Quadrophenia is the sixth studio album by the English rock band the Who, released as a double album on 26 October 1973 by Track Records. It is the group’s third rock opera, the two previous being the “mini-opera” song “A Quick One, While He’s Away” and the album Tommy. Set in London and Brighton in 1965, the story follows a young mod named Jimmy and his search for self-worth and importance. Quadrophenia is the only Who album entirely composed by Pete Townshend. The group started work on the album in 1972, trying to follow up Tommy and Who’s Next, both of which had achieved substantial critical and commercial success. Recording was delayed while bassist John Entwistle and singer Roger Daltrey recorded solo albums and drummer Keith Moon worked on films. Because a new studio was not finished in time, the group had to use Ronnie Lane’s Mobile Studio. The album makes significant use of Townshend’s multi-track synthesizers and sound effects, as well as Entwistle’s layered horn parts, in addition to the group’s typical playing styles, especially from Moon. Relationships between the group and manager Kit Lambert broke down irretrievably during recording and Lambert had left the band’s service by the time the album was released. Quadrophenia was released to a positive reception in both the UK and the US, but the resulting tour was marred with problems with backing tapes replacing the additional instruments on the album, and the stage piece was retired in early 1974. It was revived in 1996 with a larger ensemble, and a further tour took place in 2012. The album made a positive impact on the mod revival movement of the late 1970s, and the resulting 1979 film adaptation was successful. The album has been reissued on compact disc several times, and seen a number of remixes that corrected some perceived flaws in the original.
Tracklisting
- I Am The Sea
- The Real Me
- Quadrophenia
- Cut My Hair
- The Punk And The Godfather
- I’m One
- The Dirty Jobs
- Helpless Dancer
- Is It In My Head
- I’ve Had Enough
- 5.15
- Sea And Sand
- Drowned
- Bell Boy
- Doctor Jimmy
- The Rock
- Love Reign O’er Me
Apple Music
Release Images
Release Information
| Key | Value |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia URL | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrophenia |
| Format | Vinyl 2× LP Album Reissue Remastered Stereo (180g, Gatefold) |
| Label | Track Record |
| Catalog Number | 2780504 |
| Notes | Also repressed in 2015 with the same GZ media stampers. For the 2019 reissue cut at Abbey Road, please refer to [r=15106941]. The gatefold sleeve includes also a 44-page booklet. Made in the E.U. ℗© 1973 Polydor Ltd. UK. Record 1 has the catalog number “2780505” on both labels. Record 2 has the catalog number “2780506” on both labels. Text on back sleeve: This music is dedicated to the kids of Goldhawk Road, Carpenders Park, Forest Hill, Stevenage New Town and to all the people we played to at the Marquee and Brighton Aquarium in the summer of ‘65. Recorded at The Kitchen in Thessally Road, Battersea, while building was still in progress. Ronnie Lane’s Mobile Sound served as control room while ours was being finished. Mixed at Eel Pie Sound. Mastered, the Mastering Lab, Los Angeles. Runouts are mostly stamped, “Ⓜ MILES” etched. |
| Discogs URL | The Who - Quadrophenia |