1969-70

There is a stark lack of detailed information surrounding the recording process of “Tommy.” What is known:
  • First booked session was 19th September 1968 at IBC Studio A.
  • The studio was block-booked weekly from 2-10 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, although sessions regularly ran past 10 p.m.  Regular breaks were taken to accommodate the band’s never-ending concert schedule. 
  • Confirmed session dates occurred in 1969, again at IBC, on:
    *    January – Tue. 21st and Wed. 22nd
    *    February – Mon. 3rd-Fri. 7th; Mon. 10th-Fri. 14th; Mon. 17th-Fri. 21st; and Mon. 24th-Fri. 28th
    *    March – Mon. 3rd-Fri. 7th
  • Mixing then took place, followed on Mon. 31st March by a final recording session at Pan Sound.
  • In the week commencing Mon. 21st April, IBC Studio A hosted the stereo mastering of “Tommy.” 
Unless otherwise noted, all tracks below presumably were recorded during this period.
1.     Overture (Original Mix) (5:21)
(Pete Townshend)
Released 26th September 1970 as UK Track (2094004) A-side; reissued 6th November 1970 as UK track EP (2252001)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

2.     It’s A Boy (Original Mix) (0:39)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

3.     1921 (Original Mix) (2:49)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

4.     Amazing Journey (Original Mix) (5:04)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

5.     Sparks (Original Mix) (2:05)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

6.     Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker) (Original Mix) (2:14)
(Mose Alison)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

7.     Christmas (Original Mix) (4:33)
(Pete Townshend)
Released 6th November 1970 as UK Track EP (2252001)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

8.     Cousin Kevin (Original Mix) (4:07)
(John Entwistle)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

9.     The Acid Queen (Original Mix) (3:34)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

10.  Underture (Original Mix) (10:04)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

11.  Do You Think It’s Alright (Original Mix) (0:24)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

12.  Fiddle About (Original Mix) (1:31)
(John Entwistle)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

13.  Pinball Wizard (Original Mix) (3:01)
(Pete Townshend)
Released 7th March 1969 as UK Track (604027) A-side; withdrawn and reissued 6th November 1970 as UK track EP (2252001)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

14.  There’s A Doctor (Original Mix) (0:24)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

15.  Go To The Mirror (Original Mix) (3:48)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

16.  Tommy Can You Hear Me (Original Mix) (1:36)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

17.  Smash The Mirror (Original Mix) (1:35)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

18.  Sensation (Original Mix) (2:28)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

19.  Miracle Cure (Original Mix) (0:13)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

20.  Sally Simpson (Original Mix) (4:11)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

Pete Townshend works in his home studio in Twickenham, outside London, in 1969.

1968: Promotional box set of
21.  I’m Free (Original Mix) (2:39)
(Pete Townshend)
Released 6th November 1970 as UK Track EP (2252001)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

22.  Welcome (Original Mix) (4:33)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

23.  Tommy’s Holiday Camp (Original Mix) (0:57)
(Keith Moon)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

24.  We’re Not Gonna Take It (Original Mix) (7:08)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

25.  Overture (Remix) (5:22)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

26.  It’s A Boy (Remix) (0:39)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

27.  1921 (Remix) (2:50)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

28.  Amazing Journey (Remix) (3:25)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

29.  Sparks (Remix) (3:47)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

30.  Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker) (Remix) (2:14)
(Mose Alison)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

31.  Christmas (Remix) (4:34)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

32.  Cousin Kevin (Remix) (4:07)
(John Entwistle)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

33.  The Acid Queen (Remix) (3:35)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen“Tommy” remaster

34.  Underture (Remix) (10:09)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

35.  Do You Think It’s Alright (Remix) (0:24)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

36.  Fiddle About (Remix) (1:30)
(John Entwistle)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster











Pete Townshend poses in his 
home studio 
in Twickenham 
in 1969.
1968:
37.  Pinball Wizard (Remix) (3:02)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

