Album Information:

About The Who:

The Who is a British rock band that was formed in London in 1964. The band is composed of members Roger Daltrey (vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar, keyboards), John Entwistle (bass), and Keith Moon (drums), although Moon passed away in 1978 and was replaced by Kenney Jones.

The band's music combines elements of rock, folk, pop, and classical music, and their lyrics often deal with themes of youth angst, rebellion, and social commentary. They are considered one of the most influential bands in rock history, and are credited with helping to shape the development of the rock opera and the concept album.

The Who's early years were marked by a string of hit singles, including 'I Can't Explain,' 'My Generation,' and 'Substitute.' These songs, along with the band's energetic live performances, helped to establish them as one of the most exciting and dynamic bands of the era.

In 1969, The Who released their groundbreaking album Tommy, which tells the story of a 'deaf, dumb and blind' boy who becomes a messiah figure. The album was a critical and commercial success, and helped to cement The Who's reputation as an innovative force in rock music.

Throughout the 1970s, The Who released a series of groundbreaking albums, including Who's Next, Quadrophenia, and The Who By Numbers. The band's live performances also became known for their high-energy and theatrical nature, often featuring explosions, smashing guitars, and other pyrotechnics.

Despite their success, The Who were plagued by personal and professional problems throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Moon's death in 1978 was a major blow to the band, and they struggled to find their footing in the wake of his passing.

Nevertheless, The Who continued to tour and release albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and they remain one of the most beloved and respected bands in rock history. Their influence can still be heard in the work of countless artists who followed in their footsteps.

About the album Tommy:

Tommy is a rock opera album by the British rock band, The Who. The album tells the story of the titular character, Tommy, who is deaf, dumb, and blind, but discovers that he has a natural talent for playing pinball. As he rises to fame as a pinball champion, he becomes a messianic figure to his fans and followers, who see him as a symbol of hope and inspiration.

The album was released in 1969 and was the band's fourth studio album. It features 24 tracks, with a running time of approximately 74 minutes. The music is a blend of rock, pop, and classical influences, with memorable melodies, intricate arrangements, and explosive performances from the band.

The opening track, 'Overture,' sets the tone for the album with its sweeping orchestral introduction, before transitioning into a powerful guitar riff. It's followed by 'It's a Boy,' which introduces the character of Tommy and sets up the central storyline of the album.

Other standout tracks include 'Pinball Wizard,' which is arguably the most famous song on the album. It features a catchy chorus, memorable guitar riff, and an anthemic quality that has made it a staple of classic rock radio. 'I'm Free' is another highlight, featuring a soaring vocal performance from lead singer Roger Daltrey and a dramatic orchestral arrangement.

The album also features several guest musicians, most notably Eric Clapton, who provides a searing guitar solo on 'Eyesight to the Blind.' The album's production is top-notch, with each instrument and vocal part given its own space to shine.

Tommy was a commercial and critical success, cementing The Who's reputation as one of the most innovative and creative bands of the era. It continues to be regarded as one of the greatest rock albums of all time, with its combination of epic storytelling, musical virtuosity, and emotional depth standing the test of time.

Members:

The Who is an English rock band formed in London in 1964, whose members embodied the spirit of the mod and rock movements of the era. The band comprises of four key members:

1. Roger Daltrey (Lead Vocals): Born on March 1, 1944, in Hammersmith, London, Roger Daltrey is the lead vocalist and founding member of The Who. He was interested in music from childhood and formed The Detours, which later became The Who. Apart from his music career, Daltrey has also acted in films and television shows, including performing the title role in the rock opera 'Tommy.'

2. Pete Townshend (Guitar, Vocals, Songwriting): Born on May 19, 1945, in Chiswick, London, Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend is a guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter of The Who. His unique and innovative guitar playing style, along with his songwriting skills, elevated The Who to great heights of success. Townshend is also a published author and a patron of charity organizations.

3. John Entwistle (Bass Guitar): Born on October 9, 1944, in Chiswick, London, John Alec Entwistle was the bass guitarist of The Who. He was known for his virtuosic playing style, which earned him the nickname 'The Ox.' Besides being a musician, Entwistle was also a songwriter and released several solo albums. He passed away on June 27, 2002, due to a heart attack.

4. Keith Moon (Drums): Born on August 23, 1946, in Wembley, London, Keith John Moon was the drummer for The Who. He was known for his explosive and flamboyant drumming style, which made him a fan favorite. However, his excessive drug use and erratic behavior led to his untimely death on September 7, 1978, at the age of 32.

These four key members of The Who have left an indelible mark on the music industry and have inspired countless musicians with their groundbreaking music.

Track List for Tommy:

Certainly, here is a list of all the tracks in the album Tommy by The Who, along with their play time and a detailed description of each track:

1. 'Overture' - 5:21
The instrumental track serves as the opening for the album, setting the stage for the story of Tommy.

