Movie / Video
Tommy is a British rock opera movie from 1975, based upon The Who's 1969 same named album. It features a star-studded cast, including the band members themselves, Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Arthur Brown and Jack Nicholson. Tina Turner plays the Acid Queen, a prostitute dealing in LSD, who sends Tommy on a wild trip.
The shooting of Tina’s part took place in London in January and she used this opportunity also for a guest appearance at Ann-Margret Olsson’s TV-Show on January 23, 1975. After a short conversation, in which they talked about the life of a performer in the music business, they performed three songs together as a duet, both dressed in jeans. Curiously, although Tina was solo in the show, she was announced as 'Ike & Tina Turner' in the opening credits.
Tina was together with Ann-Margret and Elton John (against many others) at the premiere party in New York City on March 18, 1975, held in the 57th Street subway station and participated also the press conference at Essex House in New York the next day.
Tina Turner was surprisingly reticent without spouse Ike although she is credited with the show-stopping moment in the film. „It was just horrible,“ she said of seeing herself as the Acid Queen. „I'd like to get into films, so this role meant a lot to me.“ — The Boston Globe (March 23, 1975)
Director: Ken Russell
Producer: Ken Russell, Robert Stigwood
Clothes: Shirley Russell
Release: March 1975 (Movie) / 1982 (Video) / 1994 (LaserDisc) / 1999 (DVD) / 2010 (Blu-ray)
Label: Columbia
Format: VHS, Beta, LaserDisc, DVD, Blu-ray
Time: 108 Min.
Soundtrack
Tina recorded also the song Acid Queen for the soundtrack album, which was reviewed in Billboard magazine in it’s issue from March 22, 1975. Additionally, she also released the album Acid Queen the same year with a re-recorded version of the track Acid Queen, released as a single in 1976.
- Acid Queen (Soundtrack Version) 3:49
- Acid Queen (Movie Version) 8:56
Writer: Pete Townsend
Producer: Ken Russell, Robert Stigwood
Release: March 1975
Label: Columbia
Format: Vinyl, Cassette, CD
Tommy - The Amazing Journey
is a home video and the definitive, one-of-a-kind collector's edition, celebrating the evolution of the rock opera Tommy. The journey starts with it's 1969 debut and follows to it's current legendary status. It features rare backstage footage, scenes from the Hollywood and Broadway productions and performances from rock concerts (including the most famous of Woodstock). In addition, it includes exclusive interviews with Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Elton John, Phil Collins and Tina Turner.
Producer: Eve & Maude Chilton
Release: 1993
Label: Buena Vista Pictures
Format: VHS, LaserDisc
Time: 59 Min.