One UWS professor’s dream of putting on a rock concert became reality Thursday night in front of Old Main when over 300 people gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of The Who’s album “Tommy.”

“I have had a dream of doing this for many years. The idea was hatched two years ago and we started seriously planning for it last spring,” said Dr. Joel Sipress,     and lead guitarist of the group that performed the entire “Tommy” album.

He was joined on the make shift stage by Dr. Erin Aldridge – vocals, keyboard, and electric violin; Brett Jones – vocals and drum set; Chancellor Julius Erlenbach – french horn; Greg Kehl Moore – bass guitar; as well as vocalists Tanya Moore, Betsy Gregg, Chris Nollet, and Amy Eichers. Mark Spitzer compiled and set up the stage backdrop that had a slide show of pictures of The Who and occasional song lyrics.

Sipress said the group got together and practiced about ten times.

And it paid off. UWS senior Brian Freseman is an avid fan of The Who. Freseman has seen the group in concert and was impressed by what UWS faculty and staff produced.

“I thought it was really good. He [Sipress] played really well on the guitar,” said Freseman.

Senior piano performance and choral music education student Kate Olaf enjoyed watching and listening to her professors let loose.

“It’s definitely a twist on the classical style that we usually see from them,” she said. “It was cool to see that they’re open to all kinds of music, not just 1700s stuff.”

Students, faculty, staff, and community members lounged in lawn chairs, sprawled out on blankets, or stood near the back of the crowd for the hour and a half show.

Sipress was pleased with the turn out and the atmosphere of the whole night. The personal significance of the event and of paying tribute to an album that is near and dear to his heart was difficult to put into words.

“It is hard to explain. People who get it, just get it,” said Sipress, beaming with pride as fans walked up to shake his hand.