>Finally, a comparison with 'The Wall' to 'Tommy' As they point out that it >was hard not to notice that The Wall had many similarities to an "earlier >rock opera, the Who's Tommy (1969), which also formed a basis for a double >album, rock concert performances, a film and years later a stage play" Janet: Not to mention that both deal with a British youth who loses his father to WWII, and both kids have severe mental problems (even if Pink's developed later), and both ended the problem with a violent "breaking out" event (smashing the mirror and tearing down the wall). No, it's not hard to notice at all...
Recently saw "the Wall" on DVD - and I also noted how similar they
were - then logged on here to see the same discussion! : )
I even think that some of the musical themes at the end (the "tear down
the wall" bit) sound a bit like they came from "we're not gonna take it"
- the Who's live versions especially - does anyone else hear the similarities?
By the way, on the commentary track of the DVD with Roger Waters and the animator (Gerald Scarfe) talking over the movie, they talk about Keith Moon --- during the scene of Pink trashing the hotel room, Waters mentions how that scene was modeled after other rock stars he knew - when the animator mentions Keith, Waters remarks that Keith wouldn't have been so random and angry, he thought Keith was much more eloquent and artful in trashing a room, and mentions how Keith would do creative things like plant fire crackers in the 'loo....He ends by mentioning that Keith had a "very surreal sense of humor"! <g>
Both The Wall and Tommy end with the main character looking inside himself -- At least Tommy finds a sort of salvation....(I'm still not sure what exactly happens to Pink, if he breaks through in a positive way or not...seeing as he is partially based on Syd Barrett, I imagine it's not a happy ending...)
Seeing as Roger Waters and Pete must know each other, I wonder if they've ever talked about the similarities? (Makes me want to listen to "Radio KAOS" again and see if I can catch any other similarities in their themes!)
--- Here's my misheard lyric - which I stuck to for years!
"Face dances tonight, fate chances moonlight..."
I heard as --- "Face dances tonight, fake transistor light..."
I thought that was such a cool lyric when the song first came out...only recently discovered that I'd been singing the wrong thing! - Still sing it that way though! <g>
Kath
(still waiting somewhat impatiently for the BBC sessions...and Lifehouse
Chronicals....and Avitar....etc...etc...etc...)