"I'm not trying to cause a big sensation. I'm just talking 'bout my generation." — From "My Generation," recorded by the Who.

By Gloria Elliott

Pete Townshend, Roger Daltry, John Entwhistle, and Keith Moon (better known as "the Who") have arrived.

Not only have they arrived, they have taken Philadelphia by storm. The crescendo of excitement the Who created in Philadelphia's Spectrum Wednesday night hasn't been heard around this area since Beatlemania.

Why the Who, you ask? Pete Townshend is one major reason.

It takes him about five seconds to strap on a guitar and about five more seconds to whip an audience of 13,000 into a complete frenzy. Performing acrobatics and wild leaps in the air, he can play a guitar in more positions than other musicians can get into — without their instruments.

With a sly grin on his face, he looks over a packed house (kids had already jammed the stage) and says very calmly in a British accent, "What a mess rock 'n roll makes,"

Clad in a parachute suit most of the time, Townshend is probably the most visual rock n' roll artist since Elvis Presley first wiggled his hips.

Shouting out to his audience, Roger Daltry — driven by some unknown energy — screams out hoarse blues. You feel exhausted just listening to him.

Keith Moon, a complete riot on stage, won this year's Jazz & Pop Poll as world's best drummer.

The Who based upon the success and quality of its last two albums — "Tommy," a rock opera about a 21-year-old boy who is deaf, dumb and blind, and "Live at Leeds" — is now in the top echelon of the pop-rock world.

If you remember way back when, they were the group that smashed Rickenbacker guitars and instruments to bits on the Ed Sullivan Show and were never invited back.

The Who wowed 'em Wednesday night with excerpts from "Tommy" such as "Acid Queen" and "Pin Ball Wizard." They also performed "Summertime Blues," "Shake It On Over," "My Generation" and countless others.

"Tommy," the "first" successful rock opera, is no small undertaking to perform live. Not only did they write this rock masterpiece, they can reproduce it flawlessly on stage.

On stage, the Who reminds you of a balloon let loose without tying the knot. The only difference is the group never fizzles out. For two straight hours they seem to possess limitless quantities of energy, not to mention a staggering repertoire of songs.

When you realize the Who have the knack for creating the kind of vibrations the kids want to hear, what else can you say about a group? That's what the game is all about.