugglers/magicians and some very simple paintings that only hint at illustrating the story. A gramophone record, (also phonograph record - often simply record) is an analog sound recording medium: a flat disc rotating at a constant angular velocity, with inscribed spiral grooves in which a stylus or needle rides. ... The Raising of the Cross, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal, Antwerp A triptych (from the Greek tri- three + ptychē fold) is a work of art (usually a panel painting) which is divided into three sections, or three carved panels which are hinged together. ... Just What Is It That Makes Today’s Homes So Different, So Appealing? (1956) is one of the earliest works to be considered pop art. ...

MCA re-released the album as a two-CD set in 1984. The CDs were in separate jewel cases and each had a miniaturized copy of the original artwork and lyrics in the insert, though it only included two panels of the magnificent triptych. Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab later published it on a single gold-plated Ultradisc in their Original Master Recording series, with a much improved reproduction of the artwork (including a fold-out of the full original cover), and with the substitution of an alternate take on "Eyesight to the Blind". MCA finally released their own remastered edition on a single disc in 1996, complete with good artwork and a written introduction by Richard Barnes. The Music Corporation of America was a United States based corporation in the music business. ... Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL, or MoFi) is a company that produces audiophile releases of classic CDs and vinyl records. ... Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL, or MoFi) is a company that produces audiophile releases of classic CDs and vinyl records. ...

Currently Tommy is now released as a deluxe 2-disc hybrid SACD with a 5.1 multi-channel mix. This was done utilizing master tapes that were thought long lost. When Tommy was first released, a "sweetened" master tape was used incorporating echo effects and doubling the vocal harmonies. This bare-bones master is said to have a more warm and natural sound to give a more "live" feel. Many critics have hailed this release to be the more definitive edition. The re-mastering was done under the supervision of Townshend and also includes some outtakes and other cuts during the same sessions. One cut called "Dogs-Part 2" that was only previously available as the B-side of the Pinball Wizard single is included. Super Audio CD (SACD) is a read-only optical audio disc format aimed at providing much higher fidelity digital audio reproduction than the compact disc. ...

Track listing

All songs were written by Pete Townshend except where noted. Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (born May 19, 1945 in Chiswick, London), is an award-winning English rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. ...

Original 1969 album

Side one

1. "Overture" – 5:21
2. "It's a Boy" – 0:38
3. "1921" – 2:49
   • On some versions, the title of "1921" was changed to "You Didn't Hear It". Some vinyl copies had both titles, the former in the lyrics and the latter on the label.
4. "Amazing Journey" – 3:25
5. "Sparks" – 3:46
6. "Eyesight to the Blind (The Hawker)" (Williamson) – 2:13

Overture is a song by the British rock band the Who released in 1969. ... The second song on the rock-opera, Tommy by The Who, Its a Boy is a conversation from the Doctors and Nurses who birthed Tommy, to Mrs. ... 1921 is a song composed and sung by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Amazing Journey is a song on The Whos Tommy. ... Sparks is an instrumental by The Who, which originally featured on the album Tommy (1969). ... Eyesight to the Blind, also known as The Hawker, is the sixth song on The Whos rock opera Tommy. ... Sonny Boy Williamson, circa 1964 Aleck Rice Miller (December 5, 1899 - May 25, 1965), a. ...

Side two

1. "Christmas" – 4:34
2. "Cousin Kevin" (Entwistle) – 4:07
3. "Acid Queen" – 3:34
4. "Underture" – 10:09

Christmas is a song written by Pete Townshend and is the seventh song on The Whos rock opera Tommy. ... Cousin Kevin is a song by the rock band The Who. ... John Alec Entwistle (October 9, 1944 – June 27, 2002) was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, and horn player, who was best known as the bass guitarist for rock band The Who. ... Acid Queen is a song written by Pete Townshend and is the ninth song on The Whos rock opera Tommy. ... Underture is the tenth song on The Whos 1969 rock opera, Tommy. ...

Side three

1. "Do You Think It's Alright?" – 0:24
2. "Fiddle About" (Entwistle) – 1:26
3. "Pinball Wizard" – 3:01
4. "There's a Doctor" – 0:23
5. "Go to the Mirror!" – 3:49
6. "Tommy, Can You Hear Me?" – 1:36
7. "Smash the Mirror" – 1:35
8. "Sensation" – 2:27

Do You Think Its Alright? is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Fiddle About is a song written by John Entwistle of The Who. ... John Alec Entwistle (October 9, 1944 – June 27, 2002) was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, and horn player, who was best known as the bass guitarist for rock band The Who. ... Pinball Wizard is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by the English rock band The Who, and featured on their 1969 rock opera Tommy. ... Theres a Doctor is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Go to the Mirror! is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Tommy, Can You Hear Me? is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Smash the Mirror is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Sensation is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ...

