Concert Series: The Who’s Tommy
History of The Who’s TOMMY
55 Years Ago Today
Fifty-five years ago today, on May 23, 1969, the British rock group The Who released the double-album rock opera Tommy in the U.K. Commercially, the record went Gold in the U.K. and Double Platinum in the U.S. It was released in the U.S. on May 17 or 19; reports vary.
Several songs were released as singles that charted in the Top 20 in both the U.K. and the U.S. It reached #2 on the U.K. charts and #7. on the U.S. charts. Its success signified a breakthrough for the band and elevated The Who to a world-class touring and studio band. The album has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, representing about a fifth of their total records sold.
The rock opera tells the disturbing story of the fictional Tommy Walker, an apparently “deaf, dumb, and blind boy” who, following a childhood trauma, ultimately becomes the reigning Pinball Wizard. Despite numerous failed attempts to cure him, he has a spiritual awakening and becomes a sensational religious leader.
“Tommy” is a common English name and a nickname for British soldiers during World War I. The French troops would call the name over the trenches when they wanted to speak to a British soldier.
