LAS VEGAS, June 27 — John Entwistle, the bass player for veteran British rock band The Who, was found dead of an apparent heart attack in his Las Vegas hotel room on Thursday, just one day before the group was set to begin a North American tour in the city, the Clark County Coroner said. Entwistle, a bearded, taciturn type affectionately known as “Ox,” died at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, said coroner Ron Flud.
THE WHO, KNOWN for such hits as “My Generation,” “Pinball Wizard” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” were scheduled to begin their three-month tour in a small club at the hotel. The Vegas show was canceled but the rest of the tour was undecided, said Beckye Levin of promoter Clear Channel Entertainment.
“I was told he passed away in his sleep last night,” Levin said, breaking into sobs during a telephone interview.
Robert Rosenberg, manager of The Who, said he was “saddened and shocked” by news of Entwistle’s death.
The Who are now down to just two original members, singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist/songwriter Pete Townshend. Original drummer Keith Moon died of an accidental pill overdose in 1978 at age 31.
In addition to playing bass, Entwistle, 57, helped out on backing vocals. His songwriting contributions to The Who were sporadic, mostly limited to a few album tracks and B-sides. He released a half-dozen solo albums. Entwistle stood out on stage for his emotionless demeanor — a stark contrast to the impassioned antics of Townshend and Daltrey.
