Re: The Pretty things

[Granny <alsim@polarnet.ca>]

Further to what Sheryl wrote, S. F. Sorrow was acknowledged by Pete as
the first rock-opera as early as 1972/73. The original band included
Dick Taylor, Vic Prince and Phil May (the name rings a bell but I can't
think why) in 1964. The band, to quote "Projected outrageous, evil image
that made Stones, who they rivalled for a short while, look as clean cut
as Beatles". Their next album, Parachute, released in 1969 was voted the
Rolling Stone album of the year (what else, besides the obvious, was
released that year?). It, along with S. F. Sorrow, was totally ignored
by the public. The band split in 1970 and reformed in 1971 with only May
remaining. All the info was obtained from the NME Book of Rock 1973.
Also from the same book:
"With (Tommy) Townsend finally realised his master plan, ..." "... time
has shown it (Tommy) to lack the immediacy and coherence of the group's
less ambitious work." And my favourite, the final sentence, "It remains
to be seen whether he (Townsend) and The Who have played themselves
out."
Granny


msbatt wrote:

>  Rob,Regarding the Pretty Things influence on the Who...In 1968, a
> full year before the release of "Tommy", The Pretty Things album "S.F.
> Sorrow" was released and became the first  "rock opera" of its kind to
> hit the music world.  It featured a running story focusing on
> "Sebastian F. Sorrow" and his trials and tribulations in a society
> stricken by war and his descent into a dark world of depression after
> the death of his true love. The similarities between "S.F. Sorrow" and
> "Tommy" are noticable considering the manner in which the album is
> constructed, the storyline and some of the music (i.e the intro to
> Pinball Wizard vs. the intro to Old Man Going...of course Pinball
> Wizard being a much superior display of power strumming).  However,
> "Tommy" brought in more of the elements of opera such as a reoccurring
> musical theme.In the liner notes to the recently remastered version of
> the cd Aurthur Brown (of "Fire" fame) states what he saw as the
> importance of S.F. Sorrow to Pete.  He claims that more so than Pete,
> Kit Lambert "saw the power of the idea" of S.F. Sorrow and "hammered
> away at Townshend to write an opera like S.F. Sorrow".  Needless to
> say "S.F. Sorrow" soared into obscurity and didn't see its due share
> of praise until years after its release and we all know what happened
> with "Tommy".  At any rate, "S.F. Sorrow" warrents a listen from any
> Who fan...it's an amazing album.  Hope this helps clear the air
> some...sheryl