Tommy at 50

In 1970, Chris Charlesworth joined the staff of Melody Maker—at that time, one of Britain’s leading music publications—going on to serve as news editor and American editor before leaving the paper in 1977. During this period, he became particularly close to the Who, traveling with them on tour and visiting them at their homes in a social capacity. Mike McInnerney has designed record sleeves, including the Who’s Tommy, and produced editorial illustration work for leading journals such as Britain’s Sunday Times and Nova magazine. His work is exhibited at major institutions around the world, including London’s Whitechapel Art Gallery and Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Whitney Museum, New York. Pete Townshend is best known as the guitarist and principal songwriter of the legendary British rock group the Who. He is the author of more than 100 of the group’s songs, including such classics as “My Generation” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” as well as the bulk of Tommy and all of Quadrophenia.