Despite the death of bassist John Entwistle on Thursday, the Who will continue their 2002 tour, including a July 4 concert at the AutoWest Amphitheatre.

Entwistle, a co-founding member of the legendary British rock band, was found dead of an apparent heart attack in a Las Vegas hotel room.

The group was scheduled to kick off its three-month tour Friday at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. In the wake of Entwistle’s death, the Who cancelled its Las Vegas show and a concert today in Irvine. The tour resumes Monday in Hollywood.

Entwistle will be replaced by British bassist Pino Palladino, who has worked with Who guitarist Pete Townshend.

Roger Daltrey and Townshend, the two surviving members of the Who, remain with the band. Original drummer Keith Moon died of a drug overdose in 1978.

Though Entwistle was known for his stone-faced stage presence, his groundbreaking bass work was key to the Who’s sound. Entwistle also wrote such Who staples as “Boris the Spider” and “My Wife.”

“Both Daltrey and Townshend view the tour as a ‘tribute to John Entwistle,’ and to the loss of an irreplaceable friend,” said Bill Curbishley, the Who’s manager, in a statement. “The Entwistle family is in full support of the decision to continue and feel this is what John would have wanted.”

According to Clear Channel Entertainment, the promoters of the AutoWest Amphitheatre show, ticket refunds will not be granted since the concert was never canceled. Tickets are still available, with prices ranging from $32.75 to $157.75.

“We have worked with The Who over the last 30 years and believe they have always had a great sense of the right thing to do,” said Gregg Perloff, president of Bill Graham Presents/Clear Channel Entertainment Music West, in a statement. “We wholeheartedly support Pete and Roger’s decision.”

For more information, call Ticketmaster at (916) 649-8497.

The Bee’s Chris Macias can be reached at (916) 321-1253 or cmacias@sacbee.com.