Album #3:
The Who Sell Out
Sometime between 1967 and 1968, The Who stopped being a pop group and became arguably Britain's first Rock band. It's a transition that few of their contemporaries were able to make, and the two likeliest subjects – The Beatles and The Stones – had problems making the shift. The Beatles were no longer performing live, and a live performance was a pre-requisite of being a rock band. The Stone, meanwhile, were grounded by drug busts, and Brian Jones' inability to cut it on the stage. The Who, who had always been in the bronze medal position in the 60's pop Olympics shot through the gap and for three years were the greatest of Britain's rock bands, and without doubt the best live act in the world
They had pioneered the concept of rock touring and performance, ushering in an era that still exists today. Because of the tours by The Who in this period, no longer would groups play in 'package tours' where they would play the hits for 20 minutes and then retire for the rest of the evening. From now on, the headline bands would be expected to play for at least an hour, offering songs from the albums and back catalogue, performing loudly and in a manner that enhanced the original recordings either through sheer volume or musical virtuosity...or even both!
All this occurred following the release of the bands first pop-art masterpiece concept album. Largely overlooked at the time, but now a reference point for many bands, the band (and Pete in particular) embraced outside influences like acid rock and surrealism that gave the songs a far surer touch than those on the previous album. Nevertheless, they managed to keep their own identity partly because Keith had now confirmed his position as the most expressive drummer in rock and John was the most fluid bass guitarist but mainly due to Pete's songwriting abilities and the way they all sang harmonies together
Released on December 15th, 1967, '
The Who Sell Out' is a concept album. Unlike later releases which will be used to tell a story, 'The Who Sell Out' is presented as a pirate radio show with adverts being played between the songs. Manager Chris Stamp tried to interest advertisers in paying for the adverts inserted by The Who on the record but with only 50,000 copies of the album expected to be printed, none of the companies would buy
The cover is divided into panels, each one featuring a humourous advert involving a band member. On the front, Pete is applying Odorono brand deodorant from an oversized stick, while Roger is sitting in a bathtub full of Heinz baked beans (holding an oversized tin can of the same)
On the back, Keith is applying Medac (a fictitious acne ointment) from an oversized tube, and John is in a leopard-skin Tarzan suit, squeezing a blonde woman in a leopard-skin bikini with one arm and a teddy bear with the other, spoofing the famous Charles Atlas bodybuilding course
1/13: Album opener '
Armenia City On The Sky', was written by John 'Speedy' Keene, who was the vocalist, drummer and keyboard player with the band Thunderclap Newman, best remembered for the no. 1 single '
Something In The Air' which was produced by Pete
The song, a dense acid-tinged rocker with Roger at the top of his vocal range, is a space-age grunge tune 30 years ahead of its time! Pete's solo, with electronic 'whooping' effects, backward tapes and a thick organ sound is unlike anything else on the album
"If you're troubled and you can't relax
Close your eyes and think of this
If the rumors floating in your head all turn to facts
Close your eyes and think of this
Armenia, city in the sky
Armenia, city in the sky
If you ever want to lose some time
Just take off, there's no risk
If you ever want to disappear
Just take off, and think of this
Armenia, city in the sky
Armenia, city in the sky
The sky is glass, the sea is brown
And everyone is upside-down
Armenia, city in the sky
Armenia, city in the sky
Freak out!
Freak out!"
2/13: The second track on the album is a throwaway joke advert for '
Heinz Baked Beans' written by John and featuring John, Keith and Pete on spoken vocals
"One, two, three, four!
What's for tea, Mum?
What's for tea, darling?
Darling, I said "what's for tea?"
What's for tea, daughter?
Heinz baked beans"