MP3 of the Day

Christopher "Kit" Lambert, the producer and manager for The Who died on this day in 1981. Far more influential than many realize, Kit Lambert played a key role in shaping the sound and image of The Who. It was Lambert who suggested Pete Townshend's trademark "windmill" strumming style. Always capable of understanding the minds of the youth culture, Lambert convinced Townshend to write about deeper issues than the typical boy-meets-girl fare, and to produce a more mature sound. This encouraged The Who to progress from the more quirky sound of The Who Sell Out to the deeper themes of Tommy. Pete Townshend has acknowledged that it was Lambert who influenced The Who to combine rock music and opera with the rock/opera Tommy as the result. The Who's success led to differences between Lambert and the group. He was replaced as their producer in 1971, and went on to produce some early punk bands. On the night of his death Lambert was seen drinking heavily at a popular nightclub in Kensington. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage after falling down the stairs of his mother's house. He is buried in Brompton Cemetery in London. Today's MP3 is Not Today by AFRAID OF STAIRS.