Photos by Ad Crable/NEW ERA

Pete Townshend, ever-animated lead guitarist of The Who, high-steps during a show at Hersheypark Stadium Monday.

The Who Rocks

Legendary band wows 26,000 fans at Hersheypark

By Ad Crable

New Era Staff Writer

HERSHEY — Any doubts about whether The Who, an aging rock ’n’ roll band cut in half by drug overdoses, should be performing songs from another generation were quickly blown out of Hersheypark Stadium Monday with the first windmill power strum of Pete Townshend’s abused Fender guitar.

Meet the new band, almost the same as the old band.

There were no smashed guitars or drum sets, but it was an intense, explosive performance that riveted some 26,000 fans as eclectic as you’ll see at a rock concert.

Dressed in monochromatic black, a graying Townshend defied his 57 years by unleashing a nonstop fury of licks and moves that was surely as well executed as in the prime days of the legendary group.

He prowled the stage, grimaced as he wrung beauty from the neck of his red guitar, nearly windmilled himself off the stage and even ended several songs with his patented jump kick.

Please see WHO page B2

The Who lead singer Roger Daltrey sings for the first time in Hershey.

Talkin ’bout our generations

By JEFF RICE

New Era Staff Writer

HERSHEY — As is usually the case, I was a little anxious when my ather left the house wearing his Bermuda shirt.

But as it turned out, where we were going, he fit right in.

At 51 and 21, my old man and I were two of the some 26,000 people, of various ages and wardrobes, that came out to Hersheypark Stadium to see The Who on Monday night.

That’s right, I went to a concert with my dad. And I was far from the only one.

Back in May, when he offered me a ticket, I figured it would be a unique experience watching “his generation” performing at a rock concert.

I was curious, to say the least, to see how the people who preach to my generation about maturity, responsibility and good manners would act in a venue that, well, discourages all that.

I wasn’t disappointed, The “old fogies” as I affectionately refer to my father and his contemporaries — which included former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, who opened the show were ready to rock ’n’ roll.

Please see TALKIN page B2