Side four

1. "Miracle Cure" – 0:12
2. "Sally Simpson" – 4:12
3. "I'm Free" – 2:40
4. "Welcome" – 4:34
5. "Tommy's Holiday Camp" (Moon) – 0:57
   • "Tommy's Holiday Camp" was also written by Townshend. Keith Moon was awarded credit for conceiving the holiday camp setting.
6. "We're Not Gonna Take It" – 7:08

1. ^ http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/1001albums.htm

Miracle Cure is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Sally Simpson is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Im Free is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by The Who on the album Tommy. ... Welcome is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Tommys Holiday Camp is a track on The Who album Tommy (1969). ... Keith John Moon (August 23, 1946 – September 7, 1978) was the drummer of the rock group The Who. ... Keith John Moon (August 23, 1946 – September 7, 1978) was the drummer of the rock group The Who. ... Were Not Gonna Take It is a 1969 song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ...

Deluxe edition

In 2003, Tommy was released as a deluxe edition as a Hybrid SACD and DVD-audio. The two formats featured the original album remixed into 5.1 surround sound and both featured a bonus disc of "out-takes and demos". Reefer Madness was issued in a Special Addiction as a reference to the cult films ironic appeal. ... Super Audio CD (SACD) is a new audio recording format aimed at providing higher fidelity audio reproduction than the compact disc. ... The DVD-Audio logo. ...

Disc one

1. "Overture" – 5:21
2. "It's a Boy" – 0:38
3. "1921" – 2:49
4. "Amazing Journey" – 3:25
5. "Sparks" – 3:46
6. "Eyesight to the Blind (The Hawker)" (Williamson) – 2:13
7. "Christmas" – 4:34
8. "Cousin Kevin" (Entwistle) – 4:07
9. "Acid Queen" – 3:34
10. "Underture" – 10:09
11. "Do You Think It's Alright?" – 0:24
12. "Fiddle About" (Entwistle) – 1:26
13. "Pinball Wizard" – 3:01
14. "There's a Doctor" – 0:23
15. "Go to the Mirror!" – 3:49
16. "Tommy, Can You Hear Me?" – 1:36
17. "Smash the Mirror" – 1:35
18. "Sensation" – 2:27
19. "Miracle Cure" – 0:12
20. "Sally Simpson" – 4:12
21. "I'm Free" – 2:40
22. "Welcome" – 4:34
23. "Tommy's Holiday Camp" (Moon) – 0:57
24. "We're Not Gonna Take It" – 3:38
25. "See Me, Feel Me/Listening to You" – 3:41

Overture is a song by the British rock band the Who released in 1969. ... The second song on the rock-opera, Tommy by The Who, Its a Boy is a conversation from the Doctors and Nurses who birthed Tommy, to Mrs. ... 1921 is a song composed and sung by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Amazing Journey is a song on The Whos Tommy. ... Sparks is an instrumental by The Who, which originally featured on the album Tommy (1969). ... Eyesight to the Blind, also known as The Hawker, is the sixth song on The Whos rock opera Tommy. ... Sonny Boy Williamson, circa 1964 Aleck Rice Miller (December 5, 1899 - May 25, 1965), a. ... Christmas is a song written by Pete Townshend and is the seventh song on The Whos rock opera Tommy. ... Cousin Kevin is a song by the rock band The Who. ... John Alec Entwistle (October 9, 1944 – June 27, 2002) was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, and horn player, who was best known as the bass guitarist for rock band The Who. ... Acid Queen is a song written by Pete Townshend and is the ninth song on The Whos rock opera Tommy. ... Underture is the tenth song on The Whos 1969 rock opera, Tommy. ... Do You Think Its Alright? is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Fiddle About is a song written by John Entwistle of The Who. ... John Alec Entwistle (October 9, 1944 – June 27, 2002) was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, and horn player, who was best known as the bass guitarist for rock band The Who. ... Pinball Wizard is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by the English rock band The Who, and featured on their 1969 rock opera Tommy. ... Theres a Doctor is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Go to the Mirror! is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Tommy, Can You Hear Me? is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Smash the Mirror is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Sensation is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Miracle Cure is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Sally Simpson is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Im Free is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by The Who on the album Tommy. ... Welcome is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ... Tommys Holiday Camp is a track on The Who album Tommy (1969). ... Keith John Moon (August 23, 1946 – September 7, 1978) was the drummer of the rock group The Who. ... Were Not Gonna Take It is a 1969 song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. ...

