The weird true story behind The Who’s Pinball Wizard

[@MusicMongoose]

Thanks for watching the video! If you’d like to support me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/musicmongoose

[@Mellocore]

At 5 minutes in (roughly), you state that Tommy's traumatic event was his father killing his mother's new lover. It's actually the other way around: his father, missing since the war, returns to find his mother in bed with her new man, starts a row (which Tommy wakes and walks in on), and this man kills the father. Mother and lover tell Tommy he didn't hear it, he didn't see it, he won't say nothing.

[@MusicMongoose]

You are absolutely right. That one slipped through the net - good spot!

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

I think it’s told both ways… On Broadway might’ve been the other way around. Or maybe the movie… Let’s look into it.

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

Not sure, but I thought it was one way on the album, and the other way in the movie.

[@Mellocore]

@@KZbinallowedmynametobestolen Indeed. Wikipedia states: British Army Captain Walker goes missing during an expedition and is believed dead ("Overture"). His wife, Mrs. Walker, gives birth to their son, Tommy ("It's a Boy"). Years later, Captain Walker returns home and discovers that his wife has found a new lover. The Captain kills the lover in front of Tommy. This is opposite of what's in the movie, which I've seen more times than I've listened to the album. Reading the lyrics, I can't really tell and they do not contradict the movie (which I saw first). Watching Oliver Reed bring to life "the lover" makes more sense as the murderer than the father, returning years after the war, would be the murderer AND berate the child such that he becomes withdrawn. But obviously, I'm very biased. Finally, @MusicMongoose I wanted to say how much I enjoyed the video.

[@johnoliverio8729]

@@KZbinallowedmynametobestolen Yes, I remember it as you do.

[@arthurvandelay7677]

I had a Rolling Stone compilation of interviews with Pete Townsend and other articles about The Who. It didn’t take long to figure that Townshend has a histrionic personality. Sometimes he remembered things depending upon what he was feeling at the moment. That doesn’t take away from his genius as a songwriter and performer, but rather adds to it. Still, you perhaps should take his “explanations” with a grain of salt, knowing that there is a kernel of truth in there somewhere.

[@haroldwilson950]

John Entwhistle's (The Ox) completely makes this song fantastic for me... I've never stopped listening to it for 45 years straight. 🎸 Thanks for the inside peek about the history of this song mate. 👍

[@triandfit1]

The funny thing for me was that the first version that I heard was Elton John on the movie soundtrack which is close to how I’ve herd them play it live- more rocked out. Good video.

[@davefordavefor]

Great video. Very interesting. And, I appreciate your humility when someone pointed out that Tommy’s mother’s lover killed the father.

[@antonnym214]

This is a case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. Occasionally you do run into something beautiful like this that even the creator couldn't have predicted. Did Allan Collins and Ronnie Van Zant have any idea Free Bird was going to be the phenomenon it became? All good wishes to Pete and Roger, and our thoughts remain for John and Keith. (And for that matter, with the members of the original lineup of Lynyrd Skynyrd, who are all gone now. We lost the last of them, Gary Rossington in 2023, age 71.)

[@LordMondegrene]

"Pinball Wizard" was autobiographical, about a GUITAR WIZARD. How nobody saw this is baffling. The main character's life story of childhood abuse and redemption thru playing a big, shiny, noisy machine.

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

Nice theory. And possibly correct. But there is a difference between that and fact. Lots of people had no doubt that "Puff the Magic Dragon" was about smoking grass. It wasn't.

[@langreeves6419]

​@KZbinallowedmynametobestolen "what a song is about" is tricky... More than one heart ache pop song was written by someone inspired by a beloved cat they lost. Is that what the final song is about? Not really. The original inspiration for song just gets the ball rolling. As a song is written, things change. Often writers don't know themselves. And for a song to become popular, it needs purposeful vagueness. Then each one of us can find the meaning we need to find. Good ole Puff. Seems like a song about the end of childhood with its magical imagination. But, it is funny the boy's last name is Paper!

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

@@langreeves6419 I agree with everything you said, langreeves. And I believe it supports my comment. One person's interpretation is not fact. My beef is with people presenting their opinions, interpretations, and beliefs as fact.

[@langreeves6419]

@@KZbinallowedmynametobestolen i don't think i was arguing with you

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

@@langreeves6419 I didn't think you were either. Sorry if I made it sound like I did think that. :-)

[@joshpointoh]

I was introduced to Meher Baba in the 90s in high school. It was so cool to have Pete Townsend writing about him

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

And he didn't speak a word?

[@troygaspard6732]

Why it may stick out, don't forget that Tommy was a Rock opera. And the lyrics of this song are about the main character.

[@VX_XI]

The greatest live band ever 1968-1976, and the creators of some of the best albums of all time.

[@DougPagitt]

Glad to be a new Patreon supporter

[@MusicMongoose]

@@DougPagitt thanks very much!

