The Who performing Tommy
October 1969, Fillmore East
Artwork by David Byrd

The Who came to the Fillmore East for six nights in October and performed their rock opera, Tommy, in full for the first time in the United States. Bill Graham gave Joshua White and his team $5000 from the profits of the already sold-out concerts to develop a spectacular light show to accompany the debut. On the Who’s first night, David LaFlamme said, “No one heard a word [the opening band] sang because they wouldn’t stop screaming ‘Tommy! Tommy!’” David Byrd, resident poster artist for the Fillmore East, crafted a very British meets psychedelic image to promote the high profile event.

View the Rock Art Rock Gallery

See more artwork by David Byrd