The Who, The #43 Artist of the Rock Era, Part Two

 (Continued from Part One)

In 1968, Townshend began working on a concept album about the life of a deaf, dumb and blind boy who becomes a champion pinball player.  The group released what became their breakthrough album, Tommy, in 1969 and played the songs on a tour to promote it.  

 "Pinball Wizard" shot up to #4 in the U.K. and #6 in Canada, but stalled at #19 in the U.S., another underrated song.

 

Townshend was inspired to come up with the Tommy concept after being introduced to the teaching of Meher Baba and Pete wanted to translate Baba's teachings into music.  

Baba worked with the poor and was Mahatma Gandhi's spiritual adviser.  "I'm Free" is another of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs*, only making it to #37.

 

The Who landed a Top 10 album in the United States for the first time and Tommy was Top 10 in every major country in the world except West Germany.  Tommy has now sold over two million copies in the U.S. alone.  It was a good thing too--the Who faced bankruptcy if the album didn't sell.  The group released another single from the album, "See Me, Feel Me", which hit #2 in West Germany but only #12 in the United States.

 

At this part of the story, Tommy has come to the realization that he can interpret the world around him as music.  "Sparks" is part of that amazing journey.

 

The Who performed the album in its entirety while on tour, which included shows at the Isle of Wight Festival in both 1969 and 1970, the University of Leeds and the Metropolitan Opera House and Fillmore East.  This is "Christmas".

The Who performed at Woodstock in August.  They were scheduled to appear Saturday night but as the Festival ran late, they did not walk on stage until 5 a.m. Sunday morning.  Portions of their show appear on the movie Woodstock, as well as The Old Grey Whistle Test and The Kids Are Alright.

 

The band released the non-album single "The Seeker".

Thanks to Monterey and Woodstock, the Who gained a reputation for being one of the best live acts, and they also performed at the Isle of Wight Festival. 

The band recorded a show at Leeds which was released as the album Live at Leeds.  The album, widely regarded as one of the best live sets of all-time, was a two-million seller that charted at #2 in Canada, #3 in the U.K. and #4 in the United States. 

While performing the music from Tommy, the Who became the first Rock band to play at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

Townshend set out to write a follow-up to Tommy that was tentatively titled Lifehouse, with use of synthesizers.  The other members of the group felt the project was too complicated and finally, Pete relented and gave up on the album, but not before suffering a nervous breakdown from the pressure.

The group released the compilation Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy in 1971, which has sold over one million copies.

 

When Lambert's drug problems affected his production, the Who hired Glyn Johns for their new album.  Much of the Lifehouse material was included on what would prove to be the album of their career, Who's Next in 1971.  The band released the single "Won't Get Fooled Again", one of their best-known songs.  It peaked at #7 in Canada and #8 in the U.K. but only #15 in the United States, yet another of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs*.

 

The Who then released the non-album single "Let's See Action".

 

Who's Next topped charts in the U.K., hit the Top 10 in every major country except West Germany and has sold over three million copies.  "Behind Blue Eyes" is another member of that Underrated Songs* club, stalling at #34.

 

"Baba O'Riley" is another non-album single which is a Top Track*.

Townsend wrote "Bargain" as a salute to  Baba.  The song tells the important story about devaluing material goods in favor of spiritual enlightenment.

 

 "My Wife" is Entwistle's contribution to the album.

Townshend wrote "Going Mobile" about driving around in a car with no specific destination.  He achieved the guitar sound by plugging it into a synthesizer known as an Envelope Follower, which made it sound as he was playing under water.

 "Getting In Tune" is about the music business, specifically about the conflict between Townshend's spiritual gains and the pressure that being a Rock star put on his beliefs.

The conclusion of the salute to Who is next in Part Three!