Vinyl Icons

Original LP
Tommy was released on vinyl LP in May 1969 on Track Records [613 013/4] – an independent label formed in 1967 by Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp. A limited edition version came with a six-panel trifold sleeve and included a numbered booklet with lyrics and images. The standard version booklet wasn't numbered and the sleeve was in a matt finish.

The US version was released on Decca [DXSW 7205] with a roll-fold gatefold, which opens in reverse, and a colour booklet. Sides were at first numbered for autochanger use. Tommy was re-pressed in the UK in 1973 and came with the booklet, which was also standard throughout later pressings. The 1982 Japanese release came with a sky blue and magenta obi strip [Polydor, 35MM0070/71].

Cassette Versions
The UK cassette release of Tommy came in two grey cassettes with separate inlays, as Vol 1 and Vol 2 [Track 914 624, 914 625]. In the US the two cassettes came in a snap case on Decca [732500].

The 1987 UK version on Track was a single cassette with double-play format [3526 002] while in 1989 a US version appeared as a 'Twin Pack' format, although it was single cassette [MCAC2-10005]. A 'Club' version with Dolby B/HX-Pro was also released in 1989 and bore the same catalogue number.

Reel-to-Reel/8-Track
A 7½ips reel-to-reel four-track stereo version was produced in the US in 1969, boxed with the album front cover artwork and a picture of the group on the rear. The 1969 US 8-track cartridge [6-2500], came with the legend 'Two-record rock opera featuring the smash hits "Pinball Wizard" and "I'm Free"'. The problem with this format was that it ended up with a radically different running order. But with the 1973 UK Track version [3876 001] the correct running order was preserved.

First CD
The 75m Tommy was initially released in 1983 for the UK and European markets, in 2CD format, with the discs manufactured by Polygram [800 077-2]. The US version was released the following year on MCA [MCAD2-10005].

mo-fi ultradisc
In 1990 came Mobile Fidelity's single gold Ultradisc version. This arrived with a 24-page booklet, all housed in a long transparent plastic box [UDCD 533].

Remasters
Tommy was remastered for CD in the US in 1993 by Erick Labson [MCAD-11417] while a UK version, remastered by Bob Ludwig, came along in 1996 [531 043-2]. This UK version was also remixed by Jon Astley, with some instruments brought to light that had been previously lost in the mix.

An SACD hybrid came out in the US in 2003 on Geffen/UMe/Chronicles [B0001386-36]. Remastered by Pete Townshend and remixed for 5.1 surround sound, this is a two-disc set with a full disc of 17 outtakes and demos plus a booklet [9861011].

Deluxe Editions
A 'deluxe edition' DVD-A was released on Geffen in the US in 2004 based on Townshend's remix [B0002103-19] with a video interview with Townshend.

The next 'deluxe edition' of note was a 2013 release in the US on Polydor [B0019380-02]. This was a gatefold 2CD digipak with a studio album and the Live Bootleg Album from a show recorded in 1969 in Ottawa.

Another limited edition four-disc box was released in 2013 – the 'Super Deluxe Edition'. It comprised a CD of the original album, a Blu-ray 5.1 mix, a two-channel Blu-ray audio disc, a CD of demos and outtakes to replicate the album running order, and a CD of the Ottawa album [Polydor/Track 3747396].

Audiophile Vinyl
In 2006 regular and 200g vinyl LPs appeared in the US in trifold sleeves, co-released by Track and Classic Records [both numbered 613 013]. In the UK and Europe a 180g double LP came out in 2015 on Track and Polydor – a newly remastered limited edition set [3715749].

The last regular LP pressings were remastered for UK and Europe in 2013 [3715749], and released in the US in 2014 [B0019527-01/ 3715749].