THE WHO TOMMY LIVE

Audio is The Who - Leeds 1970 [2014 Mix] Video is UK 1969, NY 1969, MA 1970, IOW 1970 Timecodes are in the comments The Who performed two University dates for the purpose of recording a live album, having lost the patience to sort through the tapes recorded on the North American 1969 tour. The first gig, at the University of Leeds Cafeteria, in front of an audience of 2,000, showcased The Who’s live act at its finest. The original album featured only six songs, half of which were covers, live songs from tommy wouldn’t officially come until years later. The main source of footage used (UK 1969) was was released as bonus footage with the 1977 Kilburn footage. Kit Lambert manager of The Who was keen for Tommy to be taken seriously and wanted The Who to perform at opera houses. The album was mostly composed by guitarist Pete Townshend, and is a rock opera that tells the story of Tommy Walker. Tommy is traumatized from witnessing his father murder his mother’s lover; Tommy’s parents then compound his trauma by denying the experience. In reaction, Tommy becomes dissociative (“deaf, dumb and blind“). As a way of coping with his trauma, Tommy dissociates further through playing pinball and he gains a following because of his savant skill. After numerous misguided attempts to heal Tommy, a doctor prescribes him a mirror so he can confront himself and his experience. Instead, Tommy becomes self-absorbed and comes to think of himself as a messiah figure. When the mirror is broken, Tommy comes out of his dissociative state as more people become infatuated with him. Tommy starts a holiday camp and tries to lead his followers to believe that the only path to healing is through playing pinball and giving up drugs and alcohol, which then his followers eventually reject him and his teachings.