20 Most IMPORTANT Classic Rock Albums Ever Made
9. Tommy - The Who
From the get go, rock has been known for its somewhat primitive musical structure. With most of the early rock based on not much more than 3 chords, people were really divided as to whether the genre had staying power for future generations. Quickly expanding his musical palette, Pete Townshend decided to sculpt a musical undertaking that turned the traditional song structure inside out.
Whereas most rock songs follow a traditional story format, Tommy goes the extra mile with the entire album providing the backdrop for this epic tale of a deaf, dumb, and blind boy trying to cope with the afflictions in his life. Though there are some bluesy musings to go around, this album is when rock officially left the blues clubs of the South and moved into the theater.
Across every track, the band put their all into relaying this boy's troubled life through the pure power of music, whether it's describing a drug trip on "Underture" or finding a doctor to cure his ailments on "Go To The Mirror." The album ended up doing so well that both a film and stage adaptation have been made to accompany these songs. Rock may have been progressing by leaps and bounds, but the Who showed that there was considerable power in a narrative rather than technical finesse.