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[[Image:Tommyalbumcover.jpg|right|thumb|The Who's Tommy, the first album explicitly billed as a rock opera]]

[[Image:Tommyalbumcover.jpg|right|thumb|The Who's Tommy, the first album explicitly billed as a rock opera]]

'''''Tommy''''' is the first of [[The Who]]'s two full-scale [[rock opera]]s (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 in music|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.[http://www.thewho.net/discography/songs/TommysHolidayCamp.html] www.thewho.net - Discography - Songs: Tommy's Holiday Camp] An earlier song by [[blues]] artist [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]] was also incorporated into the opera.

'''''Tommy''''' is the first of [[The Who]]'s two full-scale [[rock opera]]s (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 in music|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.[https://www.thewho.net/discography/songs/TommysHolidayCamp.html] www.thewho.net - Discography - Songs: Tommy's Holiday Camp] An earlier song by [[blues]] artist [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]] was also incorporated into the opera.

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]]''. [http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/1001albums.htm] [[New Musical Express|NME]] named it the 16th on "NME Writers All Time Top 100" in 1974. [http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/nme_writers.htm#100_74] [[Q (magazine)|Q]] ranked it 9th on their list of "The Music That Changed The World: Part One 1954-1969" in 2004. [http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlistspage3.htm#The Music That Changed The World]

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]]''. [https://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/1001albums.htm] [[New Musical Express|NME]] named it the 16th on "NME Writers All Time Top 100" in 1974. [https://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/nme_writers.htm#100_74] [[Q (magazine)|Q]] ranked it 9th on their list of "The Music That Changed The World: Part One 1954-1969" in 2004. [https://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlistspage3.htm#The Music That Changed The World]

==Synopsis==

==Synopsis==

===Analysis and history===

===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, elevating The Who to a new level of prestige and international stardom. ([http://www.thewho.net/articles/townshen/tom_ln.htm])

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, elevating The Who to a new level of prestige and international stardom. ([https://www.thewho.net/articles/townshen/tom_ln.htm])

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]]".

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]]".

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, and was a hit for [[Elton John]] in 1975/76. "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 [[Extended play|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.

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, and was a hit for [[Elton John]] in 1975/76. "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 [[Extended play|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.

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" [http://www.larrynorman.com/bio.html]. 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 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" [https://www.larrynorman.com/bio.html]. 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).

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 [[take]]s and re-takes.

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 [[take]]s and re-takes.

''See [[Tommy (musical)]]'' <br><br>

''See [[Tommy (musical)]]'' <br><br>

In 1993, Townshend and [[La Jolla Playhouse]] 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 ([http://www.amazing-journey.com/tomshms.htm]), 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" ([http://theater2.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?res=9F0CE0DB113CF934A15757C0A965958260]). Later, Townshend partly responded to the criticisms ([http://www.thewho.net/articles/townshen/pt_96.htm]). Ultimately, the production won five [[Tony Awards]] that year, including Best Original Score for Townshend. Various touring revivals have met with popular acclaim since.  

In 1993, Townshend and [[La Jolla Playhouse]] 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 ([https://www.amazing-journey.com/tomshms.htm]), 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" ([https://theater2.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?res=9F0CE0DB113CF934A15757C0A965958260]). Later, Townshend partly responded to the criticisms ([https://www.thewho.net/articles/townshen/pt_96.htm]). Ultimately, the production won five [[Tony Awards]] that year, including Best Original Score for Townshend. Various touring revivals have met with popular acclaim since.  

The musical version reorganises the numbers and changes many lyrics. The setting is in post-[[World War II]] [[UK|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").  

The musical version reorganises the numbers and changes many lyrics. The setting is in post-[[World War II]] [[UK|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").  

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.myths.com/pub/lyrics/who_tommy.html Lyrics]

*[https://www.myths.com/pub/lyrics/who_tommy.html Lyrics]

*[http://www.amazing-journey.com/htm/tommy.htm Script and audio files from the Broadway show on [[Michael Cerveris]]' official site]

*[https://www.amazing-journey.com/htm/tommy.htm 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'':  

A number of interviews where Pete Townshend has commented on the concept and meaning of ''Tommy'':  

*[http://www.thewho.net/articles/townshen/rs68.htm a 1968 Rolling Stone Interview (by Jann Wenner),]  

*[https://www.thewho.net/articles/townshen/rs68.htm a 1968 Rolling Stone Interview (by Jann Wenner),]  

* [http://www.thewho.net/articles/townshen/peteandt.htm ''Pete and Tommy, among others'' by Rick Sanders & David Dalton -- Rolling Stone (no. 37 [[July 12]] [[1969]]),]  

* [https://www.thewho.net/articles/townshen/peteandt.htm ''Pete and Tommy, among others'' by Rick Sanders & David Dalton -- Rolling Stone (no. 37 [[July 12]] [[1969]]),]  

* [http://www.thewho.net/articles/townshen/pt_96.htm Interview with Pete Townshend at Manchester Arena, England, [[12 December]] [[1996]], by Stephen Gallagher (British Youth & Popular Culture Editor, Ubu).]

* [https://www.thewho.net/articles/townshen/pt_96.htm Interview with Pete Townshend at Manchester Arena, England, [[12 December]] [[1996]], by Stephen Gallagher (British Youth & Popular Culture Editor, Ubu).]

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fyOOr544nI]  The Who's Tommy on the Tony telecast

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fyOOr544nI]  The Who's Tommy on the Tony telecast

*[http://www.thewho.net/linernotes/Tommy.htm Tommy liner notes - Song-by-song liner notes for the original album]

*[https://www.thewho.net/linernotes/Tommy.htm Tommy liner notes - Song-by-song liner notes for the original album]

[[Category: Music]]

[[Category: Music]]