After decades as one of rock’s most infamous unrealised projects, The Who’s Lifehouse is set to finally see release as a graphic novel.
Back in 1969, The Who released their iconic concept album, Tommy. After wrapping up promotion for this record, the group turned their attention to a new project, which they called Lifehouse.
A rock opera, the record has long been one of rock’s most sought-after projects that never saw the light of day.
While Pete Townshend described the album’s concept as a “fantasy set at a time when rock ’n’ roll didn’t exist,” the group abandoned Lifehouse, instead focusing their attention on the more straightforward Who’s Next, which was unleashed in 1971.
However, it didn’t end there, with the band revisiting some ideas for their Who Are You album in 1978, a radio play in 1999, a solo Townshend album in 2000, and a mixed-media project in the mid-’00s.
Now, fans are set to get the next best thing to the unrealised record; a graphic novel.
As Variety notes, Pete Townshend has teamed up with sci-fi magazine Heavy Metal to finally release a graphic novel of Lifehouse next year.
Working alongside illustrator James Harvey, Lifehouse will be published in July of 2020, as a 150-page graphic novel based on Townshend’s screenplay and music.
“A graphic novel based on my very first 1970 concept for The Who’s abandoned Lifehouse project is perhaps the most exciting creative development in my long career,” Townshend explained. “Lifehouse always had a strong and important visual story that was never even touched on.”
“Even by 1971 when Lifehouse was written, it had to be treated as a film script, which was entirely beyond my skill set, and beyond the financial scope of The Who,” Townshend continued, referencing his early attendance of art school.
“If I had completed my art studies, instead of staying with The Who, I might have made my own graphic novels.”
“I am excited then, with huge anticipation, that at last Lifehouse can be realized visually, and as a story – part science fiction, part spiritual allegory.”
In related news, Pete Townshend recently announced the release of his debut novel, The Age Of Anxiety. With The Who also working on a new album, it’s set to be a prolific few years for the rocker.
Check out The Who’s ‘Baba O’Reily’:
