The definitive illustrated companion to the Who’s legendary Tommy album.

Foreword by Pete Townshend

This updated and expanded edition ofTommy at Fiftyis the definitive illustrated companion to the album that made the Who one of the greatest and most influential bands of the rock era. Written by two leading experts on, and close associates of, the groupjournalist and author Chris Charlesworth and original album cover designer Mike McInnerneyit considers the album from four distinct angles, examining the mood of its creation, the origins of its music, the look of the artwork and its subsequent film adaptation, and its enduring legacy.

With a foreword by Pete Townshend and cover art created exclusively for this book by McInnerney,Tommy at Fiftyoffers an unparalleled window into the Whos finest hour.With the exception perhaps of My Generation,Tommyremains the work with which the Who are most closely associated. Its the album that turned Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon into millionaire superstars, and, like its Messiah figure title character, it casts a long shadow over both their subsequent work together and the canon of 20thcentury rock music.By Chris Charlesworth and Mike McInnerney and Foreword by Pete TownshendIn 1970, Chris Charlesworthjoined the staff ofMelody Makerat that time, one of Britains leading music publicationsgoing on to serve as news editor and American editor before leaving the paper in 1977. During this period, he became particularly close to the Who, traveling with them on tour and visiting them at their homes in a social capacity. Mike McInnerneyhas designed record sleeves, including the Whos Tommy, and produced editorial illustration work for leading journals such as BritainsSunday TimesandNovamagazine. His work is exhibited at major institutions around the world, including Londons Whitechapel Art Gallery and Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Whitney Museum, New York. Pete Townshend is best known as the guitarist and principal songwriter of the legendary British rock group the Who. He is the author of more than 100 of the groups songs, including such classics as My Generation and Wont Get Fooled Again, as well as the bulk of Tommy and all of Quadrophenia.184 color and b/w photosThe Mood, the Look, and the Legacy of the Who’s Legendary Rock Opera, Revised and Extended Edition184 color and b/w photos