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For the finale, however, they poured on the steam. Spotlights tracked the sky as the vibrato rose for "Who Are You." The stage lights flared for the "Tommy" medley of "Pinball Wizard" and "See Me, Feel Me."

The arrival of the drizzle coincided with the watery "Love Reign O'er Me" as the name of the group was outlined in flashing pinlights on screens in front of the speakers on either side of the band (They stood under the bridge of the "H").

Flashpots exploded in flame and smoke as they introduced a set-closing "Won't Be Fooled Again."

The three-song encore saw Townshend duckwalking across the stage as he soloed on "Summertime Blues" and bassist John Entwistle wailing an unexpectedly unrestrained "Twist and Shout"; as Daltrey and Townshend bawled harmonies into a shared mike.

To that point, Entwistle had played the gentleman rocker quietly but vividly — white trousers and shoes, fuschia jacket. The blond-curled Daltrey shed his green coat early to reveal a body-builder's shoulders in a tight striped shirt. Townshend went greaser, bare-chested under a leather jacket.

Prior to the arrival of The Who, however, the afternoon proved to be more a matter of waiting than celebrating. Opener David Johansen started half an hour past the announced 1:30 p.m. start, played a scant 25 minutes and connected with the crowd only in his final Eric Burdon medley.

The Clash, an emerging headliner and one of England's most significant new bands, cut their hard-hitting set short at 40 minutes for unknown reasons, though they'd been alloted a full hour. The quartet, in sleeveless shirts and army boots, struck the first dancing groove of the day with their defiant verve and the forceful performances of guitarists Joe Strummer and Mick Jones.

Till the rain started, it was a perfect day for a big outdoor gathering — not too hot, not too cold, not so windy that the sheer screens over the speakers were threatened. Haze blocked the rays of the afternoon sun, reducing the prospect of heat exhaustion. Security guards with garden hoses sprayed water on the crowd packed in front of the stage.

Fried-dough wagons and soft-drink stands were set up on the field, and many fans treated the affair as an extended picnic, bringing cooler chests full of food.

There was considerably less drunkenness than at football games, due to a ban on bottles and cans and no beer sales at the refreshment booths.

Action was light at the first-aid stations, while T-shirt vendors did a heavy business. An announcer between sets thanked the throng for making this "the smoothest concert so far."