DISQUS

Tom K · 2 years ago

Quadrophenia shares the water theme with another 20th C. artist and Faber editor: see T.S. Eliot's "Four Quartets" (note the tetraphic name).

I daresay Eliot surpasses Pete's lyrical gift, but not by nearly so great a margin as that by which Pete outrocks the Possum.

There are numerous other Townshend-Eliot connections, which I'd love to see developed by someone with access to the resources necessary to get at the root of them. "Drowned" from Q and The Sea Refuses No River from Pete's solo work are part of the answer here (as, I suppose, must be his later solo work, "All Shall Be Well", echoing Little Gidding echoing Julian of Norwich). I think there's a reason the lyric "Teenage Wasteland" isn't "Teenage Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Night".

Someone who knows how Townshend came to work at Faber could doubtless contribute to this important study. My effort to raise it, years ago, on the U. of Missouri's T.S. Eliot listserve went over like a Led Zeppelin.

Tom Watson · 2 years ago

TK - this is the right venue, and you're the right developer...

Bill Thompson · 2 years ago

I was on Brighton Beach just a few weeks ago, singing that same song as I walked under the pier :-)

And I remember a Who exhibition at the ICA in about 1980... and of course seeing them live at Wembley in 1979. Townshend spoke to every disaffected adolecent - he certainly spoke to me. And Quadrophenia is definitely his finest work - got to agree.

Bill Thompson · 2 years ago

Tom, let me see what I can dig out of Faber - I know the CEO :-)

OutOfContext · 2 years ago

One of the best midnight movies from my youth, as much as I can remember. The apex of Sting's career. Great album for the songs, especially '5:15' and 'Cut My Hair'. Not a big fan of 'rock opera', concept albums, or the book of any traditional opera either for that matter. Still if I had to take a 'rock opera' into space with me, I could do a lot worse (Preservation Act 1, anyone?).



Q: Are you a mod or a rocker?
A: I'm a mocker.

--Not from the picture of the same name.

Brouhaha · 2 years ago

Amen, Brother.

Quadrophenia is a work that transcends its subject matter and will continue to remain relevant long after Pete is gone.

Ralph · 2 years ago

Quadrophenia is novel set to music, a human story about real people living real lives in post-war England. Tommy, equally brilliant, was about spiritual enlightenment and was filled with heavy-handed allegories. But Quadrophenia hits you where you live - troubled youth trying to figure out how to rebel, fight and survive in the adult world. It's about discovering who the hell you are and whether you even want to stick around in this crazy world of mods and rockers, pills and drink, cold angry parents and condescending adults. The ocean is his connection to Nature, to the timeless universe, a glimse into the mystery of life itself. The working class hero yearns to make something of himself without the benefit of art school or trips abroad on daddy's dime. Hard to believe that the album is neither played or mentioned in "The Kids are Alright" documentary. They have been neglecting it on recent tours it seems as well. Shame. In "A Hard Day's Night" a reporter asks Ringo if he was a "Mod or a Rocker" to which Ringo replies "I'm a Mocker".

Kurt · 2 years ago

Agreed on all counts. However, the bleedin' 'oo can still rock. I really liked their last album "Endless Wire"; especially the song "Man In A Purple Dress"

Brain45 · 2 years ago

I think Quadrophenia is the most poignant evocation of teenage angst that's ever been put on vinyl.

jon · 2 years ago

Rough Mix, recorded with Ronnie Laine, is damn near perfect. Never gets old for me.

inflatable boat · 6 months ago

Very true. The stress-busting ambiance of the beach is a paradise for every man.

Armani Sunglasses · 3 months ago

I can say that Quadrophenia is a musical masterpiece...
I agree with all of your thoughts.. Great post again..