New York Times, 2.7.2002

Who Launch Tour After Death of Bassist

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Who turned their mourning into defiant energy in their first concert after the death of their longtime bassist.

Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, the surviving members of the seminal, 1960's British rock band performed Monday night at the Hollywood Bowl in the group's first concert since John Entwistle's death last week.

The first two shows of the group's North American tour were canceled after Entwistle, 57, died in his sleep Thursday in Las Vegas, and his bandmates vowed to continue as a tribute to him.

"I just wanted to say that tonight we played for John Entwistle," Daltrey said after opening the show with the hits, "I Can't Explain," and "Substitute." "He was the true spirit of rock 'n' roll and he lives on in the music we play."

The group, featuring substitute bass player Pino Palladino, then launched into a frenetic rendition of "Who Are You."

Earlier, Townshend said he did not expect Palladino, who has played with Tears for Fears, Eric Clapton and Elton John, to "emulate, parody or copy John Entwistle in any way."

"The one request I made was that -- at first -- he play as loud as he can bear!" the guitarist said in a message posted on his Web site.

Entwistle, Daltrey and Townshend were three of the founding members of the rock quartet. Drummer Keith Moon died in 1978 of a drug overdose.

The group, founded in London in the early 1960s, was part of the British rock invasion along with the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. Their parade of hits included "I Can See For Miles," "Pinball Wizard," and "Won't Get Fooled Again."

The Who has been known for explosive shows that often culminate in the smashing of their musical instruments on stage. But Entwistle's bass guitar work was known for its great reserve, anchoring the wildman antics of the other players.

Fans at the packed Hollywood Bowl gave the group a standing ovation before a single note was played. Palladino played the first few songs off to the side, often in shadow.

Before the set began, giant screens featured video of the group rehearsing at Townshend's home nearly two weeks before Entwistle's death. The audience cheered and applauded each time Entwistle was seen.

Many said they were sorry that he was gone, but believe The Who would survive his loss.

The truth of the matter is, Entwistle was very mellow, so he affects the music but he doesn't affect the stage dynamic as much," said Howard Fuchs, 50, a Los Angeles attorney who said he had seen the group perform nearly 20 times. "He was unique and replaceable all in one."

Most fans said they were glad the band planned to continue.

"I've lost good friends in my life and the best thing you can do to get it out of your system is to express it through music," said Michael May, 39, of Los Angeles, a camera operator and amateur guitarist.

Midway through the show, Townshend took the microphone to thank fans for supporting the band during their time of mourning.

"We're not just pretending as if nothing happened," Townshend said. "It is difficult."

Reuters, 2.7.2002

The Who Play On, Four Days After Bassist's Death

By Dean Goodman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Meet the new band, the same as the old band.

Or maybe not. Four days after the death of bass player John Entwistle, the two surviving members of British rock band the Who kicked off their previously planned North American tour in front of 18,000 fans at the historic Hollywood Bowl on Monday.

While some people debated the propriety of playing so soon after the death, a surprisingly lighthearted Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend got down to business, grinding out two hours of classic material from three decades' worth of albums.

"Tonight, we play for John Entwistle," said vocalist Daltrey, three songs into the set. "He's the true spirit of rock 'n' roll, and he lives on in all the music we play."

Standing in for Entwistle was Welsh session musician Pino Palladino, who had undergone two intensive days' of rehearsals after the band announced on Friday that its three-month tour would go on as a "tribute ... to an irreplaceable friend."

Just the day before, Entwistle's body had been found in a Las Vegas hotel, where the tour was set to begin. Entwistle, 57, suffered an apparent heart attack, although autopsy results have not been published pending toxicology tests.

The decision to tour provoked disbelief in some quarters.

"It's business -- and I underline the word 'business' -- as usual," a disgusted Jim Ladd, a veteran Los Angeles radio personality, said on his broadcast Monday night.

Guitarist Townshend intimated as much on his Web site last Saturday when he wrote, "I simply believe we have a duty to go on, to ourselves, ticket buyers, staff, promoters, big and little people."

The concert began on a poignant note as Daltrey and guitarist Townshend sauntered onto the stage and hugged each other. Both were dressed in black, as was a stationary Palladino who blended into the speaker stack behind him.

The Who launched into three early hits, "I Can't Explain," "Substitute" and "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere." Townshend, in black sunglasses, furiously attacked his red Fender guitar.

The ensemble was rounded out by drummer Zak Starkey, keyboardist John "Rabbit" Bundrick, and Townshend's youngest brother, Simon, on acoustic guitar and backing vocals. Original drummer Keith Moon died of an accidental overdose of sedatives in 1978.

Townshend lightened the mood a few songs later when he compared the Bowl's white shell-like stage to a "white vagina," while the giant spheres suspended from the ceiling looked like a "testicle factory."

While noting the absence of Entwistle's "huge harmonic noise," he congratulated Palladino on playing well anyway.

"For fans that have followed us for many years, this is gonna be very difficult," Townshend said. "We understand. We're not pretending that nothing's happened."

But he said Los Angeles was a great place to kick off the tour, joking that it was "full of emptiness, deep rivers of shallow nothingness."

"I think you know, probably more than anybody what the show business side of all this stuff is, and we do feel comfortable to be here tonight."

Other songs on the set list included "Who Are You," "Baba O'Riley," "Eminence Front," "Won't Get Fooled Again," "Love, Reign O'er Me," "The Kids Are Alright," the 1981 rarity "Another Tricky Day" and their 1965 anthem "My Generation."

After the encore, a suite of tunes from the 1969 "Tommy" rock opera, Townshend and Daltrey clutched bouquets of flowers and saluted photos of Entwistle on the giant video screens that flanked the stage. A male fan ran up and hugged a compliant Townshend.