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In the band's first appearance here since the death of drummer Keith Moon, the Who showed renewed vitality and purpose. Kenny Jones, the new drummer, fits in well, and both Daltrey and Townshend (his right hand bandaged to protect a finger injury) performed with an unabashed joy that made them look like they had just been voted the most promising new band in rock, not men who had been at or near the top for a dozen grueling years. Newcomer John Bundrick, on keyboards, and three horn players added a fullness to the Who sound. The music, from the old "I Can't Explain" to "Won't Get Fooled Again," sounded as elegant and inspiring as ever.

The result is the Who seems able once more to reach to the future rather than compete desperately with its own past, as it appeared to be doing on recent visits here. The band's ability to still excite audiences after all this time is remarkable in a field so prone to new trends and new heroes. Remember: The Who's first single was released the same year as Herman's Hermits' "I'm Henry VIII, I Am." A lot of bands have come and gone since then, but the Who lingers on—triumphantly.