2. 'It's a Boy' - 0:38
A short track that introduces the birth of Tommy and the joy it brings to his parents.

3. '1921' - 3:14
This track sets the scene for Tommy's childhood, describing his experiences of being deaf, dumb, and blind due to a psychological trauma he experienced as a baby.

4. 'Amazing Journey' - 3:25
This track follows Tommy's spiritual journey as he tries to find his way out of confusion and despair.

5. 'Sparks' - 3:47
'Sparks' is an instrumental track that captures the feeling of electricity breaking through the darkness, allowing Tommy to see the light.

6. 'The Hawker' - 2:15
This track is a short, spoken-word piece in which a character sells a religious cure to Tommy's mother.

7. 'Christmas' - 4:34
This track follows the family's attempts to celebrate Christmas with Tommy, who remains isolated despite their efforts.

8. 'Cousin Kevin' - 4:07
'Cousin Kevin' is a song that describes the physical and emotional abuse Tommy faces from his cousin, who tries to force him to leave his sheltered world.

9. 'The Acid Queen' - 3:31
In this track, Tommy seeks help from the Acid Queen, who provides him with a psychedelic experience that only further confuses him.

10. 'Underture' - 10:09
This instrumental track plays as an interlude between the album's two halves and summarizes the major themes and motifs of the album.

11. 'Do You Think It's Alright?' - 0:24
A short spoken-word piece, asking if it's appropriate to sexually explore Tommy's body.

12. 'Fiddle About' - 1:26
This track describes Tommy being abused by an uncle, who sexually exploits him while masquerading as a caregiver.

13. 'Pinball Wizard' - 3:01
One of the most famous tracks on the album, 'Pinball Wizard' describes Tommy's newfound skill at playing pinball, which makes him a celebrity.

14. 'There's a Doctor' - 0:25
A short spoken-word piece introducing a character who claims to have the power to heal Tommy.

15. 'Go to the Mirror!' - 3:50
In this song, Tommy's parents force him to confront his own reflection in the mirror, hoping to help him break through his psychological barriers.

16. 'Tommy Can You Hear Me?' - 1:36
A spoken-word piece in which characters try to communicate with Tommy, who remains unresponsive.

17. 'Smash the Mirror' - 1:35
Tommy finally smashes the mirror, breaking through his psychological barriers.

18. 'Sensation' - 2:32
In this track, Tommy experiences a new sense of liberation and ecstasy.

19. 'Miracle Cure' - 0:12
A brief spoken-word piece introducing another character claiming to have the power to heal Tommy.

20. 'Sally Simpson' - 4:10
This song tells the story of a young girl who becomes a fan of Tommy, but is crushed in the resulting riot.

21. 'I'm Free' - 2:40
One of the most iconic tracks on the album, 'I'm Free' describes Tommy's newfound liberation from his troubles.

22. 'Welcome' - 4:34
This track describes Tommy's rise to a cult-like figurehead, and the surrounding chaos that follows.

23. 'Tommy's Holiday Camp' - 0:57
This track is a brief spoken-word piece advertising a camp where people can come meet Tommy in person.

24. 'We're Not Gonna Take It' - 7:08
The album's final track, 'We're Not Gonna Take It' sees Tommy rejecting his followers and asserting his independence, effectively bringing an end to the album's story.

Discography for The Who:

Here is the complete discography for The Who in chronological order:

Albums:

1. My Generation (1965)
2. A Quick One (1966)
3. The Who Sell Out (1967)
4. Tommy (1969)
5. Who's Next (1971)
6. Quadrophenia (1973)
7. The Who by Numbers (1975)
8. Who Are You (1978)
9. Face Dances (1981)
10. It's Hard (1982)
11. Endless Wire (2006)

Singles:

1. 'I Can't Explain' (1965)
2. 'Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere' (1965)
3. 'My Generation' (1965)
4. 'Substitute' (1966)
5. 'I'm a Boy' (1966)
6. 'Happy Jack' (1966)
7. 'Pictures of Lily' (1967)
8. 'The Last Time' (1967)
9. 'I Can See for Miles' (1967)
10. 'Dogs' (1968)
11. 'Pinball Wizard' (1969)
12. 'The Seeker' (1970)
13. 'Summertime Blues' (1970)
14. 'Let's See Action' (1971)
15. 'Join Together' (1972)
16. 'Relay' (1972)
17. '5:15' (1973)
18. 'Squeeze Box' (1975)
19. 'Who Are You' (1978)
20. 'You Better You Bet' (1981)
21. 'Athena' (1982)

Other releases:

1. Magic Bus: The Who on Tour (1968)
2. Odds & Sods (1974)
3. Who's Missing (1985)
4. Two's Missing (1987)
5. Join Together (1990)
6. Thirty Years of Maximum R&B (1994)
7. BBC Sessions (2000)
8. The Who: Then and Now (2004)
9. Greatest Hits (2009)