2006, 'Iron Man', released in June 1989, was based around Ted Hughes' allegorical story of a friendship between a boy and a giant robot (later reworked for the movie The Iron Giant, on which Townshend was a producer) and dealt with the planet facing the consequences of environmental and ecological catastrophes. Two of the tracks on the album were performed by the Who, their first studio work in seven years, whilst other tracks saw collaborations with artists such as Nina Simone and John Lee Hooker. The project was destined for the theatre but it would be a further four years before it opened. It was the first time Townshend had written songs around someone else's framework.
Before the theatrical version of 'Iron Man' opened at London's Young Vic Theatre in November 1993, Townshend scored a major theatrical success on Broadway. The Who's 'Tommy' opened to ecstatic reviews at the St James Theatre on April 22 1993. Worldwide productions followed and the show garnered many awards. However, despite offers for a touring version, Iron Man never made it further than its original London run as Pete Townshend once again found himself with an increasing work load.
The Power Of Rock
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