BUT I AIN'T SEEN
NOTHING LIKE HIM
IN ANY AMUSEMENT HALL
THAT DEAF,
DUMB AND BLIND KID
SURE PLAYS A MEAN PINBALL
Tommy
is the fourth
studio album
by the
English
Rock band
released on
May 19th 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.
Townshend came up
with the concept of
Tommy
after being introduced
to the work of
Meher Baba,
and he attempted to
translate Baba's teachings
into music.
Recording of the album
began in September 1968,
but took six months
to complete as
material needed to be
arranged and
re-recorded
in the studio.
The Who
promoted the
album's release
with an
extensive tour,
including a
live version
of
Tommy,
which lasted
throughout
1969
and 1970.
Key gigs from
the tour included
appearances at
Woodstock,
the 1969
Isle of Wight Festival,
the University of Leeds,
the Metropolitan Opera House,
and the
1970
Isle of Wight Festival.
The live performances of
Tommy
drew critical praise
and revitalised
the band's career.
Upon its release,
Tommy was acclaimed
by critics,
who hailed it as
the Who's breakthrough.
Its critical standing
diminished slightly
in later years;
nonetheless,
several writers
view it as an
important and
influential album
in the history
of rock music.
In 1998,
Tommy was inducted
into the
Grammy Hall of Fame.
Synopsis
Tommy
tells the story of a
fictional character
named
Tommy Walker.
The following synopsis of
Tommy was
published following
the original album's release.
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 quack claims
his wife can cure
Tommy
("The Hawker").
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
hallucinogenic 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"
https://mega.nz/folder/nigQELyD#_yrNV3vfE-bSsqLZgeHASg
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