GREENSBORO, N.C. — First came The Beatles in 1963.

Then stormed the Rolling Stones. The Who followed shortly thereafter.

Rock’s British Invasion of America was on. The Beatles are gone but the Stones and The Who rock on. While the Stones gear up to mark their 50th anniversary, The Who ignited its own celebration two weeks ago when they opened a tour to herald the 40th anniversary of their album “Quadrophenia.”

Last Friday, Nov. 9, found The Who at the Greensboro Coliseum, the fifth among 37 announced shows. Before a crowd of about 10,000, lone Who originals lead singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend cast 23 songs in two-plus hours that alternately rocked to the rafters and managed points of poignancy, too.

They opened with “I Am the Sea,” a brief introduction to The Who’s 1973 landmark album, “Quadrophenia.” They followed in order through each of the album’s 17 riveting songs, the sum of which remain relevant. Issues of suicide and societal acceptance and lack thereof carry forth.

Zak Starkey, the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, filled the late Keith Moon’s seat on the drums. Pino Palladino (Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Adele, etc.) played bass in place of the late John Entwistle. Pete’s brother Simon Townshend added rhythm guitar.

Each accentuated The Who’s signature dynamite-meets-drama sound.

Showmanship of The Who’s dynamic duo hasn’t dimmed a whit or a watt with the passage of years. Daltrey, 68, twirled a microphone stand above his head. Townshend, 67, whipped his trademark windmill attacks on his red Fender Strat first on “The Real Me” and throughout to the delighted howl of the audience.

Vocally, Daltrey doesn’t hit the highs as often. However, he aimed and hit high on the eternally climatic “Love, Reign O’er Me.” His six-stringing counterpart Townshend wound his arm and attacked with fervor. Surely Pilot Mountain shuddered.

A seven-song blister-fest followed. The rock opera gods shared vocals on a dead-on, close your eyes and it’s 1971 again “Baba O’Riley.” Townshend’s slashing guitar met Daltrey’s intense vocals on “Pinball Wizard,” calmed to a cool on “Behind Blue Eyes” and revved to a roar with “Who Are You” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

Daltrey with Townshend on acoustic guitar followed with a goodbye courtesy “Tea & Theatre.” Rapt fans watched as if for the last time. The Who, rock royalty, amid final bows — or not. They left a lifetime’s imprint upon the memories of all from this one night captured among The Who’s nearly 50 years of magical nights.

“We did it all,” Daltrey sang. Indeed.

Tom Netherland is a freelance writer. He may be reached at features@bristolnews.com.