It's the most obvious cry in rock history. Townsend was most obviously molested by an uncle and shut himself off to the world. There. That's the "inspiration" for "Tommy" a name as common back then as Peter. Oh, and the "pinball wizard" was him turning to the guitar as a means of escape. Townsend was decent enough at creating catchy riffs back in the 60's , but he wasn't up against a ton of quality competition. Their gimmick (just play louder) was why the who made a success of themselves. They latched onto a marketing gimmick and used it in place of talent. The talent came later on, through constant playing though and spiritual meditation (Townsend traveled to the east for some wisdom...likely trying to understand why he was a victim, why a family member could do that to him, and what kind of sick perversions would propel a grown man to do that to a child. For some fucked up reason, the western people are always convinced the east has the answers to everything with 'spiritualism' or some other bullshit. Anyways, on one trip he thought he found the 'answers to life" through some faggot named Meher Baba ...a fruitcake who thought he was God. Not a god. He thought he was God the creator himself. (The inspiration behind "Baba O'Riley") that trip had left with Townsend writing the greatest rock song of all time (Won't get fooled again) even though 99% of people don't grasp the cycles that has it constantly being relevant. They just want something to tap their toes to, or play in the background while they ignore it and talk to girls/guys instead. I read his autobiography a while (probably 20 years now) ago.