$10,000 Damage at Bonaventure

The Who arrested after rampage

By Victor Riding

Thirty-five people, including the four members of the British rock group The Who, were released from police custody this afternoon after spending seven hours in cells for allegedly damaging a Bonaventure Hotel suite overnight.

Police said they were released to catch a flight to Boston, where the group performs tonight. The Who played at the Forum last night to a crowd of 20,000 people.

A police spokesman said that it is still not known what charges, if any, will be laid.

The Who still on top of rock. Page D-3.

The group has agreed to pay for the damages, the spokesman added.

Hotel manager Fern Roberge said the damage was caused about 5 a.m.

"Our other customers, who were trying to sleep heard some loud noise and banging and called our front desk. Our security guard went down to the room and saw about 20 people inside who had apparently done the damage," he said.

Police were called and about a dozen officers managed to collar 35 people associated with the rock group, a police spokesman said. They included technicians and musicians who travel with the group.

Mr. Roberge said a television set, chairs, a couch, paintings and a section of the suite's wall were damaged.

"We are still tabulating the replacement cost for the articles damaged or destroyed and we won't know the exact amount of damage for a day or so," he added. The police report estimated damages at $10,000.

The 35 people were all taken to Station 10 on de Maisonneuve Boulevard but 12 of them were later transferred to a nearby station because there wasn't enough room.

It took police 90 minutes to book those arrested.

Among those taken into custody were Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, Roger Daltry and Keith Moon, the four musicians that make up The Who.

During last night's performance, about a dozen youths were taken to hospital for treatment after taking drugs. About 20 youths were arrested after the show for possession of drugs.