Charlie says I first saw The Who in the late Sixties. They certainly weren't a boy band, but you could say they were a boy's band. You didn't take girlfriends to Who concerts, principally for their own safety. The songs Pete Townshend wrote were normally loud and violent. And so were the band. In fact going to a Who concert in those days was akin to going to a football match. "Just going to see The Who, Mum." "OK, but try not to get in any fights." As we walked into the London Arena on Monday night, I was pleased the crowd was different: I certainly wasn't the only dad who had his son with him – and they weren't being dragged in screaming and kicking either. Townshend showed he'd lost none of the fury of his guitar playing, but instead of fighting with the crowd, he enjoyed the view: young people jumping up and down playing air guitar back at him. By the time he sang his final song more than two hours later Roger Daltrey was flagging a bit. Not surprising really when you think that he is now 56 and the band were coming to the end of a sell-out tour of Britain – after a sell-out tour of the United States. When they were young Townshend used to finish his performance by smashing up his guitar, drummer Keith Moon, who died more than 20 years ago, used to blow up his drum kit and Daltrey used to shove his mike stand in a speaker. Britney Spears was due at the London Arena a couple of nights later. I wonder what her fans would have thought of that. Long live rock.

FAN BASE: Charlie and Dan; the original Who members (John Entwistle, Keith Moon, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend)

Dan says Most kids were weaned on a diet of Rock-A-Bye-Baby. I was brought up with my dad saying, "This is rock, my baby" as The Who blasted out of the stereo. So going to see the Sixties band live for the first time felt as if I'd been watching them all my life. I was amazed that I wasn't alone when it came to teenagers finding live and loud rock music a welcome distraction to the Westlifes and Spice Girls of this world. I read recently that lead singer Roger Daltrey said he is pleased that The Who is attracting many young people to their concerts. "These are people who weren't even born when the songs were written. They seem to be really getting off on the music and they know every word," he said. "There's a hankering to get back to real music and real musicians playing off one another, which you don't get with the music that's out there at the moment. It's all produced and pre-conceived." OK, it wasn't swarming with teenagers and most were dragged along by parents, but the ones I spoke to had no regrets. "My mum tells me that Britain used to lead the world musically, it's sad we don't any more," said 15-year-old Tom Webster, ears still buzzing from the incredible noise of The Who's massive speakers. I know I'm going to get some stick for saying this, but he's right. America has bands like Limp Bizkit, Korn and Slipknot, and what have we to offer? S Club 7, Steps and Five. It's embarrassing. That's why we should be pleased that legendary groups such as The Who are still playing. They went through all their hit songs. After I Can't Explain came Heaven and Hell right the way through to their final and best-known number, My Generation. Townshend performed a magical solo version of Drowned on his acoustic guitar. I was disappointed that, when the final chords of Won't Get Fooled Again blasted out, Townshend didn't slide along the stage on his knees like he did in my dad's video. But then that's probably the first sign of arthritis coming on. Townshend wrote: "I hope I die before I get old". Well, he is old and he isn't dead yet. But don't let age be a barrier. Good music, whatever age the composer is, should be listened to by young and old alike.

GUITAR KING: Pete Townshend