Why Was the Rock Opera Tommy Significant to Rock Music?
Contents
The rock opera Tommy was a significant moment in rock music history. It was one of the first examples of a rock opera, and it demonstrated that rock music could be used to tell a story. The album was also a commercial success, selling over 20 million copies.
Introduction
The rock opera Tommy was released in 1969 by The Who. It tells the story of a “deaf, dumb, and blind” boy who becomes a pinball champion and religious leader. The double album was a commercial and critical success, reaching #4 on the US Billboard charts and #2 in the UK. Tommy was nominated for five Grammy Awards, winning two, and was adapted into a 1975 film directed by Ken Russell.
The album is considered an important work in the development of rock music, as it expanded the possibilities of what could be accomplished with the genre. The complex story-telling and use of recurring motifs were particularly praised, as well as the album’s ability to evoke both positive and negative emotions in the listener. It has been included on several lists of the greatest albums of all time, including Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2003) and NME’s 100 Greatest Albums Ever (2013).
The Rock Opera
The rock opera Tommy was one of the first and most successful examples of the rock opera genre. It was released in May of 1969 by The Who, and was written by Pete Townshend. The story follows the “deaf, dumb, and blind” title character Tommy Walker, and is a loose allegory for Townshend’s own struggles with fame and addiction. The album was a commercial and critical success, reaching #4 on the Billboard charts and winning a Grammy Award for Best Album of the Year. Tommy is considered an important innovator in the development of rock music, and has been cited as an influence by many subsequent artists.
The Story
Tommy is a 1969 rock opera by The Who about a “deaf, dumb and blind” boy, Tommy Walker, who becomes a pinball champion and religious leader. The album was mostly composed by Pete Townshend, and is a typical example of the rock opera genre.
The story of Tommy is based on events from Townshend’s own life, including his experiences with abuse. In addition to its popularity as an album, Tommy was also successful as a stage production; it was adapted into an award-winning film in 1975 and has been revived several times since.
The Music
non-profit arts organization TrueColor Opera will present the New York premiere of Tommy: An opera by The Who on October 20, 2019 at 8pm at the Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street in Manhattan.
Directed by James Holmes with music direction by Darryl Jones, Tommy will feature a 10-piece band led by Jones and a cast of 18 singers. The new production will use original film footage and newly created animation to bring to life this classic story about a “deaf, dumb and blind kid” who becomes a “pinball wizard” and leader of a messianic movement.
The original Tommy was released as a double album in May of 1969 by The Who. It was their fourth studio album and the first rock opera. The story is based on the traumas faced by lead singer Roger Daltrey during his childhood, including the death of his cousin (which he witnessed) and his mother’s abandonment when he was just 6 years old.
The album was not an immediate success, but after being adapted into a film in 1975 (starring Daltrey and Ann-Margret), it became one of the most iconic rock albums of all time. It has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Recording Registry, and was ranked #366 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.
The Impact
Rock opera Tommy was important to rock music for a number of reasons. First, it was one of the first rock operas, and it paved the way for other rock operas. Secondly, it was a commercial success, and it showed that rock operas could be popular with audiences. Finally, it was a critical success, and it was praised by many music critics.
On Rock Music
When the rock opera Tommy was released by The Who in 1969, it was not only a commercial success, but also a critical one. It is considered by many to be one of the first (and best) examples of the genre. The story follows the “deaf, dumb and blind boy” Tommy Walker, who becomes a messiah-like figure in the wake of a traumatic event. While many of The Who’s earlier hits tackled social issues such as teen angst (“My Generation”) and drug use (“I Can See for Miles”), Tommy was different in that it told a more complex story that touched on many different themes.
The music itself was also groundbreaking, blending elements of rock, pop, and classical music to create something completely new. The album featured some of The Who’s most iconic songs, such as “Pinball Wizard” and “See Me, Feel Me.” In addition to its musical innovation, Tommy was also significant for its use of new technologies such as quadraphonic sound and synthesizers.
While it is impossible to say exactly how big of an impact Tommy had on rock music, there is no doubt that it was highly influential in both its form and content. It paved the way for other artists to experiment with concept albums and storytelling in their music, and its success showed that there was an audience for this type of material. In the decades since its release, Tommy has only grown in stature, cementing its place as one of the most important and influential rock albums ever made.
On Pop Culture
The rock opera Tommy was released in 1969 by The Who. It was a concept album about a “deaf, dumb, and blind kid” who becomes a “pinch hitter” for a famous rock band. The album was an immediate success, reaching #4 on the US Billboard charts and #2 in the UK. It has since been certified platinum by the RIAA.
Tommy was significant to rock music for a number of reasons. First, it was one of the first rock albums to be conceived as a complete work, with all of the songs flowing together to tell a story. This made it much more like a Broadway musical than anything that had come before it in the rock world.
Second, Tommy featured complex arrangements and instrumentation, including use of synthesizers and other electronic devices, which were relatively new at the time. This gave the album a very ” futuristic” sound that was unlike anything else on radio at the time.
Finally, Tommy tackled some serious subjects, such as child abuse and loss of innocence, which were not typically addressed in popular music at that time. The album helped to break down barriers and open up new possibilities for what rock music could be about.
Conclusion
The Who’s Tommy was a highly influential work in the development of rock music. It was one of the first rock operas and helped to popularize the genre. The album was musically diverse, incorporating elements of psychedelia, hard rock, and pop. The story was also groundbreaking, tackling issues such as child abuse, betrayal, and disability with honesty and sensitivity. The album was a critical and commercial success, winning several Grammy Awards and selling over 20 million copies worldwide. Its influence can still be felt in modern rock music, and it remains one of the most important works in the genre.
