'Tommy' Director Ken Russell Dead at 84

Directory Ken Russell on the set of the film version of The Who's 'Tommy' in England.

Fotos International/Archive Photos/Getty Images

British filmmaker Ken Russell, who directed the film version of the Who's Tommy, has died after a series of strokes. He was 84.

Russell's long, provocative career featured recurrent themes including sexuality, the Catholic church and the flamboyant lives of classical composers (such as Lisztomania, which starred the Who's Roger Daltrey). In 1969 he was nominated for an Academy Award for Women in Love, his racy adaptation of the D.H. Lawrence novel.

Tommy, released in 1975, featured an all-star cast including Daltrey, Elton John, Tina Turner and Jack Nicholson. Based on the Who's 1969 rock opera of the same name, the film earned Pete Townshend an Oscar nomination for its score.  

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

More Song Stories entries »

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