RALEIGH — The TV theme from “Bonanza” played as three graying rockers strolled onstage, flanked by a dozen backup musicians and singers.

Meet the new Who. It’s a lot different from the old Who.

E X T R A REVIEW Veteran British rockers The Who brought their 25th-anniversary tour to Raleigh’s Carter-Finley Stadium on Thursday. In its only Carolinas stop, the band put to rest fears that they were merely going through the motions to make a buck. Sure, these guys are getting rich off the tour. But band members delivered three hours of passion-filled music and looked like they were having the time of their lives.

When the group formed in 1964, guitarist Pete Townshend, singer Roger Daltrey, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon were angry young men thrashing away at the establishment. Now in their mid-40s, the three surviving members sound a little silly singing, “Hope I die before I get old.” But there was little else silly about Thursday’s performance.

The show began with tunes from the 1969 rock opera, “Tommy.” Townshend stalked the stage strumming an acoustic guitar as Daltrey banged two tambourines together until one broke. Entwistle held down the rhythm with help from new drummer Simon Phillips.

By the time Townshend reached the “Pinball Wizard” intro, he was leaping in his trademark scissor-split and playing with undisputed power. Daltrey swung his microphone cord in giant overhead loops. Before the tour, Townshend warned that he would play only acoustic guitar because of hearing problems. But he broke his vow and played electric guitar for about half the show. A sellout crowd of more than 50,000 danced and clapped along undaunted by an hour of rain that preceded the show. The Who played all their hits, including “My Generation,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Baba O’Riley.”

The Who’s bassist John Entwistle (left) and singer Roger Daltrey perform Thursday night at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.

MARK B. SLUDER/Staff

Guitarist Steve Bolton handled much of the lead and electric guitar work for Townshend, but The Who’s pony-tailed leader contributed mightily to the sound. He even did a few windmill strokes on the guitar. Drummer Phillips did yeoman’s work recreating the manic style of famous Who drummer Keith Moon, who died in 1978 of an overdose of a drug prescribed to combat alcoholism.

Given Moon’s and Townshend’s much-publicized alcohol problems, it was more than a bit offensive to see banners for Miller beer — the tour sponsor — hanging beside the stage. If fans in the crowd were upset by this, they didn’t let on. They had come for the music, and they got it — at sound levels that didn’t even require earplugs.