In 1964, four British rockers became The Who and took the world by storm.
Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle and Keith Moon did what they wanted - whether the music industry or anyone else liked it or not.Five years later, the group released a certain innovative two-record set that would go down in history as one of the greatest rock epics of all time.
But "Tommy, The Rock Opera" was about more than just some pressed vinyl and radio airplay. The legendary narrative of a "deaf, dumb and blind kid," who played exceptional pinball gave rise to a musical sensation that has lasted some 25 years. Along the way came Ken Russell's sensory-laden film in 1975 and an award-winning 1993 stage adaptation.
Now the innovation has transferred to the digital domain of home-computing entertainment with the release of "Tommy, The Interactive Adventure."
This brilliant CD-ROM takes the user on a non-linear journeythrough all of Tommy's incarnations, brought to life through a wealth of material that brings together the album, movie and Broadway show through music, interviews, photographic images, liner notes and video clips.
Original handwritten notes by Townshend, a variety of surprise guest celebrity performances and interviews are just a taste of what is contained within the musically and visually nostalgic environment of the disc.
Insights into the meaning and inspiration behind the phenomenon are presented through CD-quality sound clips and voice-over commentaries by Townshend, Daltrey and Entwistle.
More than an hour of video and audio round out this excellent representation of one of rock 'n' roll's greatest bands offering an even greater effort. Just don't forget your earplugs and eye shades. And "you know where to put the cork."
Minimum requirements - PC: 486SX/25, Windows 3.1, 8MB RAM, 2X CD-ROM and SVGA monitor; Mac: unavailable. Suggested price: $39.99. Ages: 13 and up (strong language). Contact: Interplay Productions, (714) 553-6678; 17922 Fitch Ave., Irvine, CA 92714; or on the World Wide Web (http://www.interplay.com).