THE WHO, a British rock group, featuring Peter Townshend, lead guitar; Roger Daltrey, vocal; Keith Moon, drums and John Entwhistle, bass … for one performance at Freedom Palace.

IT HAD ALL the comforts of jungle survival training in Panama … all the electrical conveniences of the Great Blackout in New York … yet who could deny the greatness of the performers?

Who? The Who, that's who.

The crowd of 3,500 sweating bodies that jammed Freedom Palace last night seemed to see through much of the travail and discomfort to what was there: The Who—undeniably one of the top two or three rock groups in the world.

Despite agonizing technical difficulties, The Who put forth a fine effort. But the real stars of the evening weren't on stage, they were watching it. I mean the audience. Considering the circumstances, they remained beautifully "un-hassled".

After waiting hours outside in the heat for a concert which was to begin at 8 o'clock—only to see The Who come on stage an hour and a half after that time—they held their composure amazingly well.

To describe the interior of Freedom Palace last night as a sauna is not overstatement. Yet the audience remained patient. The Who finally appeared at 9:30 o'clock, played two numbers, and then Peter Townshend's amplification system cut out. This was the first of at least three such interruptions.

They did "Water," a number that will appear on their forthcoming album. It was oriented toward Roger Daltrey's singing. "We need water," he howled. How appropriate.

After another set they launched into excerpts from their famous rock-opera "Tommy," starting first with the "Overture." Townshend displayed an amazing ability to pick his guitar strings while keeping each note distinct.

After "It's a Boy," Townshend's amps failed again. The group made it through "Pinball Wizard," only to have the bleeding sound fail again in the middle of "I'm Free." Words cannot describe the frustration.

And so it went. "Summertime Blues" and "My Generation" followed. Well done, but nothing great.

In fact, that can be said of the whole concert. It was no one's fault, really. The audience tried. The Who tried. The promoters tried. I've seen many concerts go this route … here and elsewhere.—S. W.