PATRICIA BECK/Detroit Free Press Roger Daltrey makes music at the Silverdome.

New Generation Turns Out for the Who

In 1965, the Who's Pete Townshend wrote a song called "My Generation." But Tuesday night at the Who's Pontiac Silverdome performance, the plural generations was more appropriate. And add the adjective feisty while you're at it.

The gathering of about 46,000 was definitely unwilted by the oppressive heat and smokiness inside the Silverdome. Loud and boisterous behavior prevailed in the stands and in the corridors. But hey, it was all in the families — the turnout was dotted with families who had passed their enthusiasm for the Who on to their offspring.

Most of the crowd appeared to be teenaged or slightly older, not yet born when the Who — celebrating its 25th anniversary with this concert tour — began recording. Yet they were familiar enough with the band's material to cheer wildly for almost everything the British group played, from its first hit ("Can't Explain") to brand-new songs from Townshend's latest album, "The Iron Man."

"They're the base of today's music," said David Brandt, 15, of Warren, who was sporting a T-shirt for the heavy metal band Metallica. "You can understand today's music more by listening to (the Who)."

Tom Puwal, 38, of Sterling Heights brought his 14-year-old son T.J. to the show. "He likes the music I do," Puwal said, "and I like some of his music. And we both like the Who."

The parking lot resembled a party from early afternoon, when fans began pulling in to barbecue, drink and catch Frisbees. There were several busloads, including a group of 100 from Grand Rapids and a particularly loud school bus filled with beer-drinking high school and college students from Windsor.

Nick Davies, 17, organized that bus with his brother Tom, 20. "Our parents like it," said Davies, who rented a bus to tote friends to a Pink Floyd concert two years ago. "They think it's the safest way to go. On the way in you're just hoping to get there sooner and on the ride back you're just wishing the party went on forever."

Notably absent from the festivities were ticket scalpers, whose business was kiboshed by slow ticket sales; fans were able to buy tickets right up until show time Tuesday.