TOMMY

A very classic masterpiece, maybe not entirely prog, but still insanely amazing. This is also the full realization of Pete Townshend's ideas. He creates a fantasy world into which he throws a young boy, traumatized by viewing his mother engaging in adultery, and withdrawing from the real world by going deaf, dumb and blind. The idea sprouts from his teaching by Meher Baba, a yogi spiritualist, and the general idea is how would someone grow up if they were stripped of everything that gives them bad influences, if all they had was their mind to tell them what was right and wrong. The story is all about this boy, Tommy Walker, and the series of experiences he goes through as a child, some good, some bad, including child sexual abuse by his creepy Uncle Ernie, and exposure to drugs by the Gypsy (Acid Queen) who claims she can cure him. He also becomes an amazing pinball player even though he cannot see or hear the machine. He also experiences a girl falling in love him, though briefly, in the form of Sally Simpson. When he finally becomes cured, he realizes how popular he is, and starts a summer camp, with the help of his Uncle Ernie, and the kids who come tend to do drugs and drink. Tommy preaches to them about it being wrong, and they revolt against him, and he is alone once more. The final, climactic, Listening to you is very well done indeed. The Overture is another highlight, as are 1921, Amazing Journey/Sparks, Acid Queen, Go to the Mirror, Welcome, And th dramatic Underture. These and many other songs meld together to make an amazing story that you cannot relate to, but gives you room to imagine and fantasize.

Overall, the first rock opera is a major success, also marking a breakthrough for the Who, finally scoring them a major hit single in the form of "Pinball Wizard", which made Pete happy, no doubt.