Disc two

The first twelve tracks are out-takes and demos and the last five are stereo only demos.

1. "I Was" (previously unreleased) – 0:17
2. "Christmas" (Out-take 3) (previously unreleased) – 4:43
3. "Cousin Kevin Model Child" – 1:25
4. "Young Man Blues" (Version 1) (Allison) – 2:51
5. "Tommy Can You Hear Me?" (alternate version, previously unreleased) – 1:59
6. "Trying to Get Through" (previously unreleased) – 2:51
7. "Sally Simpson" (Out-takes) (previously unreleased) – 4:09
8. "Miss Simpson" (previously unreleased) – 4:18
9. "Welcome" (Take 2) (previously unreleased) – 3:44
10. "Tommy's Holiday Camp" (band's version, previously unreleased) – 1:07
11. "We're Not Gonna Take It" (alternate version, previously unreleased) – 6:08
12. "Dogs, Part Two" (Moon) – 2:26
13. "It's a Boy" (previously unreleased) – 0:43
14. "Amazing Journey" (previously unreleased) – 3:41
15. "Christmas" – 1:55
16. "Do You Think It's Alright?" (previously unreleased) – 0:28
17. "Pinball Wizard" – 3:46

The DVD-Audio edition also includes a bonus video interview with Pete Townshend plus a demonstration of his remixing the original recording into 5.1 sound. Mose John Allison, Jr. ...

Singles

• "Pinball Wizard" / "Dogs, Pt. 2"
• "I'm Free" / "We're Not Gonna Take It"
• "See Me, Feel Me" / "Overture from Tommy"

Pinball Wizard is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by the English rock band The Who, and featured on their 1969 rock opera Tommy. ...

Personnel

• Roger Daltrey – lead vocals, harmonica
• Pete Townshend – guitars, keyboards, vocals
• John Entwistle – bass guitar, horns, vocals
• Keith Moon – drums, percussion, vocals
• Paul Townshend (Pete's brother) – backing vocals
• Simon Townshend (Pete's brother) – backing vocals

This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... A singer is a musician who uses their voice to produce music. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (born May 19, 1945 in Chiswick, London), is an award-winning English rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. ... The classical guitar typically has nylon strings. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... John Alec Entwistle (October 9, 1944 – June 27, 2002) was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, and horn player, who was best known as the bass guitarist for rock band The Who. ... The electric bass guitar (or electric bass) is a bass string instrument played with the fingers by plucking, slapping, or using a pick. ... The horn (popularly known also as the French horn) is a brass instrument decended from the natural horn that consists of tubing wrapped into a coiled form. ... Keith John Moon (August 23, 1946 – September 7, 1978) was the drummer of the rock group The Who. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... Percussion instruments are played by being struck, shaken, rubbed or scraped. ... Simon Townshend is a British guitarist, singer and songwriter. ...

Live recordings

Whilst The Who regularly played Tommy live at the time of its release, they rarely, if ever, played it in the form in which it was released, instead deciding to change the running order and omit some tracks entirely. Four tracks that were regularly not featured were "Cousin Kevin", "Underture", "Sensation" and "Welcome".

A live recording of Tommy in this altered state is available on the 2001 Deluxe Edition of the 1970 live album Live at Leeds. It is also available on the official release Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 from the same period, which was released in 1996. Live at Leeds (1970) is The Whos first live album, and indeed is their only live album that was released while the band was still recording and performing regularly. ... Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 (1970) is an album by The Who which was released in 1996. ...

The Who also performed Tommy for its 20^th anniversary during their 1989 reunion tour, reinstating the previously overlooked "Cousin Kevin" and "Sensation" but still omitting "Underture" and "Welcome". Recordings from this tour can be found on the Join Together live album and the Tommy and Quadrophenia Live with Special Guests DVD. // Overture/Its a Boy 1921 Amazing Journey Sparks Eyesight to the Blind Christmas Cousin Kevin Acid Queen Do You Think Its Alright? Fiddle About Pinball Wizard Theres a Doctor Go to the Mirror Boy Tommy Can You Hear Me Smash the Mirror Sensation Miracle Cure Sally Simpson...

Other incarnations

1972 orchestral version

In late 1972 entrepreneur Lou Reizner presented two concert versions of Tommy at the Rainbow Theatre, London. The concerts featured The Who, plus an all-star guest cast, backed by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Measham. The concerts were held to promote the release of Reizner's new studio recording of this "symphonic" version of Tommy. This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom. ...

