Roger Daltrey, left, and Pete Townshend performed 'Quadrophenia' last Sunday night for a near-sellout crowd at the CoreStates Center, Philadelphia.

Over the last three decades, The Who have always had a very tough act to follow — themselves.

The British band that rose to fame during the 1960s was one of rock's premiere concert draws, known for flashy, energetic performances that embraced audiences with antics such as smashing guitars and kicking over drum kits.

Last Sunday night, before a near sellout crowd of 15,000-plus at the CoreStates Center in Philadelphia, it was a completely different band that performed its third reunion tour (The Who did "farewell" tours in '82 and '89). Accompanying founding members Peter Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle were Townshend's brother Simon on lead guitar; Zak Starkey (son of Ringo) on drums; two keyboardists, a percussionist and brass section. Gary Glitter and Billy Idol contributed cameo vocals.

But even with their rowdy, spunkier days behind them, Townshend, Daltrey and Entwistle easily pulled off a captivating two-hour set. With help from numerous technological devices, including three giant screens, The Who effectively conveyed the substance of its 1973 double LP "Quadrophenia," the group's second "rock opera," even if it was in a style that was undoubtedly tame for longtime fans.

A special effects-enhanced film made for the tour provided the essence of "Quadrophenia's" story. In the early 1960s, in the seaside town of Brighton, a teenager named Jimmy (who suffers from multiple personality disorder) comes of age, as conflict rages between the "Mods" and "Rockers," the Mods being middle- and upper-class teens, the "rockers" a gang of thugs. (A movie based on the story was released in 1979.)

During the show, it was Daltrey who shined. Sporting a distinctly youthful appearance, the gritty vocalist appeared in great shape physically, more than adequately handling "The Real Me," "Love Reign O'er Me" and "5:15." Although he occasionally struggled with upper octaves, Daltrey's overall performance was quite impressive. Thrusting his microphone into the air, it seemed like the fiftysomething singer was frozen in time.

Townshend, on the other hand, ran into problems. Nearly deaf from years of overexposure to loud noise, the 51-year-old guitarist who once energized audiences with his flamboyant, windmill-like guitar gestures, was far less animated. Performing with an acoustic six-string, Townshend smiled little as he played alongside brother Simon (who eloquently performed virtually all the lead guitar parts). Townshend also struggled with his voice, sounding outright hoarse on several occasions. But he managed to recharge by mid-show, bringing the house to its feet during a spirited rendition of "I'm One."

Among the guest performers, Idol amused the crowd with his wicked impression of Jimmy during "Bell Boy."

There were times when some instrumental interludes seemed to drag out the 70-minute production of "Quadrophenia," but the concert ended on a favorable note. Mostly acoustic renditions of "Won't Get Fooled Again," "Behind Blue Eyes" (both from 1971's "Who's Next"), and the 1978 single "Who Are You" made a fitting finale.

The Who went out on a limb in choosing not to rehash the same repertoire the band has cranked out for audiences for decades. It probably would have been easier to do a show of just "hits." And since "Quadrophenia" has always been overshadowed by both "Tommy" and "Who's Next" (similar to the way Beethoven's Fifth Symphony undermines the Ninth), it is unreasonable to criticize Townshend for wanting to give it life again.

— Harry Fisher