This is the very first Rock Opera, Tommy. It was later made into a movie.
Tommy is the fourth
studio album by the English
rock band
the Who, released on 19 May 1969. Written primarily by guitarist
Pete Townshend,
Tommy is a
double album and an early
rock opera that tells the story of the fictional Tommy Walker and his path to becoming a spiritual leader and messianic figure.
Tommy tells the story of a fictional character named Tommy Walker. The following synopsis of
Tommy was published following the original album's release.
The story Synopsis:
British Army Captain Walker goes missing during an expedition and is believed dead ("
Overture"). His wife, Mrs. Walker, gives birth to their son, Tommy ("It's a Boy"). Years later, Captain Walker returns home and discovers that his wife has found a new lover. The Captain kills the lover in front of Tommy. Tommy's parents coerce Tommy into believing he did not see or hear anything. Tommy begins to disassociate and becomes deaf, dumb and blind to the outside world ("
1921"). Tommy now relies on his sense of touch and imagination, developing an inner
psyche ("
Amazing Journey/Sparks").
A doctor claims his wife can cure Tommy ("Eyesight to the Blind"). Tommy's parents are increasingly frustrated that he will never find religion in the midst of his isolation ("
Christmas"). Tommy's parents neglect him, leaving him to be tortured by his
sadistic "Cousin Kevin" and
sexually abused by his uncle Ernie ("Fiddle About"). The Hawker's drug-addicted wife, "
The Acid Queen", gives Tommy a dose of
LSD, causing a
psychedelic experience that is expressed musically ("Underture").
As Tommy grows older, he discovers that he can feel vibrations sufficiently well to become an expert
pinball player ("
Pinball Wizard"). His parents take him to a respected doctor ("There's a Doctor"), who determines that the boy's disabilities are
psychosomatic rather than physical. Tommy is told by the Doctor to "
Go to the Mirror!", and his parents notice he can stare at his reflection. After seeing Tommy spend extended periods staring at a mirror in the house, his mother smashes it out of frustration ("Smash the Mirror"). This removes Tommy's
mental block, and he recovers his senses, realising he can become a powerful leader ("Sensation"). He starts a religious movement ("
I'm Free"), which generates fervour among its adherents ("Sally Simpson") and expands into a
holiday camp ("Welcome" / "Tommy's Holiday Camp"). However, Tommy's followers ultimately reject his teachings and leave the camp ("
We're Not Gonna Take It"). Tommy retreats inward again ("
See Me, Feel Me") with his "continuing statement of wonder at that which encompasses him".
I remember when the album was released. In October 1969, the Who played six shows at the
Fillmore East, where
Leonard Bernstein praised them for their new music. My brother actually saw the Who do the 3rd performance at the Filmore East in NYC. I saw some pretty good shows there in the late 60s and into the 1970s.
It is a lot of music, but this weekends musical treat is the entire double album. My favorite song on the Album is Sally Simpson.
(play in 720 or 1080p)
