| The late 60's were a transitional moment for rock | | | | In today's entertainment culture this plot may not |
| and roll. Many bands were attempting to stretch their | | | | sound all that risqué, but when it was |
| wings and experiment with the kinds of material that | | | | released in 1969 there were many who felt that the |
| they could release to the public. Some bands turned | | | | entire scenario was far too relentlessly dark. The |
| to composing with orchestras in mind, while others | | | | themes of child abuse, religious manipulation and |
| focused on spreading a social or political message. | | | | spirituality were new territory for rock music. Some |
| Some groups however felt that they needed to add | | | | of these criticisms were made quite vocally, but they |
| a more spiritual dimension to their music and | | | | were countered by an equal number of people who |
| construct a narrative that would allow them to | | | | celebrated this new form of artistic expression, |
| discuss the concepts that filled their heads. For The | | | | dubbing it 'rock opera'. In terms of records sales for |
| Who Tommy was their first sustained attempt to | | | | The Who Tommy was a smash, and remained on |
| expand on the promise of the mini-rock vignettes | | | | the charts for 126 weeks. |
| they had released on previous records. | | | | 'Tommy' gave Townshend a release for the spiritual |
| 'Tommy' is the story of a deaf, blind and mute child | | | | topics related to his tutelage under Meher Baba that |
| who is born normally but has his senses stolen from | | | | felt he needed to write music about. The entire |
| him after witnessing the murder of his mother's new | | | | production was scored for the orchestra, and then |
| lover at the hands of his suddenly returning father. | | | | later brought to the silver screen in 1975 as a film |
| The tale deals with the attempts by Tommy's family | | | | starring the lead singer of the group, Roger Daltrey. |
| to return him to 'normalcy', as well as the inner | | | | The movie was a critical and commercial success, and |
| psychological journey undergone by the title | | | | Daltrey was also instrumental in bringing 'Tommy' to |
| character. Once cured, Tommy sets up a cult-like | | | | Broadway in the early 90's. This rock opera continues |
| organization with himself at its head, and he attains | | | | to be regarded as an important part of rock and roll's |
| great power only to have it taken away. The end | | | | maturation process and a harbinger of the concept |
| result is his own spiritual enlightenment. | | | | albums which would flood record stores in the 1970's. |