It's been called a farewell tour. Whether it is or not, last night the Who played like there was no tomorrow.

From the time they took the Civic Arena stage just before 9 p.m. till they finally staggered off two hours and 15 minutes later, they put on a show that typified rock at its best.

If last night's concert was any indication, the Who performers are well on their way to dissolving the bad memories of 1979's tragic tour when 11 young people were smothered in a pre-concert crush in Cincinnati.

And while shedding that undeserved violent reputation, they can re-establish their pre-eminence as a live band with more shows like last night's.

The only violence in the Civic Arena last was that which Pete Townshend committed against his guitars. No, he isn't back to smashing them against the amps in a concert-ending frenzy. But his distinctive techniques – windmill power chords, frantic strumming and restless picking – meant he had to switch guitars about every third song.

This was fine with the sellout crowd, since it usually needed a moment to catch its breath after each song. Just watching Townshend bounding across the stage and doing his familiar leaping scissor-kicks was enough to wear out the audience.

He's an original showman, and for many in the crowd just seeing his act in person was enough. But the throng also was treated to an impressive musical display. Though never a dazzling technician, Townshend ranks among the greats for his efficient, highly varied playing (rhythm and lead almost simultaneously), and there is nary a note misplaced.

He teamed well with microphone-whirling singer Roger Daltrey, and both played off wooden Indian bassist John Entwistle to present a mesmerizing show. Drummer Kenney Jones is not the madman Keith Moon was, but none of the trademark triplets and rolls was missing. His playing leading into the final chorus of "Won't Get Fooled Again" could not have been more powerful.

That song was the finale of the scheduled set, and was punctuated with pivoting spotlights (a very nice effect) and flashpots. But the Who needed none of that.

The show was a comprehensive overview of one of the most successful careers in rock history. Wisely structured, the concert seemed to peak at several points, each slightly wilder than the previous. Though older songs received the strongest reactions, the band fit several newer numbers into the songlist and most succeeded.

They put special emphasis on "Quadrophenia," reportedly a favorite of Townshend's, and in fact a much stronger, more cohesive work than the better-known "Tommy."

They played four songs from that album. Midway in the show, after a quiet lead-in of the "I'm One" theme by Townshend, they launched into "Punk Meets the Godfather," (Jones shining) and a long version of "Drowned," with nice harmonica work by Daltrey. Later on, they added "5:15" with a syncopated finish, and "Love, Reign O'er Me."

The Who started – after an excellent set by David Johannsen – with a couple of nuggets from the mid-sixties: "Substitute" (which they opened with last visit) and the classic "Can't Explain." On the latter, Townshend's windmilling solo seemed to crank the audience up tighter and tighter. Not that they needed much encouragement.

Entwistle's "Dangerous" came next, with Daltrey on the vocals and sounding in quite good voice. After "Sister Disco" and the first appearance of those special spotlights, Entwistle stepped up to sing "The Quiet One," the only selection from the "Face Dances" album.

Two new ones, "It's Hard" and "Eminence Front" followed, sung by Townshend. The jaunty yet somehow eerie rhythm of "Eminence Front" is a bit of a departure for the group, but it worked.

From there it was on to a "Who's Next" double: "Behind Blue Eyes" and "Baba O'Reilly." The crowd erupted for the fast section of the former, and one of those peaks came at the accelerated finish of the latter.

The next high point came on the back-to-back "Pinball Wizard" and "See me, feel me" chorus from "Tommy," but they were far from finished. After "5:15" and "Love Reign," they crashed into "Long Live Rock," complete with Chuck Berry duckwalk, and "Won't Get Fooled Again," which was strong as ever.

The encores were somewhat surprising, though they did this last time, too, with "Dancing in the Streets." This time, "Athena," "Summertime Blues" and, of all things, a riotous "Twist and Shout." No, they never played "My Generation," but no one was complaining.