Tommy

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Album

Pete Townshend had been looking since 1966 for a way to go beyond the three-minute pop single. Through a friend he got to know the Indian spiritual teacher Meher Baba and tried to turn his ideas into music. Thus arose a story about Tommy Walker, a boy who seems deaf, dumb and blind and later becomes a spiritual leader. Recording began in September 1968 and lasted six months, because the material still had to be arranged and re-recorded in the studio.

The Who released Tommy as a double album and as one of the first rock operas on 19 May 1969. It won praise from critics and was regarded as the band's breakthrough. A long tour, including Woodstock and the Isle of Wight Festival, gave the group new strength. The story was later adapted into a ballet, a film in 1975 and a Broadway musical in 1992.

Listening

• 
  Pinball Wizard · The Who, 1969
  Apple Music ↗
• 
  I'm Free · The Who, 1969
  Apple Music ↗
• 
  Overture · The Who, 1969
  Apple Music ↗

Track list

1. 1Overture5:20Apple Music ↗
2. 2It's A Boy0:39Apple Music ↗
3. 319212:49Apple Music ↗
4. 4Amazing Journey5:04Apple Music ↗
5. 5Sparks2:05Apple Music ↗
6. 6Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker)2:14Apple Music ↗
7. 7Christmas4:35Apple Music ↗
8. 8Cousin Kevin4:07Apple Music ↗
9. 9The Acid Queen3:34Apple Music ↗
10. 10Underture10:04Apple Music ↗
11. 11Do You Think It's Alright?0:24Apple Music ↗
12. 12Fiddle About1:31Apple Music ↗
13. 13Pinball Wizard3:01Apple Music ↗
14. 14There's A Doctor0:24Apple Music ↗
15. 15Go To The Mirror!3:48Apple Music ↗
16. 16Tommy Can You Hear Me?1:35Apple Music ↗
17. 17Smash The Mirror1:35Apple Music ↗
18. 18Sensation2:28Apple Music ↗
19. 19Miracle Cure0:13Apple Music ↗
20. 20Sally Simpson4:10Apple Music ↗
21. 21I'm Free2:39Apple Music ↗
22. 22Welcome4:33Apple Music ↗
23. 23Tommy's Holiday Camp0:57Apple Music ↗
24. 24We're Not Gonna Take It7:06Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