The Who will release Quadrophenia: The Director’s Cut Box Set in November 2011, with Pete Townshend calling Quadrophenia The Who album he’s most proud of. The rock opera follows the story of Jimmy, a young mod, and his struggle to come of age in the mid-1960s. The story also takes its influence from the band’s early fans from the original mod era, and its themes of teenage angst and disaffection still resonate strongly today.
One of the most popular albums of The Who’s discography, Quadrophenia reflected the four characters of The Who and contains some of Townshend’s best and most personal songwriting.
“This 2011 revisit to The Who’s 1973 Quadrophenia recording is inspired by current and continuing interest in the project,” explained Townshend. “The Who performed a concert version of the piece at the Royal Albert Hall in 2010 for the Teenage Cancer Trust with excellent reviews, and the success of that event led to the prospect of a Who tour in 2012 based on the album. The last such tour was between 1996-1997.”
Universal Music Enterprises is planning a November release of the box set which will include a remaster of the original double album, Pete Townshend’s previously unheard demos including songs that didn’t make it onto the original album, an exclusive eight-track 5.1 sound DVD, a deluxe hardback book, previously unseen personal notes, photographs, memorabilia as well as other material still to be announced.
