We Were the Mods
Pete Townshend, Phil Daniels and film director Franc Roddam look back on Quadrophenia with the people who are their modern-day mirrors.
In 1973, The Who released Quadrophrenia, an ambitious rock concept album that told the story of Jimmy, the compelling young mod struggling through the hot summer of 1964. Five years after the record release, Quadrophenia was adapted into a cult classic film. Combined, Quadrophenia defined more than one generation.
Did any of us anticipate a Quadrophenia return more than 50 years later - but this time as a ballet?
This edition of Archive on 4 compresses the many iterations and eras of Quadrophenia to consider its enduring cultural legacy. Music writer Alexis Petridis assembles conversations between the past and present - The Who's principal songwriter Pete Townshend sits down with his partner Rachel Fuller, who has orchestrated Townshend’s music for the modern era; Phil Daniels, who famously played Jimmy in the movie, meets dancer Paris Fitzpatrick, who performs the lead in the ballet; And Franc Roddam, film director, meets Rob Ashford, ballet director.
Additional Contributors:
Jeremy Gilbert, Professor of Cultural and Political Theory at the University of East London
Mark Kermode, film critic
Lias Saoudi, musician
Anna Sui, fashion designer.
Presenter: Alexis Petridis
Producer: Richard Power
Executive Producers: Jude Shapiro & Jack Howson
Mixing: Andy Fell
Extra Production: Ronnie Jones
Extra Research: Saskia Cookson
A Peanut & Crumb production for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4
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- Sat 21 Jun 2025 20:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4