The Who to tour as Entwhistle tribute

Legendary British rockers The Who were today beginning their US tour in tribute to late band member John Entwistle.

Original band members Roger Daltrey and Peter Townshend decided the show must go on following Entwistle’s death on Thursday.

The 57-year-old bassist was found dead in a Las Vegas hotel room the day before the band were due to start the tour.

The band’s management decided to go ahead with the concerts after consulting with the Entwistle family.

But the first two gigs - in Las Vegas and Irvine, California - were postponed and The Who were kicking off their tour at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles tonight instead.

Entwistle’s son Christopher said: ‘‘He lived for music and will always live within The Who’s music.

‘‘This is what he would have wished and our love goes out to the remaining band members and the entourage that makes up The Who family.’’

Daltrey and Townshend said in a statement that they view the tour as ‘‘a tribute to John Entwistle’’.

Pino Palladino, a British session player who has worked on Townshend’s solo projects, will fill in for Entwistle.

Zak Starkey, son of former Beatle Ringo Starr, is playing the drums on the three-month tour.

The band intends to complete the full tour, which takes in various states including Ohio, New York, Indiana and Colorado, and will reschedule the two dates which were postponed after Entwistle’s death.

The results of a post mortem examination are yet to be made public but it is thought Entwistle died of a heart attack.

Tributes have poured in for the guitarist who was affectionately known as ‘‘The Ox’’ and who also toured with a band of his own, The John Entwistle Band.

Bill Wyman, of the Rolling Stones, said: ‘‘He was a great friend for many years - the quietest man in private but the loudest man on stage.

‘‘He was unique and irreplaceable and I am shocked and devastated.’’

Ray Manzarek, keyboardist for the Doors, described him as ‘‘one of the great, great rock ‘n’ roll bassists of all time. A real genius.’’

Rocker Sammy Hagar added: ‘‘He just was the most humble rock star I have ever met, besides having the best hands of any bass player in the history of rock and roll.’’