The WHO "TOMMY" Original Art Print Main Edition With Printed Artist Signature

Description

Tommy
is the fourth
studio album
by the English
rock
band
The Who
, a
double album
first released in 23 May 1969. The album was mostly composed by guitarist
Pete Townshend
, and is a
rock opera
that tells the story of Tommy Walker, a "deaf, dumb and blind" boy, including his experiences with life and his relationship with his family.
Townshend came up with the concept of
Tommy
after being introduced to the work of
Meher Baba
, and attempted to translate Baba's teachings into music. Recording on the album began in September 1968, but took six months to complete as material needed to be arranged and re-recorded in the studio.
Tommy
was acclaimed upon its release by critics, who hailed it as the Who's breakthrough. Its critical standing diminished slightly in later years; nonetheless, several writers view it as an important and influential album in the history of rock music. The Who promoted the album's release with an extensive tour, including a live version of
Tommy
, which lasted throughout 1969 and 1970. Key gigs from the tour included appearances at
Woodstock
, the
1969 Isle of Wight Festival
, the
University of Leeds
, the
Metropolitan Opera House
, and the
1970 Isle of Wight Festival
. The live performances of
Tommy
drew critical praise and rejuvenated the band's career.
Townshend thought Mike McInnerney, a fellow follower of
Meher Baba
, would be a suitable choice to do the cover. As recording was near completion, McInnerney received a number of cassettes with completed songs and a brief outline for the story, which he immediately recognised as being based on Baba's teachings.
[71]
He wanted to try and convey the world of a deaf, dumb and blind boy, and decided to "depict a kind of breaking out of a certain restricted plane into freedom."
[72]
The finished cover contained a blue and white web of clouds, a fist punching into the black void to the left of it.
This print was produced in 1990 by Record Art Inc and later distributed by MUSICOM. This particular version is the main edition of 9800 featuring the printed signature of Michael McInnerney. SPECIAL SALE