Preview: Music Movie Mondays – ‘Quadrophenia’
In October 1973, The Who released their ambitious 2LP set Quadrophenia. Following on from songwriter Pete Townshend’s previous conceptual/narrative works Tommy and (the aborted) Lifehouse, Quadrophenia was superior in most every way: better songwriting, more muscular arrangements, and – perhaps most significantly – a compelling story line that one could actually follow.
So it was perhaps no surprise that six years later, a film version of Quadrophenia appeared. Following the story of Jimmy, the story was set against the ‘mods vs. rockers’ scene of mid 1960s Britain. Filmed in and around Brighton, Quadrophenia is a dramatic tour de force and succeeds on many levels.
Unlike Tommy, it’s not a musical, and it features proper acting. Sting (The Police) makes a dramatic turn as Ace Face, and Toyah Willcox (today also known as the spouse of Robert Fripp) is in fine form as well.
The highly popular monthly Music Movie Mondays series at Grail Moviehouse in Asheville’s River Arts District continues with a special one-night-only screening of Quadrophenia, with a moderated discussion (led by me) to follow. May 8 at 7pm.
Tickets and more info here.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.