funeral story

[Christy Espy <christywaite@xxxxxxxxx>]

Here's a clip on the funeral -

Christy


The Who Sends Off Entwistle 
by Eric Greene 
Jul 10, 2002, 3:30 PM PT 

The Who paid final respects to one of its own
Wednesday. 

The band's surviving two members, Pete Townshend and
Roger Daltrey, took a break from their North American
tour and flew to England to bid farewell to John
Entwistle at a private funeral service in the
bassist's hometown of Stow-on-the-Wold,
Gloucestershire. 

Townshend and Daltrey joined onetime bandmate Kenney
Jones, who substituted for Keith Moon after the
drummer's death in 1978, and dozens of Entwistle's
family and friends to mourn the loss of the musician
known simply as "The Ox." 

Hundreds of fans gathered outside St. Edward's Church
as Entwistle's coffin was carried inside followed by a
procession that included Entwistle's adult son,
Christopher, and his girlfriend, Lisa
Pritchard-Johnson. 

The church's entrance was surrounded by several floral
arrangements, including one reading "RIP Ox," and
arrangements shaped like a bass guitar and a champagne
bottle were spotted inside the hearse, according to
the BBC. 

The Reverend Colin Wilson, who presided over the
service, noted that the stoic musician is now
"reunited with Keith up there making great music." 

"I think he would want us all to be strong,
determined, unafraid of the future, ready to meet
every challenge, to believe in ourselves and in each
other," said Wilson. 

Loudspeakers broadcasted the solemn service--which
included two hymns and a poetry reading--to the throng
outside. 

Daltrey and Townshend were seen embracing as they
exited the church. 

Entwistle was found dead of an apparent heart attack
in a Las Vegas hotel room on June 27, just one day
before the group had planned to kick off their latest
tour. He was 57 years old. 

According to Entwistle's Website, a public memorial
service in London is planned for later this year, but
no details have been announced. 

Townshend and Daltrey, who decided to press on with
the tour as a tribute to their fallen friend, resume
their performances July 26 in Mansfield,
Massachusetts. 
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