USA: BRITISH ROCERS 'THE WHO' BEGIN THEIR U.S. TOUR JUST FOUR DAYS AFTER THE DEATH OF BASS PLAYER JOHN ENTWISTLE

Record ID: 392859

  • Title: USA: BRITISH ROCERS 'THE WHO' BEGIN THEIR U.S. TOUR JUST FOUR DAYS AFTER THE DEATH OF BASS PLAYER JOHN ENTWISTLE
  • Date: 1st July 2002
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES (JULY 1, 2002) (REUTERS) MCU (English) FAN RANDY GRIMSLEY FROM CALIFORNIA SAYING: "What I think is going through their minds, their buddy has passed away they see it coming for years. They want to honor him and put on a hell-afied tour for the year you know. This is going to be it - Hollywood is where it's at! Today they are going to shine for J
  • Embargoed: 16th July 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES AND VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment,General
  • Reuters ID: LVA9NI4H06928ENQQYB6PXPYFO0N
  • Story Text: British rockers The Who began their U.S. tour on Monday (July 1) just four days after the death of bass player John Entwistle. The group hired a session musician to fill in for their fallen comrade. Fans of The Who's music gathered at the Hollywood Bowl for a summer concert, billed as a tribute tour to John Entwistle.
    British rockers The Who began their U.S. tour on Monday (July 1) just four days after the death of bass player John Entwistle, hiring session musician Pino Palladino to fill in for their fallen comrade. Fans that gathered at the Hollywood Bowl applauded as The Who kicked off their summer concert with "I Can't Explain."
    The group's guitarist/songwriter, Pete Townshend, said on his Web site on Saturday (June 29, 2002) he had made only one request of the Welsh native -"that, at first, he play as loud as he can bear!" The Who made the 1976 Guinness Book of Records for playing the loudest concert. On stage, Pete Townshend gave a warm hug to Pino Palladino the session musician who joined The Who on stage after the death of one of Townshends' closest friends.
    Entwistle, 57, died of an apparent heart attack in his Las Vegas hotel room on Thursday (June 27), a day before the group was scheduled to open its tour in the city.
    With singer Roger Daltrey leaving the decisions to Townshend, The Who surprised fans by saying that the tour would go ahead as a "tribute ... to an irreplaceable friend."
    The tour had the blessing of Entwistle's son, Christopher, who said his father would have wanted the show to go on. Fans rallied behind the band that has entertained them for decades. One ticket holder was supportive saying, "I think they can definitely pull this off they have been together for almost forty years."
    Fans were pleased with the band's decision to continue the tour. One in particular reflected on the group's loyalty to those that enjoy The Who's music saying, "I heard that they are doing this in memory of Entwistle and I think it shows that they care about their fans and that they are loyal to their fans."
    Townshend said in a note posted on the Web that he was not actually sure what his late colleague would have wanted.
    Nor did he view the tour as a memorial.
    "I simply believe we have a duty to go on, to ourselves, ticket buyers, staff, promoters, big and little people. I also have a duty to myself and my dependent family and friends. I also want to help guide Roger and the rest of the band at this time, all of whom have been shaken by John's death."
    Townshend said his immediate mission was to complete the three-month tour "in good heart, and to remember John in my quiet and private times. Townshend and colleges performed in front of over 17,000 enthusiastic fans seated in the outside theater. Those that gathered enjoyed a memorable evening of music at the Hollywood Bowl performance. Concertgoers were determined to enjoy the rock and roll music, despite the recent loss of one of the band members. One fan summed up the experience saying, "for them to continue their tour with the loss of Entwistle, is an amazing, heartfelt, they need the love from us."
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