The Who’s groundbreaking rock opera Tommy emerged in 1969 as a visionary project primarily penned by guitarist Pete Townshend, who basically wrote the whole thing by himself. The double album weaves the fictional tale of Tommy Walker, a boy who becomes deaf, dumb, and blind following childhood trauma, only to rise as a spiritual leader that had Messianic qualities. Like pretty much every famous British musician in the 1960’s Townshend was inspired by an Indian spiritual teacher (in this case Meher Baba), and infused the album with his themes of self-discovery, redemption, and transcendence. It was the album that solidified their reputation as both musical innovators and audacious storytellers, combining electrifying performances and diverse soundscapes which brought Tommy to life.
This album forever altered the landscape of rock music. It established itself as a cornerstone for concept albums and the burgeoning genre of progressive rock that would dominate the rock genre in the early 70’s. Its audacious storytelling and intricate musical arrangements legitimized the idea of rock as high art, making intellectual and self-reflective themes central to the genre for nearly a decade. The album’s success paved the way for other ambitious works, from Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon to Genesis’s The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, and ensured Tommy‘s legacy as one of the most influential albums in rock history that proved the genre could not only entertain but also challenge and inspire on a grand scale.
Standout Songs: “1921”, “Sparks”, “Pinball Wizard”, “Christmas”, “We’re Not Gonna Take It”
