Publisher's Synopsis
Tommy at 50 is the definitive, illustrated guide to The Who's legendary rock opera album Tommy, and released to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Rock legend Pete Townshend, The Who's cofounder, singer, and guitarist, provides the foreword and was interviewed for the retrospective, which showcases 200 images, including original art from the album's designer and rare photos.
On May 23, 1969, The Who released their breakthrough album, Tommy. It was their fourth studio album and would sell more than twenty million copies, receive wide critical acclaim, and be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Now, in honor of Tommy's fiftieth anniversary, acclaimed music journalist, The Who expert and memorabilia collector, and friend of the band Chris Charlesworth has teamed up with Mike McInnerney, a longtime friend of Pete Townshend and the artist for Tommy's original album cover, to create an extraordinary keepsake volume that is a tribute to the unforgettable album and its namesake song.
With eye-opening text and two hundred color photos, Tommy at 50 considers the album Tommy from four distinct angles, examining the mood of its creation, the origins and content of its music, the look of its iconic artwork, and the album's enduring legacy. It draws on new interviews from key players in the story with fun and revealing insight into the making of the album and features art created exclusively for the book by Mike McInnerney, as well as rare photos of the band. An insightful guide and collector's edition volume for all fans of The Who, Tommy at 50 offers an unparalleled window into The Who's finest hour and is a celebration of one greatest albums ever made.
