EAST RUTHERFORD – The Who, looking much like the hard-driving band of old, rocked a sellout crowd of 54,000 last night at Giants Stadium.

The band, making the first American stadium appearance of its 25th-anniversary tour, took the stage to the strains of the theme song from the television show “Bonanza.”

They immediately launched into several songs from the classic album “Tommy,” including “Overture/It’s a Boy,” “Acid Queen” and “I’m Free.”

Lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend and bassist John Entwistle looked fit and eager to play. Daltrey swirled his microphone in trademark fashion as Townshend jumped across the stage.

The band was joined by a horn section, additional musicians and three backup singers.

The audience yelled “Who, Who, Who” during a break between songs and sang along with “Pinball Wizard.”

The show was the first during a four-night stand at the stadium. Concerts are also scheduled for tonight, Sunday and Monday.

Woodstock

Before the show, fans old enough to have seen the Who at Woodstock 20 years ago enjoyed the parking-lot scene with kids who weren’t even born then. “My Generation” and “Baba O’Reilly” boomed from car loudspeakers as ticketholders cooked hot dogs and soaked up the bright sunshine.

“It’ll be a great experience,” said Larry Pishioneri of Highland Park, who sat in a lawn chair alongside one with his brother, Richard, of Freehold.

Both men are longtime fans of the Who, but neither had caught the band in concert before last night.

Larry, 37, said he was happy for the opportunity to catch the Who during its first American tour in seven years.

“I was a little bit too young for Woodstock,” said Richard, 33. He had wanted to attend the festival in Woodstock, N.Y., but his parents turned thumbs down to the idea.

Richard said he didn’t feel awkward waiting in a parking lot that included many fans 10 to 20 years younger. “This is our generation,” he said in reference to the band.

Mary Connors, 20, of Manville, paid a scalper $60 for her ticket, the original value of which was $23. “They’re my all-time favorite group,” she said. “This is, like, my ultimate concert.”

Connors’ friend, Jody Orth, also 20, said today’s rock groups cannot compare to the “classic” Who.

“I feel like this is our last chance to see them,” said Orth, of Piscataway. “They’re a legend — when I’m old I want to be able to tell my kids I saw the Who.”