At about 9:10 a.m. Friday, three FM rock stations (WRIF, WWWW and WABX) announced that the rock group the Who would be in town a week before its sold-out Silverdome concert to play at Masonic Auditorium.

Tickets for the concert at 8 p.m. next Friday went on sale at Masonic at 10 a.m. By 11, the ticket line was 1 1/2 blocks long, and no one in it seemed to notice the cold and rain. By 11:30, more than 2,600 tickets had been sold.

The Who had earlier sold out 40,000 tickets for a Dec. 7 concert at the Pontiac Silverdome. But, said the fans waiting in Friday’s line, that’s not the only reason they were excited to find out about this new performance.

“I wouldn’t see anyone I really cared about at the Silverdome,” said Susan Borey, emphatically protesting the size and acoustics of that hall.

“I heard a rumor from a friend (that there would be an additional concert) — I called Masonic every hour... I think they (the Who) want to have a more personal concert.”

THE 4,647-SEAT Masonic Auditorium is a far cry from the big Silverdome.

“I’d rather go here instead,” said Charles Reed, an enthusiast who was too close to the end of the long line for comfort. “It’s a lot smaller ... it’s a football field out there!”

Another plus for Masonic, some said, is reserve seating. Tickets to the Silverdome were general admission, so patrons will have to arrive extremely early to get a decent seat.

Police officers kept an eye on Friday’s not particularly rowdy crowd, making sure that not more than two tickets were sold to each person in line. Some people had been in line since 7 a.m., even though the concert was not announced until 9.

The main worry for the officers was keeping track of the ticket scalpers. One entrepreneur bought two tickets at $12.50 apiece; he sold the pair for $75 to a couple farther back in the line. Predictions for scalpers’ ticket prices the night of the concert range from $125 to $150.

But some think it’s worth it. “You can have a comfortable concert at this place,” says Nick Dippold of Warren. He has tickets to see the Who both in Pontiac and Detroit. “I saw Iggy (Pop) down here — the police are pretty cool outside . . .”

Two notable members of the early-morning line were Robin Tyner, lead singer of the rock group MC 5, and his son. When Tyner’s wife was pregnant with the boy 10 years ago in California, the late Keith Moon of the Who gave his blessing to the child. Ever since, the boy has wanted to see the Who perform. He will get his chance at Masonic.