FOXBORO, Mass. – Sullivan Stadium was the scene Wednesday for the most recent concert by the legendary rock band the Who. After vowing seven years ago never to tour again, members of the Who decided to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their classic rock opera “Tommy,” as well as 25 years together, by hitting the road once again.

So far, the tour, which started at Radio City Music Hall in New York, has been selling out and is being lauded by fans and critics alike. Wednesday night’s performance was certainly no exception.

The show’s opening set featured some highlights from “Tommy.” This included the Overture, “It’s A Boy,” “Pinball Wizard,” and “We’re Not Gonna Take It/See Me, Feel Me” to name but a few. Singer Roger Daltry, 45, guitarist Peter Townshend, 44, and bass player John Entwistle, 43, performed with much the same vigor that one might have expected from their concerts of 15 years ago.

The audience also was treated to some of Townshend’s solo material including a cut from his latest album, “Iron Man.” After a brief intermission, the boys returned to belt out some old favorites and known crowd pleasers. Such classics as “Love, Reign O’er Me” and “5:15” from the 1973 recording, “Quadrophenia,” “My Generation,” “Baba O’Riley,” and, of course, the popular rock anthem “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” elevated the audience to a veritable rock ‘n’ roll-induced hysteria.

Regarding his trademark windmill guitar technique, Townshend recently told Rolling Stone, “They won’t get it. I’ve warned ’em before and I’m warnin’ them again. They won’t get it for a number of reasons.” Apparently, however, Townshend was unable to convince even himself that the windmill was a thing of the past. He executed it with a style and grace that were met with deafening applause. This, combined with Daltry’s habit of tossing his microphone about like a bullwhip, proved that the Who retained the same exuberance they had in the past.

In past years, Townshend has tended to downplay his role with the Who as well as the Who’s significance as a force on the rock music scene. Recently, the music media have focused attention on the fact that Townshend now suffers from the hearing disorder known as tinnitus, which is due to continued exposure to loud music. The hearing problem was thought to be an issue that might affect Townshend’s performance on the tour. The audience was twice surprised by the fact that, despite his hearing problem, Pete was in the forefront and as dynamic a performer and guitarist as ever.

Misgivings about the status of the Who also seemed to be put to rest by Townshend’s animated performance, his genuinely friendly air in not wanting to leave the stage after the encore and his statement that the Who is still the same.

The band played to a sellout crowd for about 3¼ hours. The encore seemed to have been cut short because Daltry was unable to return to the stage due to having pulled a muscle in his diaphragm late in the performance.

GUITARIST PETE TOWNSHEND of the Who thanks the crowd at Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Wednesday night for a piece of wrapping paper, playfully leaving a bouquet of flowers on the stage before firing up the first of two performances in Massachusetts. (AP Photo)

For a band that once proclaimed, “Hope I die before I get old,” the Who, despite the passing of 25 years which has put them well into middle age, the death of original drummer Keith Moon 10 years ago, bouts with alcoholism and Townshend’s hearing problems, still displays power, enthusiasm and explosive force.