TORONTO -- The Who's John Entwistle-less Tour wrapped up last night at the Air Canada Centre with 2 hours and 15 minutes of passionate, loud and often exciting music that went a long way towards explaining why the seminal rock band was on the road in the first place.

Both original singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend came under fire in some quarters when they decided to go ahead with their latest roadtrip in early July despite the death of founding bassist Entwistle just days earlier from a heart attack at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

At the time, Daltrey and Townshend -- who also toured after the 1978 death of drummer Keith Moon -- said they were going ahead with the approval of the bass player's family. They also just may have not known what else to do but soldier on.

An acknowledgement of the legendary bassist's death came right before the concert with a statement from JBL Speakers, followed by a quote from Entwistle himself shown on two video screens.

That was followed by video of the band practising at Townshend's house back in June, mere weeks before Entwistle's death.

Later, images of Entwistle's face throughout the band's 39 year history was displayed on the screens right before the encore to huge applause from the crowd.

Fortunately, given the weight of Entwistle's death hanging over them, neither Daltrey, 58, nor Townshend, 57, disappointed last night as the group's longtime focal points.

Daltrey spun and danced around the stage, occasionally whipping his microphone, while Townshend delivered his trademark windmill move and some truly breathtaking solos during Who Are You, Bargain, Baba O' Riley, 5:15, Behind Blue Eyes andWon't Get Fooled Again. The sold-out audience of 13,000, meanwhile, didn't have time to dislike the taste of anything with four seminal Who hits -- I Can't Explain, Substitute, Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere and Who Are You --kicking off the concert in quick and wonderful succession.

Last-minute bass replacement Pino Palladino, meanwhile, was perfectly adept on his instrument and respectfully hugged the back speakers to maintain a low-key presence. But The Ox, as Entwistle was affectionately known, was definitely missed as The Who's anchor man, particularly his signature solo on My Generation.

Otherwise, Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey did his papa proud, expertly beating up his drum kit during Won't Get Fooled Again, Sparks and See Me, Feel Me while Townshend's brother, Simon, sang backup vocals and played guitar alongside keyboardist John "Rabbit" Bundrick.

The Who, who played their "final" concert at Maple Leaf Gardens back in 1982, have come to designate Toronto as the place to either begin or end their tours. Whether or not he and Daltrey will continue on as The Who -- now that they've proven they can successfully tour as a twosome --remains to be seen.

JAM! Rating: 4 out of 5 (More on The Who)