Pete Townshend explains the origin of The Who and his rock opera Tommy

On a rare Tonight Show appearance, Pete Townshend recalled how rock critic Nik Cohn played a key role in the pinball wizard idea.

Anna Calvi shares "Ain't No Grave" from Peaky Blinders-inspired Tommy EP

Anna Calvi collaborated with on the score for Peaky Blinders' final season with director Anthony Byrne. Listen to "Ain't No Grave"

Here's the scoop from Peaky Blinders...

Anna Calvi, the artist and composer behind the music of series five and six of Peaky Blinders, has shared her new single ‘Ain’t No Grave’ today. It’s been featured in the show since series 5, so you will know it already. Her new EP entitled Tommy, with four songs inspired by the series, is out next month on May 6th, and includes a cover of Red Right Hand, the iconic Peaky Blinders anthem.

A message from Anna:

"Peaky Blinders is really all about the psychology of Tommy Shelby. As such I always felt he should have an original song that sums him up - he’s the ultimate anti-hero - murderous, cold, terrifying, and yet has a deep love for his family and a naive childlike hope that he will one day rise above it all and be happy. I wanted to portray how he believes he is infallible to the point of godliness, and the lyrics “there ain’t no grave, can hold my body down” fit him perfectly. The song is all about destiny - it rolls forward and even Tommy doesn’t have the power to stop it. All the songs on this EP are trying to encapsulate the contradictions of this fascinating and enigmatic character. I’ve been in the mind of Tommy Shelby for years now, and this EP is a love letter to him, and my way to say goodbye to this iconic show." 

– Anna 🖤

 

Lykke Li vs. Lill Lindfors

Lykke Li covered Lill Lindfors' Du är den ende for the Swedish thriller Tommy. She's at the Kool Haus tonight.