Both in concert and on record, major singing roles were performed by leading pop and rock stars of the day -- David Essex, Maggie Bell, Sandy Denny, Steve Winwood, Rod Stewart, Richie Havens and Ringo Starr. Pete Townshend also plays a bit of guitar, but otherwise the music is predominantly orchestral. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Maggie Bell (born January 12th 1945) is a Glaswegian singer. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Roderick David Stewart, CBE (born January 10, 1945), is a Scottish singer born and raised in London. ... Richie Havens (born January 21, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York) is an African American folk singer and guitarist. ... Richard Starkey Jr, MBE (born 7 July 1940), known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an Academy Award and Grammy Award winning English musician, singer, songwriter and actor, best known as the drummer of The Beatles. ...

The studio version of the orchestral Tommy was issued in a lavish boxed-set format, featuring stunning original artwork and photography, which used a pinball as its main motif. The packaging, designed by Wilkes and Braun, won the Best Album Package Grammy in 1974. The 16th Grammy Awards were held in 1974, and were broadcast live on American television. ...

The orchestral version was also performed in Australia in March 1973, to thousands at open air venues (Melbourne's Myer Music Bowl and Sydney's Randwick Racecourse). Keith Moon appeared as "Uncle Ernie" with local stars Daryl Braithwaite (as Tommy), Billy Thorpe, Doug Parkinson, Wendy Saddington, Jim Keays, Graeme Bell, Broderick Smith, Colleen Hewitt, Linda George, Ross Wilson, Bobby Bright, and a full orchestra. The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is an architecturally significant, outdoor performance venue in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Randwick Racecourse (, ) is a racecourse in the east of Sydney, New South Wales. ... Daryl Braithwaite (born January 11, 1949) is an Australian singer who rose to fame as the lead singer of successful band Sherbet in the 1970s, and went on to have a number of solo hits in the 80s and 90s. ... For a full history, see Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs. ... Doug Parkinson is an Australian singer who first came to fame with his band Doug Parkinson In Focus in 1969 and had numerous hits on the Australian Top 40 charts. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Graeme Bell MBE (born September 7, 1914) is an Australian jazz pianist and composer. ... The Dingoes were an Australian rock band from 1973 to 1979. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Bobby & Laurie were a popular Australian singing duo of the 1960s, featuring Laurie Allen (vocals, guitar, keyboards) and Bobby Bright (vocals, guitar). ...

Bootleg issues of the concert performances (which were recorded by the BBC) have also been released. An assortment of bootleg recordings A bootleg recording (or simply bootleg or boot) is an audio and/or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist, or under other legal authority. ...

Below is the track listing with the performer(s) of the track in parenthesis. All songs include the Chamber Choir and London Symphony Orchestra as performers, although they are not listed as such unless they are the sole performer.

Track listing for the orchestral version

1. "Overture" (London Symphony Orchestra)
2. "It's a Boy" (Sandy Denny & Pete Townshend)
3. "1921" (Graham Bell, Maggie Bell, Roger Daltrey & Steve Winwood)
4. "Amazing Journey" (Pete Townshend)
5. "Sparks" (London Symphony Orchestra)
6. "Eyesight to the Blind" (Richie Havens)
7. "Christmas" (Roger Daltrey & Steve Winwood)
8. "Cousin Kevin" (John Entwistle)
9. "The Acid Queen" (Merry Clayton)
10. "Underture" (London Symphony Orchestra)
11. "Do You Think It's Alright?" (Maggie Bell & Steve Winwood)
12. "Fiddle About" (Ringo Starr)
13. "Pinball Wizard" (Rod Stewart)
14. "There's a Doctor" (Roger Daltrey, Richard Harris & Steve Winwood)
15. "Go to the Mirror" (Roger Daltrey & Steve Winwood)
16. "Tommy, Can You Hear Me?" (Maggie Bell)
17. "Smash the Mirror" (Maggie Bell)
18. "I'm Free" (Roger Daltrey)
19. "Miracle Cure" (Chamber Choir)
20. "Sensation" (Roger Daltrey)
21. "Sally Simpson" (Pete Townshend)
22. "Welcome" (Roger Daltrey)
23. "Tommy's Holiday Camp" (Roger Daltrey & Ringo Starr)
24. "We're Not Gonna Take It" (Roger Daltrey)
25. "See Me, Feel Me" (Roger Daltrey)

