The deaf, dumb and blind boy is 40 years old this summer! And to commemorate this unforgettable event, Ode Records presents the London Symphony Orchestra joined by The Who and other distinguished guests performing this classic album.
Considered the first album to be recognized as a “Rock opera,” Tommy is celebrating its 40th with this all-star production featuring; Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, Rod Stewart, John Entwistle, Merry Clayton, Steve Winwood, Richie Havens, Richard Harris, Ringo Starr, Maggie Bell, Graham Bell and Sandy Denny.
Tommy was originally released in 1969 as the first concept album in the history of rock & roll and went straight to #2 in the UK charts. In 1972 entrepreneur Lou Reizner presented the concert version of Tommy backed up by The London Symphony Orchestra and Chambre Choir with guest appearances. The piece landed Pete Townshend’s support because he saw it as the realization of what he had visualized when he wrote the original piece, with multiple instruments in mind.
This release of Tommy was performed by a 100-piece orchestra and was one of the more elaborately conceived albums of its era. It became a gold record, selling in excess of 500,000 units. Tommy hits all digital stores next week, but is available one week early on iTunes, so grab it now!
Download and share “I’m Free” (feat. Roger Daltrey) from the London Symphony Orchestra’s Tommy
TOMMY Tracklist (all tracks performed by LSO):
01 Overture
02 It’s A Boy – feat. Sandy Denny
03 1921 – feat. Graham Bell, Steve Winwood, Maggie Bell, Roger Daltry
04 Amazing Journey – feat. Pete Townshend
05 Sparks
06 Eyesight to The Blind – feat. Richie Havens
07 Christmas – feat. Steve Winwood, Roger Daltry
08 Cousin Kevin – feat. John Entwhistle
09 The Acid Queen – feat. Merry Clayton
10 Underture
11 Do You Think It’s Alright? – feat. Maggie Bell, Steve Winwood
12 Fiddle About – feat. Ringo Starr
13 Pin Ball Wizard – feat. Rod Stewart
14 There’s A Doctor I’ve Found – feat. Steve Winwood
15 Go To The Mirror Boy – feat. Richard Harris, Roger Daltry, Steve Winwood
16 Tommy Can You Hear Me? – feat. Maggie Bell
17 Smash The Mirror – feat. Maggie Bell
18 I’m Free – feat. Roger Daltrey
19 Miracle Cure – feat. Chambre Choir
20 Sensation – feat. Roger Daltrey
21 Sally Simpson – feat. Pete Townshend
22 Welcome – feat. Roger Daltrey
23 Tommy’s Holiday Camp – feat. Ringo Starr
24 We’re Not Gonna Take It – feat. Roger Daltrey
25 See Me, Feel Me – feat. Roger Daltrey
For More Information:
from Spinner.com:
Green Day’s 2004 opus ‘American Idiot’ is headed to the stage as a musical. The ambitious concept album, which won two Grammys, always seemed like more than just a record. And when I interviewed Green Day in the studio for Rolling Stone during the making of ‘American Idiot,’ the band was thrilled with the idea of having it follow in the tradition of the Who’s ‘Tommy.’ “I’d love it,” Billie Joe Armstrong said. “The whole thing was written kind of from that point of view musically. I think this record probably has more in common with ‘Rocky Horror’ than it does with ‘London Calling.”
The stage version, which follows “working-class characters from the suburbs to the city to the Middle East, as they seek redemption in a world filled with frustration,” according to a release, will debut in the band’s hometown of Berkley, California September 4 and run through October 11.
The play, which will also feature songs from the band’s upcoming ’21st Century Breakdown,’ is being directed by Michael Mayer, who also helmed ‘Spring Awakening.’ According to Armstrong, it was the combination of Mayer and the Berkley Rep that led to the stage production. “We are really excited to be working with Michael Mayer on this project,” Armstrong said.”We’d been thinking of bringing ‘American Idiot’ to the stage, but knew we needed to find the right partners. After meeting with Michael to discuss the possibility, he invited us to see ‘Spring Awakening.’ We were so impressed with that production, as well as his vision for ‘American Idiot,’ that we knew we’d found the perfect collaborator.”
PLAY
