The project was conceived and produced by Lou Reizner, initially with Rod Stewart singing Roger Daltrey's main role.

It featured original artwork and photography, which used a pinball as its main motif, was designed by Tom Wilkes and Craig Braun and won the Best Album Package Grammy in 1974.

[3][4] The art was by Richard Amsel, Robert Heindel, Jim Manos, Alex Gnidziejko, Wilson McLean, Doug Johnson, David Edward Byrd, Robert Grossman, Charles White III, Richard Harvey and Mark English.

The concerts featured the Who, plus a guest cast, backed by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Measham.

In March 1973 Reizner and Measham took the concert version to Australia, performing with Keith Moon as Uncle Ernie, and a cast of Australian singers and musicians.