The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (born May 19, 1945 in Chiswick, London), is an award-winning English rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. ... Graham Bell could refer to: Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of telephony D. Graham Bell, ornithologist This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Maggie Bell (born January 12th 1945) is a Glaswegian singer. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (born May 19, 1945 in Chiswick, London), is an award-winning English rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. ... The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom. ... Richie Havens (born January 21, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York) is an African American folk singer and guitarist. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... John Alec Entwistle (October 9, 1944 – June 27, 2002) was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, and horn player, who was best known as the bass guitarist for rock band The Who. ... Merry Clayton (born December 25, 1948 in Gert Town, New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American gospel singer. ... The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom. ... Maggie Bell (born January 12th 1945) is a Glaswegian singer. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Richard Starkey Jr, MBE (born 7 July 1940), known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an Academy Award and Grammy Award winning English musician, singer, songwriter and actor, best known as the drummer of The Beatles. ... Roderick David Stewart, CBE (born January 10, 1945), is a Scottish singer born and raised in London. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Richard St. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Maggie Bell (born January 12th 1945) is a Glaswegian singer. ... Maggie Bell (born January 12th 1945) is a Glaswegian singer. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (born May 19, 1945 in Chiswick, London), is an award-winning English rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Richard Starkey Jr, MBE (born 7 July 1940), known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an Academy Award and Grammy Award winning English musician, singer, songwriter and actor, best known as the drummer of The Beatles. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ...

1975 film version

See main article Tommy (film).

In 1975 Tommy was adapted as a film, produced by expatriate Australian entrepreneur Robert Stigwood and directed by maverick British auteur Ken Russell. The movie version starred Daltrey as Tommy, and featured other members of The Who plus an eclectic supporting cast including Hollywood legend Ann-Margret as Tommy's mother, Oliver Reed as the boyfriend, with cameo appearances by Elton John, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Arthur Brown and Jack Nicholson. Roger Daltrey as Tommy Tommy was a 1975 musical film, based on The Whos 1969 rock opera concept album Tommy. ... Robert Stigwood (born April 16, 1934 in Adelaide, Australia) is an Australian-born entertainment entrepreneur. ... Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell, known as Ken Russell (born July 3, 1927), is an iconoclastic English film director, particularly well-known for his films about famous composers and his controversial, often outrageous pioneering work in film. ... Ann-Margret Ann-Margret (born April 28, 1941) is a Swedish-born actress and singer. ... Robert Oliver Reed (February 13, 1938 – May 2, 1999) was an English actor known for his macho image on and off screen. ... Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE[2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a five-time Grammy and one-time Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock) November 26, 1939) is an 11 time Grammy Award-winning (sharing three), American Singer, Dancer, Record Producer, Executive Producer, Film Producer, Actress, Writer, Performer, Songwriter, Author and occasional Painter whose career has spanned from 1956 to present. ... Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born 30 March 1945), nicknamed Slowhand, is a Grammy Award winning British guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. ... Brown on the cover of The Crazy World of Arthur Browns Nightmare single The Rev. ... Nicholson as Wilbur Force in The Little Shop of Horrors (1960). ...

Tommy was one of the first music films released with a multichannel hi-fi soundtrack (billed as "quintaphonic sound") and in many theaters it was presented with high-powered concert-style sound reinforcement, played at rock concert volumes.

The film received mixed reviews but was a huge commercial success on release and has achieved cult film status due to scenes such as Arthur Brown's portrayal of a priest in Tommy's cult, Ann-Margret's frolic in a pool of beans (a reference to the cover of The Who's 1967 LP Sell Out) and the sharp satire on pop music presented by the "Sally Simpson" scene. Other highlights included Elton John's memorable appearance (sporting metre-high Doctor Marten boots) as the "Pinball Wizard" and Tina Turner's electrifying cameo as the "Acid Queen." This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Brown on the cover of The Crazy World of Arthur Browns Nightmare single The Rev. ... Ann-Margret Ann-Margret (born April 28, 1941) is a Swedish-born actress and singer. ... Back cover The back cover of The Who Sell Out The Who Sell Out is The Whos third album, released in 1967. ... Dr. Martens is a brand of shoe, often known as Doc Martens, Docs, or DMs. They have a characteristic air-cushioned sole, dubbed Bouncing Soles, developed by Dr. Klaus Maertens (note the different spelling). ...

Townshend reworked the storyline extensively for the film, fleshing out much that was obscure in the original version, and moving the time-frame forward to a more believable era, the period following World War II. This also (somewhat) cured the anachronism arising from Sally Simpson's marriage to a rock musician from California after her ejection from Tommy's sermon. Since no such musicians existed until the 1960s, Sally would had a 30+ year wait and would have been in her 50s by then. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

The film version also reversed a crucial plot point: in the film, Tommy's father is murdered by his mother's lover, rather than the lover being killed by the returning Capt. Walker, as in the original storyline. The result can be seen as lending an incestuous charge to the mother/son relationship as Tommy's mother sees her former husband within her son.

