In the liner notes for the Who's 1974 rarities collection Odds & Sods, guitarist and lead songwriter Pete Townshend said, "I had an idea once for a new album about the history of The Who called Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock.
The sessions for the album spanned from 19 May to 6 June at Olympic Studios in London.
Proposed track listings, created by the band during the 1972 sessions for the album, are in existence.
In addition, a tape of Pete Townshend's demos for the album was compiled.
It was originally intended to be released online in conjunction with the Quadrophenia box set, but was later omitted.