Who’s ‘Quadrophenia’ Getting Orchestral Treatment
The Who's 1973 rock opera 'Quadrophenia' will get an orchestral treatment in 2015. The London Oriana Choir, which is participating in the project, shared the news on its website.
According to the site, Pete Townshend was on hand for the recording of vocals last night. And apparently somebody at the choir couldn't wait to break the news. "Now that it's in the can, we can drop the secrecy and make the big announcement," they write. "The big studio session we did last night was with the legendary Pete Townshend, recording the backing vocals for an orchestral version of Quadrophenia to be released in the new year!"
The session took place at London's AIR Studios, which was founded by Beatles producer George Martin. Over the years, Townshend, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Paul McCartney, among many others, have recorded there.
According to the post, Townshend was "surprisingly pleased" by last night's performance. The choir also tweeted that there will be an "album-launch concert" at Royal Albert Hall on July 5, 2015.
No word on whether Townshend will be around to help usher in the orchestral version of his story about disaffected British youth in the mid-'60s. Chances are, he may be busy, since the Who have scheduled a massive world tour for next year. But his schedule is clear from June through mid-September right now, so it's a possibility.
Townshend and Roger Daltrey, the only two surviving members of the Who, are celebrating the band's 50th anniversary with a new compilation, 'Who Hits 50!,' which comes out next week. It includes their first new song, 'Be Lucky,' since 2006's 'Endless Wire' album.