ENTWISTLE DIED OF COCAINE-LINKED HEART ATTACK

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- John Entwistle, 57-year-old bass player for the rock band
The Who, died from a heart attack caused by cocaine use, the Clark County,
Nev., coroner said Thursday.

Coroner Ron Flud ruled the death accidental and said it was not an overdose.

"The heart attack we believe was brought on by the significant amount of
cocaine" that was in Entwistle's system at the time of death, he said.

The exact amount of the drug remains unknown.

"Cocaine is a different animal," Flud said.

"It's not like alcohol. There's no way we can put a number on it."

"You've got a lethal drug on board at the time you have a bad heart. That's
a bad combination."

Entwistle's body was found in his bed at the Hard Rock Hotel on June 27,
one day before the band was scheduled to kick off a three-month U.S. tour
at the hotel's concert hall.

Hotel officials declined comment Thursday. District Attorney Stewart Bell
said no criminal charges were anticipated.

"From a legal point of view, there isn't anything to be done because we
don't have anybody else who might be responsible," he said.

Entwistle was one of the band's founders. Another original member, drummer
Keith Moon, died in 1978 of a drug overdose at the age of 32. Authorities
said he took too many pills prescribed to control his alcoholism.

Entwistle's death was caused when cocaine caused the contraction of
coronary arteries that were already damaged by heart disease, Flud said.

After the death, a musician in Entwistle's own band said he had been on
medication for a heart condition.

The Who, founded in London in the early 1960s, was part of the British rock
invasion along with the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. Their parade of
hits included I Can See For Miles, I Can't Explain, Substitute, Pinball
Wizard, Won't Get Fooled Again and Who Are You.