Townshend also oversaw the production of a new double-LP recording that returned the music to its rock roots, and on which the unrecorded orchestral arrangements he had envisaged for the original Tommy LP were realised by the extensive use of synthesiser. The soundtrack LP also employed many leading sessions musicians including Caleb Quaye and longtime Who associate John "Rabbit" Bundrick. The song "Pinball Wizard" was a major hit when released as a single. Curiously, although the music for this song is performed entirely by Elton John and his band, the film depicts Elton being backed by The Who (dressed in pound-note suits). The term synthesiser is also used to mean frequency synthesiser, an electronic system found in communications. ... Caleb Quaye (born 1948 in London, England), is a rock guitarist and studio musician best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s with Elton John, Mick Jagger, Pete Townsend, Paul McCartney and Hall and Oates. ... John Rabbit Bundrick (born November 21, 1948) is a prominent American-born rock keyboardist, pianist, and organist, having played on albums by The Who, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Roger Waters, Free, and Crawler, among several others. ...

Most of the extras were students at Portsmouth Polytechnic and were paid with tickets to a Who concert after filming had finished. Ken Russell included the shots he took of the pier at Southsea, which burned down while the crew were in town.

Track listing for the soundtrack album

Side one

1. "Overture from Tommy" (performed by the Who) – 4:59
2. "Prologue" - 1945 (performed by Pete Townshend and John Entwistle) – 3:00
3. "Captain Walker/It's a Boy" (performed by Pete Townshend, Margo Newman and Vicki Brown) – 2:38
4. "Bernie's Holiday Camp" (performed by the Who, with vocals by Oliver Reed, Ann-Margret and Alison Dowling) – 3:42
5. "1951/What about the Boy?" (performed by Mott the Hoople, with vocals by Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed) – 2:49
6. "Amazing Journey" (performed by Pete Townshend) – 3:19
7. "Christmas" (performed by the Who and the vocal chorus, with lead vocals by Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed and Alison Dowling) – 3:59
8. "Eyesight to the Blind" (performed by Eric Clapton) – 3:21

Side two

1. "Acid Queen" (performed by Tina Turner) – 3:47
2. "Do You Think It's Alright?" (1) (performed by Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed) – 0:57
3. "Cousin Kevin" (performed by Paul Nicholas) – 3:07
4. "Do You Think It's Alright?" (2) (performed by Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed) – 0:46
5. "Fiddle About" (performed by the Who, with lead vocals by Keith Moon) – 1:40
6. "Do You Think It's Alright?" (3) (performed by Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed) – 0:29
7. "Sparks" (performed by the Who) – 3:07
8. "Extra, Extra, Extra" (performed by Simon Townshend) – 0:37
9. "Pinball Wizard" (performed by Elton John) – 5:22

Side three

1. "Champagne" (performed by the Who, with vocals by Ann-Margret and Roger Daltrey) – 4:43
2. "There's a Doctor" (performed by Oliver Reed and Ann-Margret) – 0:29
3. "Go to the Mirror" (performed by Jack Nicholson, Roger Daltrey and Ann-Margret) – 3:49
4. "Tommy Can You Hear Me?" (performed by Ann-Margret) – 0:55
5. "Smash the Mirror!" (performed by Ann-Margret) – 1:22
6. "I'm Free" (performed by Roger Daltrey) – 2:36
7. "Mother and Son" (performed by Pete Townshend, with vocals by Ann-Margret and Roger Daltrey) – 2:36
8. "Sensation" (performed by Roger Daltrey) – 2:49 (on the LP and 8-track, 4:37 on the cassette and CD)

Side four

1. "Miracle Cure" (performed by Simon Townshend) – 0:23
2. "Sally Simpson" (performed by Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey) – 5:38
3. "Welcome" (performed by Pete Townshend, with vocals performed by Roger Daltrey, Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed) – 4:15
4. "T.V. Studio" (performed by Pete Townshend, with vocals performed by Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed) – 1:14
5. "Tommy's Holiday Camp" (performed by Keith Moon) – 1:29
6. "We're Not Gonna Take It!" (performed by Roger Daltrey and the vocal chorus) – 4:46
7. "Listening to You/See Me, Feel Me" (performed by the Who and the vocal chorus, with lead vocals by Roger Daltrey) – 4:19

