Sam Morris/Associated Press photos Roger Daltrey, left, and Pete Townsend of the Who open their 25th anniversary edition of their rock opus "Quadrophenia," Saturday, Oct. 19, 1996, in San Jose, Calif.

The other ROCK OPERA The Who tours with a mission to bring 'Quadrophenia' to new light

By Gary Graff

"Quadrophenia."

For many rock fans, it's The Who's other rock opera.

"Tommy" has the movie with Jack Nicholson and Ann-Margret, the Tony Award-winning Broadway extravaganza, the CD-ROM. "Quadrophenia" has, well, the movie — and no stars unless you count an as-yet unheard-of Sting.

Now the surviving members of The Who are on a mission to boost "Quadrophenia's" place in the rock 'n' roll pantheon. They performed it during the summer at a charity concert in London and during a six-night run at New York's Madison Square Garden.

And now they're trotting it across North America, complete with a large band, an elaborate multimedia stage show and guest stars Billy Idol and Gary Glitter. The tour stops Friday in Pittsburgh for a performance at the Civic Arena.

"It's a work in progress," says singer Roger Daltrey, who's joining former Who mates Pete Townshend and John Entwistle (drummer Keith Moon died in 1978) in the endeavor. "I feel 'Quadrophenia' is very much … a piece of rock 'n' roll theater that really works in arenas."

On the other hand is Townshend who, after the Tony-winning triumph of "Tommy's" Broadway adaptation, says he "very much wants to turn 'Quadrophenia' into a theatrical property." He's currently in his fourth rewrite of a script, with ideas ranging from another show for the Great White Way to more of a rock 'n' roll-style touring production that wouldn't require his involvement or The Who moniker.

In fact, Townshend, 51, is quick to point out that the current tour isn't a Who reunion. "It's a Who thing," he says, laughing.

Whatever its future, it was clear to Townshend, Daltrey and Entwistle that "Quadrophenia" had to be tweaked and refined somewhat to accommodate its present incarnation. While "Tommy's" narrative is relatively easy to track — a boy turns deaf, dumb and blind after witnessing the murder of his father and becomes a messianic figure after he's cured — "Quadrophenia" is, as Townshend acknowledges, "a bit more internal … and rooted in experiences that were very much mine and people of my age."

The piece isn't driven by plot as much as it is a character study of a teen-ager named Jimmy who, under Townshend's construction, has developed a four-sided personality. "It's basically about a kid who has a really, really bad day, and all of the things that are attendant to that," Townshend explains.

In its original form, "Quadrophenia" also ruminated on the battles of Britain's Mod and Rocker gangs during the mid-'60s. The Mods — of which Jimmy is a part — were early fans of The Who's music.

It's an elaborate concept and a bit hard for those outside Britain to fully grasp. But Daltrey says the underlying metaphor is actually quite simple; "It's about a young adolescent trying to deal with the pieces of his personality. It's about immaturity and maturing."

In short, it smells like teen spirit. To make that clear, the "Quadrophenia" concert includes a narrator (on tape) and film footage — some of it from the 1979 movie version, some of it freshly shot and directed by Daltrey.

The story is clearer now — much more about Jimmy than it was before," Daltrey, 52, says. " 'Quadrophenia' always had a narrative, but there were areas that I think needed clarifying. What you've got now does end up telling you a lot about the central character named Jimmy."

Glitter, who trades vocals with Daltrey during the song "The Punk Meets the Godfather," agrees. "It's one of those wonderful stories that, when it is slightly clearer, is pertinent to everybody's lives," says Glitter, who's touched lots of lives himself via his ubiquitous sporting event anthem "Rock and Roll, Pt. 2."

"I think the album is even more pertinent today. I think it's a more important message now than when it first came out."

But Daltrey says the real joy of bringing "Quadrophenia" on the road isn't just creating a clearer story. "The pleasure for me is working with Pete," the singer says. "When we work well together, there's a chemistry that's magical. No amount of success or ticket sales or anything can match that feeling.

"I've always enjoyed the working side of our relationship. When we work together, it's great. When we're not working, that's when it's not so good."

