Quadrophenia On The Radio: We Are the Mods
We Are The Mods: BBC Radio 4: Saturday 21st June: 8pm
A New Documentary. Pete Townshend, Phil Daniels and film director Franc Roddam look back on the Who’s 1973 concept album Quadrophenia and the 1978 movie adaptation. They are joined by their modern-day successors on a new ballet adaptation – lead dancer Paris Fitzpatrick, ballet director Rob Ashford, and Townshend’s partner Rachel Fuller, who has orchestrated the music for a new era.
In 1973, The Who released Quadrophrenia, an ambitious rock concept album that told the story of Jimmy, the compelling young mod struggling through the hot summer of 1964. Five years after the record release, Quadrophenia was adapted into a cult classic film. Combined, Quadrophenia defined more than one generation.
Did any of us anticipate a Quadrophenia return more than 50 years later – but this time as a ballet?
This edition of Archive on 4 compresses the many iterations and eras of Quadrophenia to consider its enduring cultural legacy. Music writer Alexis Petridis assembles conversations between the past and present: The Who’s principal songwriter Pete Townshend sits down with his partner Rachel Fuller, who has orchestrated Townshend’s music for the modern era; Phil Daniels, who famously played Jimmy in the movie, meets dancer Paris Fitzpatrick, who performs the lead in the ballet; And Franc Roddam, film director, meets Rob Ashford, ballet director.
