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Released in April 1969, was the rock opera Tommy composed by Pete Townshend and performed by The Who.

This acclaimed work was presented over two discs ( unusual at the time ) and it took the idea of thematically based albums to a much higher appreciation by both critics and the public.

It was also the first story-based concept album of the rock era ( as distinct from the song-cycle style album ) to enjoy commercial success.

The Who went on to further explorations of the concept album format with their follow-up project Lifehouse, which was abandoned before completion, and with their 1973 rock opera, Quadrophenia.