And there's the subtext of the "Quadrophenia" tour. In the years since The Who's 1982 farewell tour (there was a 1989 road trip to play "Tommy"), Daltrey has made no secret of his desire for The Who to re-activate. In 1994, he and Entwistle even toured with a show that paid tribute to Townshend's songs.

The current tour also fills out the evening with a selection of Who favorites, including an acoustic rendition of "Won't Get Fooled Again."

Townshend, on the other hand, says he's more interested in other avenues — particularly musical theater, including adaptations of his solo concept albums "The Iron Man" and "Psychodeliceteria."

"Lately, most of the things I've been doing have been rooted in the past," he says. "I just think it's because rock 'n' roll is, for me, an artistic process. I think an artist has to constantly re-evaluate and redefine … what is his commission. I'm looking for what happens next in the same creative continuum."

Which means, he adds, that "what I'm not gonna do is tour with The Who."

And what Daltrey says he won't do is be involved with any sort of Broadway-ization of "Quadrophenia." He's critical of the "Tommy" stage play, charging that "there were too many compromises" from the original rock opera.

Townshend tries to take "Quadrophenia" in that direction, Daltrey says, "I'll drop out. I want it to be rock 'n' roll. Pete is more Broadway oriented. I don't think this can be made into a Broadway show …. I'd like (Townshend) to prove me wrong.

"I'm trying to help (Townshend) realize he's dreaming. But if he takes it there, then fine. It will be a pleasure to have helped him do that."

Gary Graff is a Squirrel Hill native and former Post-Gazette intern who now lives in suburban Detroit. He is the editor of "MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide" (Visible Ink Press, $24.95).

'Tommy' or 'Quadrophenia'?

Where some rockers stand

There's "Tommy," and there's "Quadrophenia." One is from '69, the other's from '73. Most rock fans prefer one of The Who's rock operas over the other, and their choice is usually a passionate one.

Here's where other rock 'n' rollers fall in the great debate:

Slash, Guns N' Roses: "I'm more of a 'Tommy' guy. I probably listen to 'Tommy' more, and it was more of an influence on me. I must have seen the movie six million times, too."

Billy Gibbons, ZZ Top: "I'd probably go with 'Quadrophenia.' I think it was a little more developed. It just seemed like a more esoteric subject, which I liked."

Neil Peart, Rush: "Both, really. 'Tommy' hit me at a particular time of my life when other people's music was more important to me, just because I was 18 years old. By the time 'Quadrophenia' came out, I was in my 20s and rock music was not quite the center of my universe. But I think they're both brilliant pieces of work."

Bob Mould: "I think 'Tommy,' cause that one stuck with me more as a kid. It was something I listened to all the time. 'Quadrophenia' was a little heavy. I wouldn't have got what it was about back then. 'Tommy' made more sense. I like 'em both now, though."

Mike Peters, formerly of The Alarm: "Totally 'Quadrophenia.' I absolutely adore it. I bought that album the day I bought my first amplifier to go with my guitar. I always thought the album was underrated (cause everyone sort of slagged it off when it came out). I bought it just because it was such a great package, with the 40-page book and all. But the music just blew me away."

Marshall Crenshaw: "I don't like 'Tommy.' I don't like 'Quadrophenia.' But I love the first three Who albums. I loved The Who when it was a singles band, smashing their guitars and stuff. As soon as they got into their self-serious phase, I bailed on them right away."

Chris Frantz, The Heads: "I guess I'm more of a 'Tommy' guy 'cause that came way before. We were talking the other night about how amazing those times were, when you'd get an album like 'Sgt. Pepper' and, not long afterward, something like 'Tommy' and all the other concept albums that were around at the same time. It was an amazing album just because of its ambitiousness. We were thinking those people must've been taking a lot of speed. They probably were, too."

John Power, Cast: "I love 'Quadrophenia.' I just love the whole feel of it 1 the expression, the spirituality."

Louie Perez, Los Lobos: "'Tommy,' definitely. I'm not a 'Quadrophenia' guy at all."

Gary Graff

MUSIC PREVIEW

'Quadrophenia'

Where: Civic Arena When: 7:30 p.m. Friday Tickets: $40 and $65; 323-1919