The Who's John Entwistle Dead

crazyj was among several Slashdot readers who, knowing my obsession with the greatest band of all time, submitted that The Who's John Entwistle died. His death occured one day before the start of their summer tour. The Ox was an amazing bassist, and I'm glad I got to see him play. Those fingers would just fly up that fretboard. He'll be missed.

I will never forget...

[wishlish]

...the blistering bass workout on "The Real Me" on Quadrophenia. When I was going through serious issues with depression, this was my one of my favorite songs to slap on some headphones and just blast into my noggin. Between Daltrey's angry vocals, Moon's frantic drumming, Townsend's strumming, and Entwistle holding the whole thing together with an absolutely unbelievable performance, that song got me through many a rough night. It's a really sad day. John, here's to you. You'll be missed.

Damn...

[octothorpe]

The first rock concert I ever went to was the Who at Madison Square Garden in 1979. It's still just about the best concert I've been too. I was deaf for two days and grinning for a week after. I still have the ticket and do you know what the price was? $9.50! And they were good seats!

Oh well, Rest in Peace, Ox.

Re:+5

[bluethundr]

This was a real jolt, this realization. He was one of the main reasons I started playing bass at the tender age of 13 and spent many a year playing in punk, jazz and ambient musical projects. At the age of 33 Bass playing is still one of my most satisfying forms of catharses and I still love the who.
I will also never forget the time I brought the guy a cup of tea when he made an appearance at a radio station I was working in while I was in college. We had a nice chat, and I told him of the importance of his music to me and of my passion for playing inspired in no small part by him. He was a true, almost stereotypical 'English Gentleman' and I will always hold that experience very dear to my heart.
I am genuinely saddened by this news.

Re:Hope I die before I get old.

[lasertech]

Having listened to the Who since the early 70's; John Entwistle is one of the reasons I learned to play bass. I guess I'll spend the next few days lisening to some Who cds and more importantly listening to the only Entwistle solo album I have; "Too Late the Hero". I guess to me, the title seems somewhat appropriate.

Re:And I'm oh so tired of running.

[hondo77]

Pity he didn't write more.

He did, actually. He put out several solo albums in the 70's. They're all great and I highly recommend them. Some of them are already on CD and I think the rest will be. Either way there is a 'Best of' CD out. Good stuff.

The best comment on John's writing I've seen was along the lines of, "He had the misfortune of being a good songwriter in a band with a great one."

Thanks for the music, Ox.