38.  There’s A Doctor (Remix) (0:24)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

39.  Go To The Mirror (Remix) (3:50)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

40.  Tommy Can You Hear Me (Remix) (1:36)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

41.  Smash The Mirror (Remix) (1:35)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

42.  Sensation (Remix) (2:27)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

43.  Miracle Cure (Remix) (0:12)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

44.  Sally Simpson (Remix) (4:12)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

45.  I’m Free (Remix) (2:40)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

46.  Welcome (Remix) (4:34)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

47.  Tommy’s Holiday Camp (Remix) (0:57)
(Keith Moon)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

48.  We’re Not Gonna Take It (Remix) (7:08)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: Geffen “Tommy” remaster

49.  Dogs (Part 2) (2:29)
(Keith Moon, Towser & Jason)
Recorded: 12th February 1969, IBC Studios, London; released 7th March 1969 as UK Track (604027) B-side of “Pinball Wizard”
Source: US MCA “Two’s Missing”

50.  Dogs (Part 2) (Alternate Mix) (2:30)
(Keith Moon, Towser & Jason)
Recorded: 12th February 1969, IBC Studios, London
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Deluxe Edition)”

51.  I Was (0:18)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Deluxe Edition)”

52.  Christmas (Take 3) (4:45)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Deluxe Edition)”

53.  Cousin Kevin Model Child (Original Mix) (1:26)
(John Entwistle)
Source: UK Polydor “Odds and Sods” remaster

54.  Cousin Kevin Model Child (Alternate Mix) (1:26)
(John Entwistle)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Deluxe Edition)”
The House That TracK Built
55.  Young Man Blues (2:48)
(Mose Alison)
Released September 1969 on “The House That Track Built” LP
Source: YouTube

56.  Young Man Blues (Alternate Version I) (2:49)
(Mose Alison)
A slower take; it is assumed this version was recorded at normal pitch, then slowed down to mimic a raw blues style
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Deluxe Edition)”

57.  Young Man Blues (Alternate Version II) (2:45)
(Mose Alison)
Another alternate take with a single-tracked vocal
Source: Japanese Polydor SHM “Odds and Sods”

58.  Trying To Get Through (2:15)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Deluxe Edition)”

59.  Trying to Get Through (Alternate Version) (2:10)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Super Deluxe Edition)”

 60.  Sally Simpson (Outtakes) (4:10)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Deluxe Edition)”

61.  Miss Simpson (4:21)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Deluxe Edition)”

62.  Welcome (Take 3) (3:45)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Deluxe Edition)”

63.  Tommy Can You Hear Me (Alternate Backing Track) (2:01)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Deluxe Edition)”

64.  Tommy Can You Hear Me (The Kids Are Alright Soundtrack Version) (1:45)
(Pete Townshend)
Version features an extended outro containing a Keith Moon “surprise”
Source: UK Polydor “The Kids Are Alright” soundtrack

65.  Tommy’s Holiday Camp (Band Backing Track Version) (1:09)
(Keith Moon)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Deluxe Edition)”

66.  We’re Not Gonna Take It (Alternate Version) (6:12)
(Pete Townshend)
Source: UK Polydor “Tommy (Deluxe Edition)”

67.  Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker) (Alternate Vocal Version) (2:14)
(Mose Alison)
Source: US Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs “Tommy”

68.  Smash The Mirror (Alternate Version) (1:38)
(Pete Townshend)
Alternate version features different mirror-smashing sounds
Source: US Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs “Tommy”

69.  I’m Free (BBC Session Version) (2:29)
(Pete Townshend)
Recorded: 13th April 1970, IBC Studios, London
Source: “Maximum BBC” bootleg
70.  Pinball Wizard (BBC Session Version) (2:49)
(Pete Townshend)
Recorded: 13th April 1970, IBC Studios, London
Source: “Maximum BBC” bootleg

