Tom Wright was born in Alabama in 1944. In the early 1960s, he studied photography at
England's Ealing Art School, where he met Pete Townshend, founder of the rock group
The Who. Wright became The Who's official photographer in 1967 and chronicled the
group's development, including their farewell tour (1991). From 1967 to 1969, he
managed the Grande Ballroom in Detroit, Michigan, where The Who's rock opera
The Tom Wright Papers, 1964-1994, include concert tour information such as itineraries and financial records; The Who magazine covers and stories, programs, tour kit, and book; Pete Townshend press kit; biographical articles; personal papers; correspondence; clippings; sound recordings; and separated artifacts. The papers document the John David Souther concert tour, 1976, and The Who’s press coverage and tours, 1977-1993, including inscribed books. Furthermore, the papers include clippings pertaining to Elvis Costello, Rod Stewart and Faces, and photography and photographers. A special item of note is an oral history cassette tape, “Townshend about pictures,” with transcription.
Unrestricted access.
Use of audio materials by appointment only; please contact sound archivist.
Due to the fragility of original magazines and clippings, the photocopies should be used and the originals are restricted.
Photographs copyright Tom Wright.
Tom Wright Papers, 1964-1994, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.
See also
Some material has been separated to the Artifact Collection.
Processed by Connie M. Hoxie, July 1994.
Basic processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with funds from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the Briscoe Center’s