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

I'm confused. At 4:22 he says that Meher Baba "took a vow of silence in 1925 and maintained it until his death ..." But then he says, "Townshend first came across Mayha Baba teaching in 1967, and he really resonated with his philosophy ...." So what I want to know is how this Meher Baba taught and "resonated" without breaking his vow of silence. I'm sure there's a good answer, but I'm interested to know just what it would be.

[@jeffbybee5207]

My guess he wrote a book

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

@@jeffbybee5207 Oh, that would make sense. Thanks.

[@paulperry7091]

The Kinks "Arthur" 1969 would have to be a pretty early rock opera.

[@familydogg1234]

It's Pete's creation - I couldn't " see , hear or feel" Tommy LP without " Pinball Wizard". I know he included it because of Nick Kent..I'm a Who Fan for Life.

[@apollion888]

I'm a struggling writer so all I can give is a thumbs up and appreciation for the good laugh at the Patreon joke.

[@cybersean3000]

Baba O'reilly was part of another rock opera Pete wanted to do. I hope y9u also talk about Pete and his involvement with the Marshall 100 Watt guitar amplifier.

[@MusicMongoose]

Lifehouse! You should watch my video on Baba O'Riley... It's linked at the end of this video. ☺

[@ronl7131]

Then, there is ‘Boris the Spider’

[@andyfeldman2590]

Cool, but you missed the correct samples of the “one note” Purcell theme for “I’m A Boy” and “Pinball Wizard”. The one note idea occurs in the bridge of “I’m A Boy”, while the “Pinball Wizard” one note idea occurs in the very beginning of the intro. Both samples of those songs that you play do not show off the one note idea in either song. Still, good video. Oh, you also could have mentioned “Rael” and certainly “The Who Sell Out”. While much shorter, “Rael” was a thematic peace that was likely the first extended piece (especially the demo, which goes on much longer.) And “The Who Sell Out” is a full album length piece based on pirate radio, featuring simulated radio commercials (“Heinz Baked Beans”, for one) as well as classics like “I Can See For Miles”, “Tattoo”, and “Maryanne With The Shaky Hand” as well as some other brilliant Townshend writing (and singing; think “I Can’t Reach You”, with it’s spiritual Baba theme.)

[@ChicaLocaGB]

Great video as usual, this channel is always so entertainingly informative A different album but I love Nirvana's 'Rainbow Chaser' ❤

[@MusicMongoose]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@robertewalt7789]

I saw the rock opera performed on Broadway. Much better than the Tommy movie. Both had the great music

[@robertking7269]

5 stars and an extra ball on your story

[@MusicMongoose]

I'm flattered!

[@RickRaven]

Well i feel dumb 😂 all these years I have always thought that Elton John wrote pinball wizzard 😂 I enjoy this. Haven’t seen Tommy in years. Definitely my first exposure to a rock opera.

[@weedywet]

The thing I never understand when I hear that he wrote Pinball Wizard last for the album is that that sus and resolve motif that characterizes Pinball Wizard is all over Tommy (from the overture to the how can we follow in I’m Free). And it’s there in the demos. So it’s not like he went back and added it to the album.

[@andrewharris4268]

Pinball Wizard doesn’t really belong on the Tommy album, at least stylistically. It’s a great song but sticks out like a sore thumb when you listen to the album.

[@1208bug]

New sub here, well done Sir!

[@MusicMongoose]

Much appreciated, welcome aboard! Let me know if there’s any bands or topics you’d like me to cover ☺️

[@mountart2]

Love Pete, but there is no one more full of shite then Pete in Rock 'n' Roll

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

William Campbell.

[@KenLieck]

Fans of "Tommy" should check out the Coolies' classic themed LP about a gay-bashing skinhead turned master chef, called "Doug." The 1988 masterpiece was the follow-up to their debut album of Simon & Garfunkel covers called "Dig!" (The final album of their projected trilogy, "Dung", never appeared as the band's career went to shit.) Seriously, the track "Cook Book" is the best Who pastiche this side of Roger Dull's (Neil Innes) "Concrete Jungle Boy" (which itself comes from the non-existent Australian rock opera "Pommy")...

[@nopenheimer]

So I both thank you for introducing me to "Cook book" and forever curse you for introducing me to Dig.

[@davesilver5493]

Suggest looking into getting a prompter as it is really distracting when you constantly keep looking over to your right. Enjoyed the video.

[@MusicMongoose]

It's at the top of my need-to-buy list, just above a camera with decent autofocus... please go and binge all of my videos so I can afford it!

[@patrickpowell5430]

It’s odd - throw in a useful phrase such as ‘exploring themes of’ and hey-presto, you suddenly sound serious and relevant.

[@rickpratchett6758]

That Meher Baba looks like a hippie... or vice versa...

[@jefff6167]

New subscriber here. I’ll stay as long as you don’t start using AI voices and keep your copy intelligent.

