While unveiling the plaque honouring the 1970 concert, Townshend and Daltrey both paid tribute to their fans in Leeds.

"It's so great to be back. I haven't been here for ages and I love it in Leeds," said Townshend.

Daltrey added: "Without those unions to play, the venues were thin on the ground, so my big thanks to Leeds and the others for being there."

'Benchmark concert'

The 1970 gig came after The Who's triumphant appearance at Woodstock and included the last complete live performance of the rock opera Tommy.

The idea to recreate the gig came about after broadcaster Andy Kershaw - who was the entertainments secretary at the university in the early 1980s - approached the band's manager, Bill Curbishley.

Kershaw wanted to know if the band would unveil a plaque commemorating the gig, and asked if they would also consider performing.

"Bill finished my sentence: 'They'll do it.' And so the idea of a concert began," he said.

"It defined an era of big bands like The Who playing at college venues and also underpinned the importance of college venues and the live music circuit."

BBC NEWS.