The Who came to Saskatoon Thursday night with the objective of "socking it to them" and they succeeded.

About 1,600 at the Arena were captivated by the performance of Roger Daltrey, 24, Keith Moon, 21, John Entwistle, 23, and Peter Townshend, 23.

The most sensational part of their show was the way they literally tore their set apart. Guitars, drums, microphones and amplifiers were kicked, stomped and thrown about to create a smashing effect at the end.

The four young Britons were so involved in each of their songs that the audience was drawn into the performance.

The Who, who have had seven hit records in Canada, stopped in Saskatoon after a date at the Calgary Stampede and are enroute to Indiana and an eventual return home by Sept. 1.

A hitch in loading equipment on the plane in Calgary caused transportation delays and The Who, originally scheduled to be here in mid-afternoon, didn’t arrive at the Arena until 10.30. Two local bands, The Kaleidoscope and The Great Flood, entertained for an hour each. Another hour delay dampened some enthusiasm of the audience but The Who came on strongly in their 45-minute stint and made the youngsters forget their woes.

Who's next? —Herman's Hermits

And even more top-flight British rock talent is on the way.

Herman’s Hermits, consistent producers of million-selling singles, have been signed as a special grandstand attraction at the Saskatoon Exhibition on Friday, Aug. 2.

Manager Elwood Hart said the signing was in line with a policy adopted last year when the Exhibition tried to obtain special attractions on the grandstand prior to the regular Monday opening.

With the grandstand area to be used, it is virtually certain that the Thomas Midway Shows would also begin operation on the Friday.

The Hermits, led by vocalist Peter Noone, have been popular for the past three years and have turned out big hits for Decca like Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter, Don’t Go Out in The Rain, Dial My Number, Leaning on a Lamp Post, Just a Little Better, Listen People and their latest, Sleepy Joe.

The Hermits have been a top draw in stage shows and previous Canadian tours have been highly successful.

Their popularity in Britain is probably exceeded only by The Beatles.