Who Tour Will Go On Without Entwistle

L A S   V E G A S, June 28 -- The show must go on, Pete Townshend proclaimed.

"We are going on. First show, Hollywood Bowl. Pray for us, John, wherever you are," Townshend said in a posting on his Web site today, a day after The Who's bassist, John Entwistle, was found dead in a Las Vegas hotel room.

The band had planned to kick off a 24-venue tour tonight at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. That show has been canceled.

Pino Palladino, a veteran British studio bassist who has performed and recorded with Townshend, will fill in for Entwistle, according to the Who's official Web site.

The show at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles is scheduled for Monday.

Fans Mourn at the Hard Rock

Las Vegas Metro Police said that they responded to a call from the Hard Rock at about noon Thursday. Entwistle, 57, had been found dead in his room of a suspected heart attack. Police said there was no indication drugs were involved and it appeared the bassist died of natural causes.

An autopsy was conducted today, but the Clark County coroner's office said it was awaiting the results of toxicology tests before it signed off on the cause of death.

As news of Entwistle's death emerged Thursday afternoon, stunned fans from across the country began gathering on the Hard Rock casino floor, outside the entrance to the resort's concert venue, The Joint. Soon, many appeared with flowers, which they left next to larger arrangements bought by the casino, and beneath a poster advertising today's show.

Michael Rudman traveled from San Francisco to see the show. "This was the opening of the tour, the smallest venue [The Who were going to play]. I had a killer seat. I was jazzed," he said.

"I just checked into the hotel an hour ago a friend of mine called me from San Francisco saying, 'I got bad news.' "

Rick Cermera, who came from New York, was also caught off guard.

"I didn't believe it. He looked in great health," he said. "I mean, seeing him play for over 25 years with Keith Moon and Pete Townshend, smashing their guitars and the drums. I mean, you would never think a tragedy like this would happen."