Episode 42: Rock Operas of the 70s
PLAY LIST
Fantasia Upon One Note by Henry Purcell (1680)
Pinball Wizard by Elton John (1975)
Reign O’er Me by The Who (1973)
Band on the Run by Paul McCartney and Wings (1973)
Paradise by the Dashboard Light by Meatloaf (1978)
Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd (1979)
SUMMARY
What is an opera? A story, complete with characters and plot, told entirely through song. Of course this is traditionally done with classical music, but the rock operas of the 70s proved that rock could also be a vehicle for these dramatic stories. Like rock music itself, the theme of many of these rock operas tended to center on the angst and desires of youth, producing classic rock operas such as “Quadrophenia” and “Bat Out of Hell.”
SOURCES
“Another Brick In The Wall (part II) by Pink Floyd.” n.d. Songfacts. Accessed February 2, 2023. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/pink-floyd/another-brick-in-the-wall-part-ii.
Bangs, Lester. 2014. Psychotic Reactions & Carburetor Dung. Edited by Greil Marcus. N.p.: Serpent's Tail.
Breihan, Tom. 2020. “The Number Ones: Pink Floyd's “Another Brick In The Wall (Part II).”” Stereogum. https://www.stereogum.com/2077211/the-number-ones-pink-floyds-another-brick-in-the-wall-part-ii/columns/the-number-ones/.
Fertel, Rien. 2018. Drive-By Truckers’ Southern Rock Opera. N.p.: Bloomsbury Academic.
Gaines, Steven. “What’s All This Tommy Rot?” Daily News (New York.) March 16, 1975.
Jones, Ed. "Pink Floyd: Empire Pool, Wembley". The Spectator (1977). Pink Floyd. Rock's Backpages. Accessed December 21, 2022. http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/pink-floyd-empire-pool-wembley-2.
“Love, Reign O'er Me by The Who.” n.d. Songfacts. Accessed January 19, 2023. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-who/love-reign-oer-me.
“Love, Reign O'er Me by The Who.” n.d. Songfacts. Accessed February 2, 2023. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-who/love-reign-oer-me.
Marsh, Dave. “Bat Out of Hell.” Rolling Stone. December 15, 1977.
Murphy, Sean. n.d. “The Past Is Calling: Reconsidering The Who’s ‘Quadrophenia.’” PopMatters. Accessed January 17, 2023. https://www.popmatters.com/151735-the-past-is-calling-reconsidering-the-whos-quadrophenia-2495914029.html.
“Paul McCartney Band on the Run BBC Documentary classic albums.” 2021. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9dEqN-dQtY.
“Pinball Wizard by The Who.” n.d. Songfacts. Accessed February 2, 2023. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-who/pinball-wizard.
“Quadrophenia is Peak of Rock and Roll.” The Atlanta Constitution. November 7, 1973.
Reed, Ryan. 2015. “Hear Pete Townshend's Orchestral 'Love, Reign O'er Me.'” Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-pete-townshends-orchestral-remake-of-the-whos-love-reign-oer-me-55485/.
“The Who's Pete Townshend Shares the Story Behind "Pinball Wizard."” 2021. Guitar World. https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/acoustic-nation-whos-pete-townshend-shares-story-behind-pinball-wizard.
“The Who's Roger Daltrey On The Making Of 'Tommy.'” 2019. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prvGQD1bq6U.
“They’re Taking Off Like a Bat Out of…” The Star-Phoenix (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.) July 29, 1978