Tommy by the Who is a personal favourite of mine. Although the album (the fourth by the Who) came out in 1969, i became obsessed with it when the “rock opera” was released as a film in the 70’s. My father, who distributed it for Columbia Pictures, especially loved Tina Tuner as the Acid Queen and brought me hundreds of Roger Daltrey pics which i hung all over my room. Then there was the fantastic Broadway iteration in the early 90’s.
And now 2011—two options to see Tommy:
First there is an amateur production by students at the Royal Academy of Music. Performances will be held on Tuesday 21st, Friday 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June. http://www.ram.ac.uk/whats-on
Second this summer Roger Daltrey is on tour performing Tommy in its entirety. Pete Townshend has now unfortunately lost most of his hearing and won’t be accompanying Daltrey, but Townshend’s son Simon will appear in his place. The tour will stop at the O2 on July 21st but it could be fun to experience it on July 3rd date at Ragley Hall in Alcester, Warwickshire.