If you like rock music, you have to be somewhat disturbed when you listen to those who say the rock scene has turned sour.

Maybe this is just so much hogwash, but there were certainly no reassuring signs during the shambles that was billed as a rock concert at the Spectrum on Tuesday night. A pity, too, because it should have been a beautiful evening of entertainment.

On hand was The Who, a super group from England that is in contention with the Rolling Stones as the world’s most spectacular rock band. You can measure The Who’s popularity in that the concert was sold out weeks ahead of time.

ROCK OPERA

But, after all, it was The Who that started the whole rock opera binge with its “Tommy.” And even before “Tommy,” the group's guiding light, Peter Townshend, was turning on the crowd with his gymnastics and the periodic demolishment of his guitar.

However, The Who’s potent rhythmic, soaring brand of rock could not be heard under more miserable conditions than Tuesday night at the Spectrum.

To start with, the sound was lousy. That in itself might have been tolerable had the vibrations in the big arena been better. But the crowd was in an ugly mood from the beginning. The opening act, La Belle (former Pattie La Belle and the Belles, originally from Philadelphia) never had a chance.

NO EXCUSE

This was due partially to the fact that the crowd had come to see The Who and partially because the sound system was not properly geared to the trio’s needs.

At any rate, there is no excuse for the kind of rudeness demonstrated by too large a percentage of the crowd. The opening act was booked to play whether the crowd liked it or not.

And then when The Who did not appear quickly enough after an intermission, the crowd’s restlessness became a bit sticky. And, of course, several hundred rushed to the front of the stage to stand before their heroes — never mind those who remained in their seats and couldn’t see.

Meanwhile, the Spectrum doors were locked, barring the exit of anyone during the show out of fear that those standing on the outside would rush the guards. It seems on one previous occasion, the arena’s doors were literally lifted off their hinges by those intent on “doing their thing.”

It would be nice to be able to say that The Who’s latest Philadelphia appearance was the triumph it should have been. But the music was often nothing more than a rumble and Peter Townshend’s flashy act — featuring his customary gyrations and leaping into the air — seemed more of an affected sideshow dating back to rock’s infantile period.