The 1976 compilation The Story of the Who will be reissued on vinyl later this year. This version of the 2LP collection—which many regard as the most complete “Best Of” album for The Who—features a recreation of the original 8-page booklet and has been pressed on colored vinyl (pink and green).
It was mastered by longtime Who engineer Jon Astley and cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road. The album was previously released for Record Store Day 2024, marking its first official US release as well as its first global vinyl release since 1989.
The Story of the Who was originally released in the UK by Polydor on September 24, 1976. The two-disc vinyl compilation reached No. 2 in the UK album charts. It was promoted frequently in the UK via a television commercial created by the advertising agency McCann-Erickson featuring the exploding pinball machine that appears on the album’s cover and a voice-over from legendary BBC DJ John Peel.
1976 compilation that’s never been officially released in the US, and hasn’t been globally available on vinyl since 1989. Sometimes regarded as the most complete Who ‘Best Of,’ this version, with a replica of the original 8-page booklet and pressed on colored vinyl (pink and green) was mastered by longtime Who engineer Jon Astley and cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road.
The Story of the Who features songs from across the band’s pre-1976 discography and includes tracks from the albums My Generation, A Quick One, The Who Sell Out, Tommy, Who’s Next, and The Who By Numbers, as well as singles that previously appeared on the 1971 compilation Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy and a cover of Eddie Cochran “Summertime Blues.”
The Who recently announced the world premiere of Quadrophenia, A Mod Ballet, based on their 1973 multi-million album of the same name, written by Pete Townshend. In 2025, the production will tour Plymouth Theatre Royal, Edinburgh Festival Theatre and the Mayflower in Southampton before having its official opening at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London, which will begin on June 24 and last until July 13. It will also visit The Lowry in Salford in 2025.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, The Who released half speed mastered versions of Quadrophenia and The Who By Numbers.
Order The Story of the Who on vinyl now.
The Who By Numbers is the seventh studio album by The Who, produced by Glyn Johns and released in October 1975.
A powerhouse record, the album reached Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. The album includes songs such as ‘Slip Kid’, ‘Squeeze Box’ and ‘Imagine A Man’. The opening photo is a composition by our graphic team.
Tracklist
A1. Magic Bus
A2. Substitute
A3. Boris The Spider
A4. Run, Run, Run
A5. I'm A Boy
A6. Heat Wave
A7. My Generation
B1. Pictures Of Lily
B2. Happy Jack
B3. The Seeker
B4. I Can See for Miles
B5. Bargain
B6. Squeeze Box
C1. Amazing Journey
C2. The Acid Queen
C3. Do You Think It's Alright?
C4. Fiddle About
C5. Pinball Wizard
C6. I'm Free
C7. Tommy's Holiday Camp
C8. We're Not Gonna Take It
D1. Summertime Blues
D2. Baba O'Riley
D3. Behind Blue Eyes
D4. Slip Kid
D5. Won't Get Fooled Again
