The Dho (never to be confused with the bubblegum group of similar name, The Guess Who) gave an epic performance to the three-quarter capacity audience at the University of Houston's Hofheinz Pavilion. They did "Tommy."

A leftover group (meaning they were leftovers from now-defunct groups), Cactus, opened the evening. They are a strange mis-combination of Tim Bogert and Carmen Apprice, formerly of the Vanilla Fudge; Jim McCarty from the Buddy Miles Express and Rusty Dade previously of the Detroit Wheels and Amboy Dukes.

They led me to form my Third Law of Rock Music: "A group's volume is in inverse proportion to its musical talent."

Then The Who arrived sans introduction (who needs it?). They did a few songs (including "Young Man Blues" and "I Don't Even Know Myself") combining the now hard rock sound with the amusing mid-'50s rock n' roll choreography. However, not too many will remember those.

They played their rock opera "Tommy" . . . because there's little else we want to play," said lead guitarist Peter Townshend and from overture to encore it was an experience to behold.

Roger Daltrey, minus his "Woodstock" fringe, masochistically beat himself with his tambourine, but caressed each platinum note. Townshend displayed equal virtuosity with Nureyev-like leaps and his guitar. Drummer Keith Moon was the comic relief beating rhythm in pantomime.

The Who obviously know theory of opera well, as "Tommy" is a complex opus and a very dramatic one at that. Especially so is the "Gypsy" aria.

A bravo and a groovy to The Who.