Pete Townshend - Quadrophenia The Director's Cut

Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who celebrated the re-release of Quadrophenia: The Director's Cut by performing an intimate acoustic gig at London's Bush Hall in front of 200 guests. The set list included Corrina, Corrina; Acid Queen; I'm One and Drowned. Prior to their gig, there was an hour long question and answer session featuring Pete, who ranks Quadrophenia as the 'last great Who album'.

The Who then received the Classic Rock Album Award at the Classic Rock Awards 2011 at London's Roundhouse.

Quadrophenia was released in 1979 and was based on The Who's second rock opera of the same name, which was released in 1973. (Their first rock opera, Tommy, was released in 1969 and spawned a film adaptation in 1975.) Starring Ray Winstone; Leslie Ash, Phil Daniels, and Sting Quadrophenia follows a disillusioned teen, Jimmy, who finds the things that he once idolised are now a huge let down.

Upon its release, Quadrophenia was well received by critics but the movie really belongs to British teenagers of the late 70's and early 80's. Its rebellious depiction of teenage angst and the need to be accepted still feels sharp today. Although Quadrophenia isn't a "blockbuster" movie by any stretch of the imagination its Brighton Beach fight scene and tragic ending are still truly great cinema moments.

The movie was remastered and re-released in 2006, with the inclusion of a DVD commentary by some of the film's stars.

In the accompanying footage, Pete Townshend talks about recording the album and how he feels the themes of Quadrophenia could be applied to today's teenagers in 2011.