Look Who's Back!

By Paul Cole

Mail Pop Writer

Rock supergroup The Who stormed back into action last night — ending a seven-year silence on the UK concert stage.

Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend and John Entwistle brought their new look band to the NEC, the last UK venue they played way back in 1982.

Apart from short appearances at Bob Geldof's Live Aid and the British record industry awards, this was The Who's official UK comeback concert — and probably one of their last.

There are no plans for the band to continue next year.

Last night's three-hour set was stunning, featuring rock classics spanning the group's 25-year career. More than 11,500 fans — including ELO founder Jeff Lynne — danced, cheered and even cried in emotional homage to the world's greatest live band.

The 15-piece band raged through anthems like My Generation, What Are You? and Won't Get Fooled Again — and served up half of the Tommy rock opera too.

They returned to their roots with Bo Diddley's I'm A Man — the song they used to play in the clubs — and smash Sixties singles like Substitute, Can't Explain and I Can See For Miles.

But the highlights were stunning versions of Behind Blue Yes and Baba O'Rilley — bringing out the best in Daltrey.

Near the end of the set Townshend paid emotional tribute to original Who drummer Keith Moon, who died of an overdose.

Townshend revealed that his hearing problems — he has the hearing of a 70-year-old man — caused him trouble during the gig.

He suffers from hearing loss and tinnitus caused by years of ear splitting concerts.

He said that when Daltrey sang Twist and Shout. "The volume nearly flattened me. I was in physical pain. I had to retreat to the side of the stage."

Townshend sheltered behind a see-through glass wall across the stage, invisible to all but the front rows of the audience.

* They play the NEC again tonight, Sunday and Monday. A few tickets are available.

Pete Townshend: went behind glass screen to escape the noise.

Roger Daltrey: back in action at the NEC last night.