Tommy Tour

Tommy Tour
Tour by The Who
A tour book for the band's December 1969 English shows, featuring lyrics from "Welcome"
Location
  • Europe
  • North America
Associated albumTommy
Start date9 May 1969 (1969-05-09)[a]
End date20 December 1970 (1970-12-20)
Legs6
No. of shows
  • 91 in North America
  • 73 in Europe[a]
  • 187 in total
The Who concert chronology
  • The Who Sell Out Tour
    (1967–1968)
  • Tommy Tour
    (1969–1970)
  • Who's Next Tour
    (1971–1972)

The Tommy Tour was a concert tour by the English rock band the Who. It was in support of their fourth album, the rock opera Tommy (1969), and consisted of concerts split between North America and Europe. Following a press reception gig, the tour officially began on 9 May 1969 and ended on 20 December 1970. The set list featured the majority of the songs from Tommy, as well as originals and covers.

After multiple rehearsals and warm-up gigs, the band played a private show at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London in early May 1969 intended to preview Tommy to the press. Subsequently, the band toured North America playing the new album, which was well received by audiences. Following a UK tour, the band played the Tanglewood Music Shed and the Woodstock festival. After Woodstock, the band headlined the second Isle of Wight festival and played Tommy at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, one of the world's forefront opera houses. The band continued to tour North America, emphasized by eight shows done over the course of six days at the Fillmore East in New York City. The Who ended 1969 with tour of Europe that continued into 1970, including a show at the London Coliseum on 14 December, which was filmed for a possible future Tommy film.

The group began 1970 by bringing Tommy to various European opera houses. During their tour, the critically acclaimed live album Live at Leeds was recorded during a show at the University of Leeds Refectory, Leeds. After the European tour wrapped up, the band returned to the United States for a tour, starting with two shows at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City in June. Following the tour, the band played several concerts in Europe, including a headlining appearance at the third Isle of Wight festival in August. The band ended the Tommy Tour with a benefit concert at the Roundhouse in London.

  1. ^ Neill & Kent 2002, pp. 156–157


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