Tommy

Description

The definitive rock opera, Tommy liberated the Who from a singles band stigma, marking them as a substantial artistic force. Composer Pete Townshend had flirted with the conceptual format on two previous releases, but here his vision is spread over two ambitious records that play to the Whos main strengths. Anthems such as the raucous Pinball Wizard and the surprisingly serene Im Free emphasize the kinetic power of the band, while Townshends cast of characters (the perverted Uncle Ernie, the inscrutable Tommy) reveals a wild and unconventional imagination. Townshend even incorporates Sonny Boy Williamsons Eyesight to the Blind as part of his fable about the deaf, dumb, and blind kid, making a successful reference to the past in what is an undeniably groundbreaking and forward-looking achievement.