After the 1971 album ‘Who’s Next’, Pete Townshend returned to the ‘rock-opera’ concept, so dramatically realized through ‘Tommy’, with another ambitious double-album masterpiece. Based around the story of Jimmy – QUADROPHENIA tells the tale of a young mod and his struggle to come of age in the mid-1960s. The story also takes its influence from the band’s early fans from the original mod era, and its themes of teenage angst and disaffection still resonate strongly today.

The full details and track-listing for the forthcoming ‘Director’s Cut’ reissue of ‘Quadrophenia’ are released for the first time below and Pete Townshend has opened his personal archive for the very first time for the release, stating that:

“The time has come for me and my team to honour ‘Quadrophenia’ with a carefully presented package that features examples of the impact surround sound (quadrophonic) would have on the music, to remaster the vinyl mixes, and to collect and restore my demos. I am also going to try to shed some light on the way ‘Quadrophenia’ came about, and how it was inspired by events in my life in 1970 and 1971 when I scribbled or typed the very first notes and lyrics for some of the songs that made it onto the final record.’

‘Quadrophenia: The Director’s Cut’ will be the definitive version of the album and a must for any self-respecting fan of The Who and beyond.

The super-deluxe limited edition box set will feature the following exclusive content:

• Discs one and two – the original double album – 2011 remaster
• Discs three and four – 25 demo tracks from Pete Townshend’s studio archive giving a unique insight into the original vision for this remarkable body of work. Includes songs that were not included on the original album.
• Disc five – ‘The Quadrophenia 5.1 EP’ – exclusive eight track DVD re-mixed for surround sound.
• Deluxe 100-page , hard-back book featuring a brand new 13,000 word essay by Pete Townshend, shedding exclusive light on the period before and during the creation of the album, explaining some of the technical processes – the startling and progressive use of synthesisers as well as a revealing insight into the story of the album’s central character – the mod Jimmy.
• Also features Pete’s in depth, track-by-track guide to the demos and revealing studio diary.
• The stunning book also includes a treasure trove of previously unseen personal notes, photographs, handwritten lyrics and memorabilia from the period, all recently uncovered in Pete’s archive.
• The package also replicates the striking black and white imagery from the original vinyl LP photography and adds never-seen colour out-takes of the famous cover shot.
• A replica 7″ vinyl single featuring hit single ’5.15′ b/w ‘Water’ in a picture sleeve.
• Set of six facsimile memorabilia ‘inserts’ housed in a card envelope.
• Limited edition, housed in a hard-back deluxe slip-case.

Other formats will also be available…

• Double vinyl
• Mini-deluxe digi-pak edition
• Digital

Tracklistings for SDE version:

Original album – 2011 Remaster

To accompany the box set, double vinyl, 2-disc digi-pak and digital versions will also be released.

Based around the story of Jimmy, QUADROPHENIA tells the tale of a young mod and his struggle to come of age in the mid-1960s. The story also takes its influence from the band’s early fans from the original mod era, and its themes of teenage angst and disaffection still resonate strongly today.

The project was intended to reflect the four characters of the Who and features some of Townshend’s most inspired, personal songwriting—way ahead of its time in scope and purpose.

This is one of the most widely recognized albums of the Who’s career because of its classic depiction of mod culture, its renowned imagery and the magnificent music and powerful performances.  

The album is hugely significant in popular culture, influencing many other artists, musicians and film-makers – inspiring the classic 1979 British film by Franc Roddam and the U.K. “mod revival” of the 1970s.

“This 2011 revisit to the Who’s 1973 ‘Quadrophenia’ recording is inspired by current and continuing interest in the project,” explains Townshend. “The Who performed a concert version of the piece at the Royal Albert Hall in 2010 for the Teenage Cancer Trust with excellent reviews, and the success of that event led to the prospect of a Who tour in 2012 based on the album. The last such tour was between 1996-1997.”

The album is scheduled for release via Universal Music Enterprises in November 2011. The box set gives a unique insight into the creation of this landmark album and will feature a remaster of the original double album, Pete Townshend’s previously unheard demos including songs that didn’t make it onto the original album, an exclusive eight-track 5.1 sound DVD, a deluxe hardback book, previously unseen personal notes, photographs, memorabilia and other exclusive material that will be announced over the coming months.

Quadrophenia: The Director’s Cut will be the definitive version of the album and a must for any self-respecting fan of the Who—and beyond.

To accompany the box set, double vinyl, a 2-CD digi-pak and digital versions will also be released.

After legendary guitarist Pete Townshend donated his guitar to Hard Rock and helped to start the brand’s world-famous memorabilia collection, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and Super Bowl XLIV halftime performers The Who are once again making Hard Rock history. Hard Rock International is proud to announce the limited-edition The Who Signature Series: Edition XXVII, designed by Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, which will benefit the band’s chosen charity – City of Hope, a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Fifteen percent of the retail sales from The Who Signature Series: Edition XXVII T-shirts and pins will be donated to City of Hope.

