The Who thrills N.J. with 50 years of rock prowess (PHOTOS)

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NEWARK -- In 2016, The Who's lasting eminence hinges almost entirely on Roger Daltrey's weathered pipes.

Since a 2011 surgery for vocal cord dysplasia -- and after more than 50 years spent screaming round the globe -- the 72-year-old frontman does not command the same melodic range of his "Tommy" heyday.

But how did the prolific singer fare Saturday night, in front of a packed Prudential Center crowd and under the duress of The Who Hits 50! world tour -- the victory lap for one of the most significant rock bands of all time?

A few prodigious wails, which ignited the brooding choruses of "Love Reign O'er Me" and raised the hair on 15,000 forearms, were together a masterful response.

Daltrey wielded the band's towering 1973 classic, to destroy any notion that he'd be unable to keep pace with legendary guitarist Pete Townshend and a cast of sprightlier touring musicians.

Both Daltrey and Townshend captivated through a two-hour set of greatest hits and band favorites, and were gracious to a crowd who waited an extra five months to see The Who once more during its self-proclaimed "long goodbye" to touring. The gig's original October date was postponed after Daltrey contracted viral meningitis and was ordered to rest. This stretch of shows began in November 2014.

While this affair was far from the raucous, guitar-smashing performances of decades past -- Townshend took a vitamin on-stage for Pete's sake -- there was still enough rock hubris left coursing through the gray gentlemen to deliver an anthemic farewell. That is, of course, if the band truly believes it's spent (they've made this claim before).

HIGHLIGHTS

- Before kicking off with "Who Are You," Townshend addressed the crowd, and was quick to name-drop the revered Capitol Theatre in Passaic as his enduring association with New Jersey. He also mentioned Bruce Springsteen, who the band saw there as "an upcoming lad," he laughed. This was the first of many chat breaks throughout the show, which did well to add context to half-century-old tunes like "I Can See For Miles" -- the band's 1967 U.S. breakthrough smash.

"And most of you weren't even born," Townshend quipped.

Townshend still whips out his patented windmill strumming technique, and worked a few dozen of them into the set. (John O'Boyle | For NJ.com)

Later, before "Real Me," the band's primary songwriter lamented albums as a withering art form.

"If 'Quadrophenia' came out today, no one would notice," he said of the group's sprawling 1973 double LP, and what he called The Who's "last great album." 

After "Real Me," Daltrey joined in to say "music is about telling stories, but what is music about today?"

Without hesitation, Townshend jabbed "It's about who Rihanna had sex with ... I wish I was one of the people Rihanna had sex with."

- For those curious, yes, Townshend still employs his patented "windmill" strumming technique, and whipped a few dozen throughout the set. Only once was he spotted dropping his guitar pick in the process. And of course, Townshend's fretwork was dominant. His "Amazing Journey" solo was delivered with care, and over the night he rarely seemed bored with the tunes he's rocked thousands of times.

- Visually, the show was supported by a immense collection of band photos and live performance videos, which scrolled and bled into one another on a 30-foot-tall screen behind the traditional, rectangular stage. The images were appropriate, but after an hour of more Union Jacks than the Buckingham Palace gift shop, the scene became a bit indulgent, even for a tour like this.

- The group's six touring members did well to mask Daltrey's occasional imperfections with sharp vocal harmonies, and on drums, Zak Starkey's methodical rhythms keep the machine churning out the hits. More kudos to keyboardist John Corey, whose extended piano introduction to "Love Reign O'er Me" was delicate and arresting.

THE SET LIST

  1. "Who Are You"
  2. "The Seeker"
  3. "The Kids Are Alright"
  4. "I Can See for Miles"
  5. "My Generation"
  6. "The Real Me"
  7. "Pictures of Lily"
  8. "Behind Blue Eyes"
  9. "Bargain"
  10. "Join Together"
  11. "You Better You Bet"
  12. "I'm One"
  13. "The Rock"
  14. "Love, Reign O'er Me"
  15. "Eminence Front"
  16. "Amazing Journey"
  17. "Pinball Wizard"
  18. "See Me, Feel Me"
  19. "Baba O'Riley"
  20. "Won't Get Fooled Again"

Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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