Now music lovers can hear this enterprising extravaganza, produced by the late Lou Reizner, restored to its former glory on an exciting new Repertoire CD, expertly remastered with the original full colour booklet containing the storyline, lyrics and illustrations of the cast of characters.

Bringing together an orchestra, choir and assorted rock musicians and singers was a daunting task. Lou was helped by conductor David Measham and arranger Wil Malone. Reizner was an American born singer turned record producer who worked for Mercury Records in Europe. He produced Rod Stewart’s early albums and Welsh group Eyes Of Blue. Already considered a successful whiz kid, the orchestrated ‘Tommy’ was to be Lou’s crowning achievement.

The fanfare that launches the ‘Overture’ sets the tone for the rest of the stirring performances to be enjoyed on the Repertoire CD. There are many highlights, such as a choral version of ‘Fiddle About’ the strident ‘Amazing Journey’, a rousing version of ‘The Acid Queen’ by Merry Clayton and ‘Pin Ball Wizard’ by Rod Stewart. Ringo Starr’s ‘Uncle Ernie’ is pretty funny while John Entwistle as ‘Cousin Kevin’ is quite sinister.

Many other guest artists took part including Sandy Denny, Graham Bell, Stevie Winwood, Maggie Bell, and actor Richard Harris. The original double LP was released on the Ode label in 1972 and was a Christmas best seller, boosted by Rod Stewart’s ‘Wizard’ hit single. The entire performance was staged ‘live’ twice at London’s Rainbow theatre on December 9, 1972 when Peter Sellers replaced Richard Harris as ‘the doctor.’ It was staged at the Rainbow rather than the Royal Albert Hall as the Hall’s management thought ‘Tommy’ was ‘not an opera’ and had an ‘unsavoury’ subject matter.