[@MusicMongoose]

@@jefff6167 no AI here my friend! Thanks for subscribing 👍

[@Foreveroutthere]

Have always liked the guitar riff. The rest of the song 4 stars and no extra ball

[@patrickhayes3099]

OK, not a scam, rather an opportistic move..... gifting maybe

[@amerikawoche8243]

Sally Simpson

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

Arfur! 🙈🙈🙈

[@JamaicaWhiteMan]

Baha Swami Daddio.

[@NewlandJ987]

TLDR

[@Mike-hr6jz]

The who is Pete Townshend, as far as the lyrics as well as the music and most of it no, all of it is boot, licking to the elites of the time Marvin was anywhere near not even close to Led Zeppelin Pink Floyd or almost anyone else at that time and that’s a fact

[@rodericde876]

I can’t listen to The Who now without thinking “Daltry eh! What a massive Brexit campaigning tvvat.” The rest of the band are/were still brilliant though.

[@lseger62]

Brexit is the new revolutionaries against the man.

[@nopenheimer]

Don't forget Pete's online "Research" that landed him on a certain registry.

[@andyfeldman2590]

@@nopenheimer I was wondering how long it would take for this subject to be brought up. And it’s valid to discuss. The facts are that Pete never accessed any images. He merely entered his credit card to check on the site’s validity. Despite the authorities confiscating all of Pete’s computers, not a single image was found, nor shown downloaded. Pete has actually been a longtime champion for child protection and children’s charities. His “crime” was entering his credit card number, nothing more. And almost immediately he realized his mistake and contacted his lawyer and legal officials.

[@loboblanco4426]

Technically meh would be 3 out of 5 stars.

[@MusicMongoose]

You're probably right about that!

[@DummyAccount-f1q]

“Music history”? You call the reason Townsend wrote “Pinball Wizard” music history? It’s pop ephemera, not “music history”. What would “Tommy” be like without “Pinball Wizard”? Slightly less silly, presumably. The Who would have had one fewer inconsequential hit. If since the “new revolution” (whatever that was supposed to represent) the world looks just the same and history ain’t changed, then a fortiori it would not have been the slightest bit affected by the absence of “Pinball Wizard”. Anyway, no one needs to watch the video. (I bothered with maybe the first ten seconds or so, then switched it off). Townshend wrote the song to flatter a fatuous rock critic in order to gain a favorable review. Amazing? Hardly. Since rocks critics know virtually nothing about music whatsoever, they usually ignore it and concentrate on the lyric. This particular pinball-enthusiast fatuous rock critic liked lyrics about pinball. Why? Because he was a fatuous and immature rock critic; that’s why. End of story.

[@MusicMongoose]

Who hurt you

[@richardfranklinmorse]

Classic rock 😂😂😂

[@stickinthemud23]

I doubt very few people were actually named “Tommy.” They were NAMED Thomas, and were CALLED Tommy.

[@MusicMongoose]

Great username

[@lucasoheyze4597]

What a terrible video

[@MusicMongoose]

Thanks for the watchtime 💰

[@lucasoheyze4597]

@MusicMongoose Whatever matters most to you, pal.

[@MusicMongoose]

@@lucasoheyze4597 Don't suppose you have any constructive criticism? I'm always looking to improve my content!

[@lucasoheyze4597]

@MusicMongoose Yes, go into songs/albums that haven't already been analysed to death a thousand times since there's nothing new to say about them...and especially since you're younger, maybe look into more recent music that hasn't already been wrapped up in received wisdoms.

[@MusicMongoose]

@@lucasoheyze4597 I don't tend to analyse/review music, I'm more interested in the history and legends surrounding bands/songs. That's what fascinates me. You should check out my channel, I do have videos on newer artists that I'm passionate about 👍

[@doctorwu1303]

He should have gone to jail for accessing a website with pictures of child pornography. His defense of writing a book was no excuse. You don’t have to go to such a sick site for book research.

[@andyfeldman2590]

Actually he never accessed any images. He merely entered his credit card to check on the site’s validity. Despite confiscating all of Pete’s computers, not a single image was found, or shown downloaded. Pete has actually been a longtime champion for child protection and children’s charities. His “crime” was entering his credit card number, nothing more. And almost immediately he realized his mistake and contacted his lawyer and legal officials.

[@citizenschallengeYT]

9:32 "I'm not sure what was going through Peter Townsands head there, ..." 🤣 'I'm sure you don't sonny.' Sorry couldn't resist, (from the HS class of '73 myself). Carry on, fun story, crazy guys, wild music, in a special moment of time like no other, thanks for telling the story.

[@c.c.lohmar]

@MusicMongoose - I like your content and I believe I have a sorry that can be interesting for you. Since I have no YT Channel, I thought to share that story with you. I won't go into details here but would like to have a wee chat with you where I explain it all. Would that be possible?

[@MusicMongoose]

@@c.c.lohmar you can find an email address in my KZbin bio 😊