15: WHO'S NEXT | THE WHO
Michael Gallucci at UCR writes: Pete Townshend was brimming with ideas as the '60s turned into the '70s. The Who were coming off their most monumental album, Tommy, and the massive tour that followed. An entire generation was sparked by the work, which eventually spawned a movie, a Broadway musical and countless imitators. Tommy was a cultural milestone, which left Townshend reeling: What's next?
For the band's guitarist and chief songwriter, the answer was another rock opera.
In 1970, Townshend started to piece together a new project for the band's fifth LP, Lifehouse – which was, like Tommy, a story-driven album. The initial concept stemmed from the Who's enormous growth over the past several months, as the band moved further and further away from its fan base – figuratively and literally, as concerts became huger and the divide between the stage and audience widened. But at the same time, Townshend never felt more connected to his fans.
The sci-fi concept of Lifehouse took this all in: In the future, rock music is banned. But the kids found a way to experience it through a form of virtual reality in a place where they gathered to listen and commune – a house where the music takes on an almost religious quality. Songs were written and recorded, and a rough sketch of how it all comes together was laid out.
But Lifehouse hit some bumps along the way, not least of which was nobody could make sense of the damn thing. Plus, Townshend has said he suffered a nervous breakdown when he couldn't assemble the piece in a cohesive way. Still, he liked several of the new songs enough that he continued to work on and refine them, even after he abandoned his original concept (or rather, he put it on a back burner and revisited the project many times over the course of the Who's career as well as his solo career). And he wasn't too thrilled about undertaking another heady rock opera after Tommy, despite his initial feelings on the matter.
So he scrapped Lifehouse (for now), carried over some of his favorite songs and started to assemble a straightforward rock 'n' roll record. The result, Who's Next, was released in August 1971, and stands as the Who's best album, a filler-free explosion of guitar-powered riffs, generation-sparking lyrics and larynx-shredding anthems….
Who’s Next is a classic album by the British rock band The Who, released in 1971. It is widely regarded as one of the best and most influential albums of all time, as well as a masterpiece of the rock opera genre.
The album was originally conceived as a follow-up to the band’s previous rock opera, Tommy, which was a huge success in 1969. The new project, titled Lifehouse, was an ambitious and complex concept that involved a futuristic story, a film, a live performance, and an interactive experience with the audience. However, the project proved to be too difficult and frustrating for the band and their producer, Kit Lambert, who eventually abandoned it.
The band then decided to salvage some of the songs from Lifehouse and rework them into a standalone album, with the help of a new producer, Glyn Johns. The album features nine songs that are loosely connected by a theme of spiritual and musical liberation. The songs are powerful, dynamic, and diverse, ranging from hard rock to ballads to synth-pop. The lyrics, written by the band’s lead singer and songwriter, Pete Townshend, are often cryptic and philosophical, exploring themes such as identity, technology, communication, and love.
The album was recorded in several sessions at Olympic Studios and Island Studios in London, as well as at Stargroves, Mick Jagger’s country house in Newbury. The album features the band’s classic lineup: Townshend on guitar and vocals, Roger Daltrey on vocals and harmonica, John Entwistle on bass and vocals, and Keith Moon on drums and percussion. The album also features guest appearances by Nicky Hopkins on piano, Dave Arbus on violin, Al Kooper on organ, and Leslie West on guitar.
The album was released on 14 August 1971 on Decca Records in the US and Track Records in the UK. It was a critical and commercial success, reaching number one on both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200 chart. It also spawned four hit singles: “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, “Baba O’Riley”, “Behind Blue Eyes”, and “My Wife”. The album received widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike, who praised its musical innovation, originality, and impact. The album has been included in several lists of the best albums of all time by publications such as Rolling Stone , NME , and Pitchfork . The album has also been reissued several times, with bonus tracks and remixes.
Who’s Next is a timeless album that showcases The Who’s genius and legacy. It is an album that transcends genres, boundaries, and expectations. It is an album that still sounds fresh and inspiring today, 52 years after its release.