Tommy Who!

In the organizer's words:

Legendary concept work live on stage
The band Tommy Who! formed in 2019 to mark the 50th anniversary of the rock opera Tommy. The band has already thrilled audiences and critics alike three times with concert performances of this legendary conceptual work by The Who at the Deutsches Theater. During the ball season, the band will once again present the best songs from Tommy paired with other hits by the British cult rockers.

A piece of music history
With their performance at the legendary Woodstock Festival in 1969, The Who helped write an important piece of music history. A few weeks before this performance, however, they had already delivered their very own chapter in rock history with the release of the concept album Tommy - and at the same time one of the first and most important rock operas ever. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the album, The Who completed a spectacular tour in 1989, on which the band was supported by drummer Simon Philipps and John Bundrick on keys, among others. One evening during this tour is legendary, when illustrious guests such as Elton John, Phil Collins, Steve Winwood, Patti LaBelle and Billy Idol joined them on stage.

Tommy Who!
On the occasion of Tommy's 50th anniversary, the Munich tribute band TOMMY WHO! was formed, which is now bringing this concert back to the stage almost one-to-one. TOMMY WHO! consists of three members of the Munich formation Prognostic - Martin Stellmacher (piano, keyboards), Arno Baum (bass) and Georg Kleesattel (vocals) - the two guitarists Chris Hasler (ZEP) and Alexander Kirmayr as well as drummer Tommy Wagner (Lustfinger, among others). The group is completed by singer Claudia Cane and singer Michael Schinkel (Eternal Flame).

The "wonder boy" Tommy
Tommy is the story of Tommy Walker, who becomes deaf, dumb and blind as a child when he accidentally witnesses his father, who was thought to have been lost in the war, beating his mother's new husband to death after his unexpected return. From now on, Tommy lives isolated in his own world ("Amazing Journey"). Further disturbing experiences are added, such as abuse by relatives ("Cousin Kevin", "Fiddle About") or obscure attempts at healing ("Acid Queen"). Tommy discovers his talent for playing pinball machines and becomes the acclaimed world champion ("Pinball Wizard"). Finally, he can be cured, as he is able to fully perceive and speak after his mirror image is broken ("Go to the Mirror", "Smash the Mirror"). This "miracle cure" turns him into a messiah ("Sensation", "Miracle Cure"), who gathers numerous followers around him ("Sally Simpson"). But they soon feel deceived by their self-appointed leader and drop him ("We're Not Gonna Take It").

Almost all the songs were composed by guitarist Pete Townshend, who had come up with the idea for the concept album three years earlier. Townshend was also inspired by the teachings of the Indian mystic and guru Meher Baba. The success of the album was followed by a film adaptation of the material in 1975 with Tina Turner and Elton John in guest roles, as well as productions as a musical and ballet. The film celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.

More: https://www.deutsches-theater.de/tommy-who/