That it was billed as a farewell concert may have drawn some of the 17,000 people to the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Coliseum last night. But as soon as The Who took the stage it was obvious the show was much more than historic.

From the opening strains of the band’s signature anthem “My Generation” through “Teenage Wasteland,” “Sister Disco” and “I Can See for Miles” they rivaled The Rolling Stones for the title of world’s greatest rock ’n’ roll band.

An odd assortment of females in designer jeans and mop top lads barely old enough to shave were there to greet them.

Most of the few people over 30 present seemed to be either on the coliseum payroll or on stage.

Yet the band played as loudly as a group of 20-year-olds.

Just after 9:30, guitarist Pete Townshend bounded on stage. Dressed in baggy pants and white baggy shirt, he had the movements of a young boxer warming up for a fight.

Lead singer Roger Daltrey shed his leather jacket to play guitar as dozens of colored spotlights focused on the audience.

Bassist John Entwistle played contentedly off to the side of the stage as Daltrey repeatedly swung his microphone and Townshend did jumping jacks beside him.

In the audience, hardly a foot was still as Daltrey screamed the lyrics to “Face Dances.” The band did a few tunes from “Tommy” as the crowd screamed and some raised cigarette lighters into the air.

Signs welcoming the band were held up by fans in the balcony. Other signs were hung along railings.

Among the messages was a reminder from Shlitz Brewing Co. that it is underwriting The Who’s tour in exchange for having its name on tickets and other promotional material.

Townshend, who once posed on an album cover in a tub of pork and beans in a statement against capitalism, has finally sold out.

But nobody seemed to care, perhaps because most present weren’t old enough to remember when Townshend eschewed commercialism more than 15 years ago.

Opening act was The Rockets, a five man band from Detroit made up of former members of Mitch Ryder’s Detroit Wheels. They played basic Rhythm and Blues with little response from the audience, which seemed more concerned with stocking up on The Who souvenirs.

Business was brisk at stands selling T-shirts priced at $10 and $14 as well as baseball caps, buttons and programs.

By Michael McMullan

Roger Daltrey, Peter Townshend harmonize during The Who concert at civic center