The front of Hard Rock’s new Signature Series T-shirt features The Who‘s famous logo and the timeless image of Pete Townshend swinging his arm “windmill-style” against his guitar strings, set atop a British flag. A backstage pass dangles from the neck of the navy blue T-shirt. The back of the shirt features the words “That’s Who” with an arrow leading from the “o” to the authentic signatures of Townshend and Daltrey. Offered in men’s sizes (S – XXL), Hard Rock’s The Who Signature Series T-shirt is now available online at www.hardrock.com and at Rock Shops at Hard Rock Cafes, Hotels and Casinos worldwide.

“Roger and I have a rich history with Hard Rock International and it’s an honor to join some of music’s greatest legends for this important cause,” said Pete Townshend. “It’s amazing that our design on a T-shirt can literally help save lives.”

Since it was established in 1971, Hard Rock International has been committed to a wide variety of philanthropic causes and activities around the world. Hard Rock developed the concept of partnering with world-renowned musicians and bands to create and donate imaginative designs, which are reproduced onto T-shirts, with a portion of the retail price benefiting the artist’s preferred charity. The Who joins a legendary roster of rock icons – from Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton and Bono, to Jon Bon Jovi, Shakira and John Lennon – to become part of Hard Rock’s Signature Series T-shirt program, which has helped to raise millions of dollars for charitable causes worldwide, such as WHY (World Hunger Year), Crossroads Centre Antigua, Fundacion Pies Descalzos, Amnesty International and more.

“The Who is truly one of the world’s most influential rock bands and an extremely significant part of Hard Rock’s history. Not only did Pete Townshend help to start Hard Rock’s memorabilia collection, but The Who headlined the first-ever Hard Rock Calling concert in London’s Hyde Park in 2006,” said Hamish Dodds, President and CEO, Hard Rock International. “We are honored to have The Who become part of Hard Rock’s renowned global Signature Series T-shirt program and show our support for City of Hope and its mission.”

Located just outside Los Angeles, City of Hope is one of 40 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. City of Hope is recognized worldwide for its compassionate patient care, innovative science and translational research, which rapidly turns laboratory breakthroughs into promising new therapies.

The Who Signature Series: Edition XXVII, in collaboration with Hard Rock International and Doug Morris, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group, is a key fundraising program first announced at the 2008 Spirit of Life® event. The event honored Doug Morris for his outstanding contributions to the community, music industry and significant fundraising campaigns and his longtime support of City of Hope’s lifesaving research and treatments.

Source: Hard Rock International

The Bridgestone Super Bowl halftime show is one of the most anticipated musical events of the year. More than 151 million viewers in the U.S. watched last year’s show. The Super Bowl and halftime show will be broadcast worldwide in more than 230 countries and territories.

The Who join an esteemed list of recent halftime acts that includes Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Prince, the Rolling Stones, and Paul McCartney.

Few bands have had a more lasting impact on the rock era and the reverberating pop culture than THE WHO. Emerging in the mid-1960s as a new and incendiary force in rock n’ roll, their brash style and poignant storytelling garnered them one of music’s most passionate followings, with the legendary foursome blazing a searing new template for rock, punk, and everything after. Inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame in 1990, the band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, placing 27 top-forty singles in the United States and United Kingdom and earning 17 Top Ten albums, including the 1969 groundbreaking rock opera Tommy, 1971′s pummeling Live At Leeds, 1973′s Quadrophenia, 1978′s Who Are You, and their most recently acclaimed Endless Wire, their first full length album of new material in nearly two decades. Last year they became the first rock band ever to be awarded the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors.

Singer ROGER DALTREY, guitarist and songwriter PETE TOWNSHEND, The Who’s two remaining original members, are once again being hailed as rock standard bearers. Daltrey and Townshend debuted in 1964 with a trio of anthems–”I Can’t Explain,” “The Kids Are Alright” and “My Generation.” Since then they have delivered to the world hits such as “Baba O’Riley,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “Pinball Wizard,” Who Are You,” and “You Better You Bet.” Unprecedented demand for their sold out trek across the globe, which began in 2007 and blazed up until the first half of 2009, reaffirmed their reputation as rock’s most influential and robust performing artists.

This year marks the third time the Bridgestone brand has sponsored the Super Bowl halftime show.

The BRIDGESTONE SUPER BOWL XLIV HALFTIME SHOW is an NFL NETWORK PRODUCTION and will be executive produced by RICKY KIRSHNER and directed by HAMISH HAMILTON.

Source: National Football League