1993 stage version

In 1993, Townshend and San Diego theatrical director Des McAnuff wrote and produced a Broadway musical adaptation of Tommy. The production featured a new song by Townshend (I Believe My Own Eyes), several rewrites in lyrics, and an all-star cast. Initially, the show received mixed reviews; for example, while The New York Times' theatre critic Frank Rich praised it ([4]), the same paper's music critic Jon Pareles argued that "Their (Townshend's and McAnuff's) changes turn a blast of spiritual yearning, confusion and rebellion into a pat on the head for nesters and couch potatoes" ([5]). Later, Townshend partly responded to the criticisms ([6]). Ultimately, the production won five Tony Awards that year, including Best Original Score for Townshend. Various touring revivals have met with popular acclaim since. Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney         City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders (R) Michael Aguirre Scott Peters Kevin... Des McAnuff is the highly celebrated, Tony award-winning director of such hit Broadway musicals as Big River, The Whos Tommy, Titanic, and most recently, Urinetown. ... Musical theater (or theatre) is a form of theater combining music, songs, dance, and spoken dialogue. ... The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City by Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. ... Frank Rich (born June 2, 1949 in Washington, D.C.) is a columnist for The New York Times. ... Jon Pareles is an American journalist who is chief music critic at the arts section of the New York Times. ... What is popularly called the Tony Award® but is formally the Antoinette Perry Award is an annual American award celebrating achievements in theater, including musical theater. ...

The musical version reorganizes the numbers and changes many lyrics. The setting is in post-World War II Britain, as in the film version. Nevertheless, unlike the film, the lyrics "Got a feelin '21 is gonna be a good year" remain the same, though now referring to Mrs. Walker's birthday. Also, Captain Walker kills the lover, as in the original album and unlike the film, where the lover kills Captain Walker and takes his place. Perhaps the most striking change vis-a-vis previous versions is that after the "Sally Simpson" scene, Tommy renounces his messianic role and returns to his family, embracing and praising the kind of "normality" that everybody else has and that he has been deprived of (significantly, the new version introduced lines such as "freedom lies here in normality" and excluded the earlier versions' "Hey, old hung-up Mr. Normal, don't try to gain my trust"). Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

Track listing for the cast album

Indexed by promo-only vinyl side breaks.

Side one

1. "Overture" – 4:41
2. "Captain Walker" – 1:45
3. "It's a Boy" – 0:53
4. "We've Won" – 1:01
5. "Twenty-One" – 4:13
6. "Amazing Journey" – 3:11
7. "Courtroom Scene" (interlude) – 1:15
8. "Sparks" – 2:13
9. "Amazing Journey" (reprise) – 1:04
10. "Christmas" – 5:04

Side two

1. "Do You Think It's Alright" – 1:09
2. "Fiddle About" – 1:35
3. "See Me, Feel Me" – 1:08
4. "Cousin Kevin" – 3:35
5. "Sensation" – 4:14
6. "Sparks" (reprise) – 1:55
7. "Eyesight to the Blind" – 2:50
8. "Acid Queen" – 4:01
9. "Pinball Wizard" – 3:50

Side three

1. "Underture" – 2:37
2. "There's a Doctor" – 1:13
3. "Go to the Mirror/Listening to You" – 3:36
4. "Tommy, Can You Hear Me?" – 2:00
5. "I Believe My Own Eyes" – 4:01
6. "Smash the Mirror" – 2:41
7. "I'm Free" – 2:52

Side four

1. "Streets of London 1961-1963" (interlude)/"Miracle Cure" – 0:36
2. "Sensation" (reprise) – 2:21
3. "Tommy the Star" (excerpted from "I'm Free" and "Pinball Wizard") – 3:55
4. "Tommy's Holiday Camp" – 1:57
5. "Sally Simpson" – 3:35
6. "Welcome" – 3:20
7. "Sally Simpson's Question" – 1:13
8. "We're Not Gonna Take It" – 3:03
9. "Finale" – 5:07

