If grass could sing, “See me, feel me, touch me” are lyrics that the tenants of San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium—the Chargers, Padres and Aztecs—wish could be reserved only for them.

But in a publicly owned stadium, the sports teams have to share. And Tuesday night, the field was reserved for the legendary British band The Who, whose last visit to San Diego marked the beginning of an unofficial six-year ban on rock concerts at the stadium.

On that night in 1983, the field lay exposed to thousands of rowdy fans, who danced and pranced on its tender grass. Afterward, Don Coryell, then the coach of the Chargers, said it was the worst playing field he had seen in several decades of coaching.

The ’83 show was also a security nightmare. Dozens of people were arrested and dozens more taken to hospitals with major and minor injuries.

Tuesday night much had changed, although the San Diego Police Department reported more than 50 arrests, mostly for drunk-and-disorderly conduct. Paramedics and nurses working the first-aid stations said it was actually a slow night for them, in contrast to the turmoil of both The Who’s ’83 show and an appearance by the Rolling Stones in 1981. (By 10:15 p.m., only four people had been taken to hospitals—with minor injuries.)

And the key factor—did the city make money or not?—may have been revealed at the gate. A spokes-

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