Rock band The Who, set to begin their US tour tomorrow, just four days after the death of bass player John Entwistle, have hired session musician Pino Palladino to fill in for their fallen comrade.
The group's guitarist/songwriter, Pete Townshend, said on his Web site that 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.
Entwistle, 57, died of an apparent heart attack in his Las Vegas hotel room on Thursday, 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 on Friday by saying that the tour would go ahead as a "tribute ... to an irreplaceable friend," starting on Monday at the Hollywood Bowl. The tour had the blessing of Entwistle's son, Christopher, who said his father would have wanted the show to go on.
But Townshend said on the Web site http://www.petetownshend.co.uk 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.
"It is easy for me to smile when I remember John. I loved him unconditionally. I will try hard not to fall into any of my usual mini-depressions on this tour. Pino is determined to enjoy the music, and so am I.
"We are musicians, entertainers. We can do it. We have the right tools. No worries."
Townshend added he and Daltrey did not expect Palladino to "emulate, parody or copy" Entwistle's audacious style.