The Who's Tommy

The Who's Tommy is a project that has taken the forms of a 1993 Broadway musical, a 1975 film, and a 1969 album, among other iterations. Created by Pete Townshend and The Who, and often erroneously billed as the "first rock opera" (The 1968 album, S.F. Sorrow, by The Pretty Things preceded it by a year, while Townshend and The Who's own A Quick One came out in 1966), it is perhaps the most enduring example of the genre. The story follows a young man named Tommy, who can't hear, speak, or see due to a traumatic event. Despite these handicaps, he wins fame as a master pinball player.

1. AKA: Tommy
2. Director: Ken Russell
3. Starring: Oliver Reed, Ann-Margret, Roger Daltrey, Elton John and Eric Clapton
4. Nominated for two Oscars: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Ann-Margret), and Best Original Score (Pete Townshend)

1. Composer and Lyricist: Pete Townshend
2. Libretto writers: Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff
3. Director: Des McAnuff
4. Opened on Broadway: April 22, 1993
5. Closing performance: June 17, 1995
6. Performances: 899
7. Awards: Won 5 Tony Awards in 1993 for Best Original Score, Best Scenic Design. Best Lighting Design, Best Choreography and Best Direction of a Musical

• Note: Some links come from Lyrics On Demand, which has pop-ups and is ad-heavy

• "Captain Walker/Its a Boy"

• "Bernie's Holiday Camp"

• "Twenty-One"

• "Amazing Journey"

• "Sparks"

• "Christmas"

• "Do You Think It's Alright"

• "Fiddle About"

• "Cousin Kevin"

• "Sensation"

• "Eyesight To the Blind"

• "Acid Queen"

• "Pinball Wizard"

• "Go To the Mirror"

• "Listening To You"

• "Tommy, Can You Hear Me?"

• "I Believe My Own Eyes"

• "Smash the Mirror"

• 'I'm Free"

• "Tommy's Holiday Camp"

• "Sally Simpson"

• 'Welcome"

• "We're Not Gonna Take It"

• Rhapsody: The Who's Tommy by Pete Townshend