Miscellaneous

• "Tommy's Holiday Camp" was credited to being written by Keith Moon on the album. Pete Townshend originally wrote it, but credited it to Moon because had the idea that Tommy's spiritual center would be a holiday camp on the British Isles.
• The "Sparks" and "Underture" instrumentals come from a section of the mini-opera "Rael" on The Who Sell Out (1967).
• The original album was dedicated to Meher Baba. (He is listed as "Avatar" in the album credits.)
• Songs written for Tommy that didn't end up on the record include "Beat Up," "Trying To Get Through," "School Song," "Dream (Erotic)," and "Cousin Kevin Model Child." "Water," a track best known as a minor part of the later unfinished Lifehouse album, has often been linked with Tommy as well.
• "Underture" was originally called "Dream (Psychedelic)." An instrumental called "Dream (Erotic)" was also said to have been written.
• It is ranked 96th on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
• The climax of Tommy was said by many to be the highlight of the 1969 Woodstock festival. As Roger Daltrey began to sing "See Me, Feel Me", the sun began to rise, as if on cue. The moment is captured on film in The Kids Are Alright and Woodstock. It is said that this moment helped with Tommy's popularity in the States.
• The album Snow (2002) by Spock's Beard has a storyline and themes very similar to Tommy.
• In 2003 the TV network VH1 named Tommy the 90th greatest album of all time.
• In April 2004, Uncut magazine produced a compilation CD called The Roots Of Tommy, featuring the music which inspired the album.
• The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ran an exhibit on Tommy called "TOMMY: The Amazing Journey" in 2005–2006.
• In the movie Almost Famous the main protagonist, William Miller, receives a note written by his sister - "Listen to Tommy with a candle burning and you will see your entire future". The song he listens to is the instrumental "Sparks", and is actually the beginning of the album version spliced with the middle and "Underture" sections from Live at Leeds.
• In the episode "Raisin the Stakes: A Rock Opera in Three Acts" of the MTV cartoon series Clone High, a good deal of the music sounds very similar to songs from Tommy (such as JFK's "Touch me, hold me, sign my cast for me, wheel me"), and some themes are present from Pink Floyd's The Wall.
• On the Cartoon Network series Home Movies, in Episode 412: Temporary Blindness, Brendon creates a film called "Timmy" about a child named Timmy who, from a combination of parental neglect and just sheer boredom, loses his sense of smell, loses his peripheral vision, and develops a lisp. Timmy inexplicably becomes a celebrity, and is put under the care of Dr. Robot (loosely based on The Acid Queen). Timmy then runs away, which frees all children of boredom somehow.
• On the 2005 Criminal Minds episode, Plain Sight, the team follows the trail of a man who goes by "The Tommy Killer", who rapes and kills upperclass women in their homes. When the team gets into a discussion about why he was given that name, it was because the killer glues their eyes wide open. So they can 'see him' and 'feel them'.

The Who Sell Out is The Whos third album, released in 1967. ... Back cover The back cover of The Who Sell Out The Who Sell Out is The Whos third album, released in 1967. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday and the summer of 1967 was known as The Summer of Peace and Love (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Lifehouse has two ambiguous entries: Lifehouse unreleased album by The Who Lifehouse the US band. ... This article is about the magazine. ... Promotional Book Cover The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time was the cover story of a special issue of Rolling Stone magazine published in November 2003. ... The Woodstock Music and Art Fair was a historic event held at Max Yasgurs 600 acre (2. ... Soundtrack album cover. ... Woodstock (subtitled 3 Days of Peace & Music) is a 1970 documentary on the Woodstock Festival in 1969. ... This Music Article does not cite any references or sources. ... Spocks Beard is a progressive rock band formed in 1992 in Los Angeles by brothers Neal and Alan Morse. ... A television network is a distribution network for television content whereby a central operation provides programming for many television stations. ... VH1 (VH-1: Video Hits One until 1994) is an American cable television channel that was created in January 1985 by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Communications and owners of MTV. VH1 and sister channel MTV are currently part of the MTV Networks division... UNCUT magazine is a popular monthly publication based in London, which is available across the English speaking world, and focuses on films, music and books. ... The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at sunset. ... Almost Famous is a 2000 film written and directed by Cameron Crowe and released in 2000. ... Live at Leeds (1970) is The Whos first live album, and indeed is their only live album that was released while the band was still recording and performing regularly. ... Clone High is an American animated series that aired for one season (November 2002—April 2003) on MTV and Teletoon. ... Pink Floyd are an English rock band that earned recognition for their psychedelic rock music, and, as they evolved, for their avant-garde progressive rock music. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Home Movies is a dialogue-driven American animated television series that originally aired from 1999 to 2004. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Criminal Minds is a crime drama that premiered on CBS on September 22, 2005. ...

External links

• Lyrics
• Script and audio files from the Broadway show on Michael Cerveris' official site

A number of interviews where Pete Townshend has commented on the concept and meaning of Tommy: Michael Cerveris (born November 6, 1960 in Bethesda, Maryland, USA) is a singer and actor. ...

• a 1968 Rolling Stone Interview (by Jann Wenner),

• Pete and Tommy, among others by Rick Sanders & David Dalton -- Rolling Stone (no. 37 July 12, 1969),

• Interview with Pete Townshend at Manchester Arena, England, 12 December 1996, by Stephen Gallagher (British Youth & Popular Culture Editor, Ubu).

• [7] The Who's Tommy on the Tony telecast

• Tommy liner notes - Song-by-song liner notes for the original album