71.  Pinball Wizard (Tom Jones Show Version) (2:51)
(Pete Townshend)
Alternate backing track recorded specifically for this show, with a live vocal from Roger; broadcast April 16th 1969
Source: YouTube 

72.  Shakin’ All Over (BBC Session Version) (3:46)
(Johnny Kidd)
Recorded: 13th April 1970, IBC Studios, London
Source: “Maximum BBC” bootleg

73.  Heaven And Hell (3:34)
(John Entwistle)
Recorded: 13th April 1970, IBC Studios, London; released 10th July 1970 as UK Track (2094002) B-side to “Summertime Blues” (taken from Live At Leeds)
Source: Japan Polydor SHM “Who’s Missing”

74.  Heaven And Hell (Alternate Mix) (3:09)
(John Entwistle)
Recorded: 13th April 1970, IBC Studios, London
Source: “Maximum BBC” bootleg

SCENES FROM "THE SEEKER" RECORDING SESSIONS, HELD AT IBC STUDIOS
IN LONDON ON 19th-20th JANUARY, 1970
Above, John Entwistle plays a Rickenbacker bass 
on 19th January.



Left, Keith Moon takes a break during recording on 19th January.



Below right, 
Pete Townshend,
Kit Lambert and Roger Daltrey at
IBC Studios on
19th January
1970.
75.  The Seeker (3:11)
(Pete Townshend)
Recorded: 19th and 20th January 1970, IBC Studios, London; released 20th March 1970 as UK Track (604036) A-side
Source: US MCA “Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy

76.  The Seeker (Long Version) (3:22)
(Pete Townshend)
Recorded: 19th and 20th January 1970, IBC Studios, London
Source: UK Polydor “30 Years Of Maximum R ‘n’ B”

77.  The Seeker (BBC Session) (3:02)
(Pete Townshend)
Recorded: 19th March 1970, BBC Television Centre, London
Source: “Maximum BBC” bootleg

78.  Substitute (BBC Session Version) (2:15)
(Pete Townshend)
Recorded: 13th April 1970, IBC Studios, London
Source: “Maximum BBC” bootleg

79.  Here For More (2:26)
(Roger Daltrey)
Recorded: 10th February 1970, IBC Studios; released 20th March 1970 as UK Track (604036) B-side of “The Seeker”
Source: Japan Polydor “Rarities 1966-1973”

80.  I Don’t Even Know Myself (Unreleased EP Version) (4:10)
(Pete Townshend)
Recorded: March-May 1970, Eel Pie Sound Studio, London
Source: Japan Polydor SHM “Two’s Missing”

81.  Postcard (Unreleased EP Version) (3:27)
(John Entwistle)
Recorded: March and May 1970, Eel Pie Sound Studio, London
Source: Japan Polydor SHM “Who’s Missing”

82.  Postcard (3:33)
(John Entwistle)
Recorded: March and May 1970, Eel Pie Sound Studio, London; mixed in 1974 by John Entwistle
Source: USA MCA “Odds and Sods”

83.  Now I’m A Farmer (4:09)
(Pete Townshend)
Recorded: March and May 1970, Eel Pie Sound Studio, London
Source: USA MCA “Odds and Sods”

84.  Now I’m A Farmer (Long Version) (4:11)
(Pete Townshend)
Recorded: March and May 1970, Eel Pie Sound Studio, London
Source: UK Polydor “Odds and Sods” remaster

85.  Water (4:40)
(Pete Townshend)
Recorded: March and May 1970, Eel Pie Sound Studio, London; released 5th October 1973 as UK Track (2094) B-side of “5.15”
Source: UK Polydor “Odds and Sods” remaster

86.  Naked Eye (5:19)
(Pete Townshend)
Recorded: March and May 1970, Eel Pie Sound Studio, London
Source: Japan Polydor “Rarities 1966-1973”

87.  Naked Eye (Long Version) (5:28)
(Pete Townshend)
Recorded: March and May 1970, Eel Pie Sound Studio, London
Source: UK Polydor “Odds and Sods” remaster