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The Who's John Entwistle Dead 382

Posted by CmdrTaco from the put-on-my-red-boots-and-take-a-long-long-drive dept.
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.
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The Who's John Entwistle Dead More

The Who's John Entwistle Dead

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  • Hope I die before I get old. (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Starship Trooper ( 523907 ) on Thursday June 27, 2002 @06:30PM (#3783001) Homepage Journal
    (n/t)

    • I hope I outlive slashdot. (Score:1, Funny)

      by Anonymous Coward
      Someone should investigate VA Linux's accounting practices. I'm reasonably certain that I can buy slashdot between paychecks.

    • not me! (Score:4, Funny)

      by _ph1ux_ ( 216706 ) on Thursday June 27, 2002 @06:45PM (#3783165)
      I hope i get old before I die...

    • 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.
    • "I don't want to achieve immortality through my works. I want to achieve immortality by not dying." -Woody Allen
    • I sentence you to death penalty if you don't make it into old age.
  • I'd like to say that the Who was great. Its a sad thing to see that guy wasted.

  • Sorry, but... (Score:1, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward
    Who?!
  • English rock music has truly lost a great figure.

    He touched many lives, and his music will carry on his spirit.

    :(
  • It is always a sad thing to see talent leave us for the great beyond, (due to someone perhaps being in public schools reading this I dare not say Heaven).

    The Who was a great band. He will be missed. Let's all reflect on those great artists of all types that have all gone, but left us with great things. This isn't a time for arguement about music and bands, but a time for reflection and mourning for this man.

  • Rest in peace, Ox. (Score:5, Insightful)

    by uncoveror ( 570620 ) on Thursday June 27, 2002 @06:35PM (#3783060) Homepage
    I picked up a bass guitar when I was in College from 1997 to 1981 because of players like John Entwistle. I will miss him. I had to sell it in the summer of 96 when I was out of work, and needed to eat. I get a chuckle every time I see the video for My Generation. When Moon, Townshend, and Daltrey start smashing things, John cradled his bass like a baby, and stepped away from them. Rest in peace, Ox.

  • Ahhh, so now what do I do with my concert tickets for this tour?

    Thanks John, we'll be seein' ya ole chap, ya done good!
  • the spider.
    amazing bass tone.
  • Now we have three.

    Ann Landers - Talking girls out of going past 2nd base for years.

    Darryl Kyle - Tried to keep guys off of first base.

    John Entwhistle - More and more bass.

    How does Lance Bass pronouce his last name? And is he being shot off anytime soon? :-)

    B
    • "How does Lance Bass pronouce his last name? And is he being shot off anytime soon? :-)"

      They'll just replace him with the constant stock of animatronic dummy replicas they have on hand.
    • Much better that Steve and Garry were!
      That show was much about negative space (silences), similar to what Howard (Blecch!) Stern does.
      BORING!
      R&G have wonderful repartee' going every single day. They're not poseurs, and it shows.Their news guy is easily as funny as either one of them, but keeps it in his pants, when he's not on vacation (Hi,.Jim!).
      They're utterly genuine.
      you can listen to them at:
      http://play.rbn.com/?url=abcradiog2/wlsam/g2d emand / ls_dbclk.smil&proto=rtsp&ads=1
      check them out!

  • Sad day. (Score:4, Insightful)

    by standards ( 461431 ) on Thursday June 27, 2002 @06:37PM (#3783086)
    Some may say that this is not a slashdot topic.

    I agree.

    But the editors have determined that this is appropriate for the slashdot audience.

    I agree.

    It's another sad day. It's another hero that I'll miss.

    Best of luck to you John.

    • Not a Slashdot topic? Are you insane?

      Taco has made references to his "Who habit" ever since this site started. This is as much a Slashdot topic as any of that "Your Rights Online" crap.
    • Speaking of the late John Entwistle:

      Best of luck to you John.

      Ahem. It's a little late for that.

      The guy doesn't exist anymore ... alas.

  • I will never forget... (Score:4, Interesting)

    by wishlish ( 581421 ) on Thursday June 27, 2002 @06:38PM (#3783089) Homepage
    ...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.

  • Off topic (Score:2, Insightful)

    by Chris Siegler ( 3170 )
    Jon Postel I undertand; Stevens makes sense. But how does a guy who played the Bass qualify as News for Nerds?

  • Now he's up above my head (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Darth_brooks ( 180756 ) <clipper377@g[ ]l.com ['mai' in gap]> on Thursday June 27, 2002 @06:44PM (#3783162) Homepage
    Fare thee well John.

    "Boris The Spider"

    Look, he's crawling up my wall
    Black and hairy, very small
    Now he's up above my head
    Hanging by a little thread

    Boris the spider
    Boris the spider

    Now he's dropped on to the floor
    Heading for the bedroom door
    Maybe he's as scared as me
    Where's he gone now, I can't see

    Boris the spider
    Boris the spider

    Creepy, crawly
    Creepy, crawly
    Creepy, creepy, crawly, crawly
    Creepy, creepy, crawly, crawly
    Creepy, creepy, crawly, crawly
    Creepy, creepy, crawly, crawly

    There he is wrapped in a ball
    Doesn't seem to move at all
    Perhaps he's dead, I'll just make sure
    Pick this book up off the floor

    Boris the spider
    Boris the spider

    Creepy, crawly
    Creepy, crawly
    Creepy, creepy, crawly, crawly
    Creepy, creepy, crawly, crawly
    Creepy, creepy, crawly, crawly
    Creepy, creepy, crawly, crawly

    He's come to a sticky end
    Don't think he will ever mend
    Never more will he crawl 'round
    He's embedded in the ground

    Boris the spider
    Boris the spider
    • Truly an amazing bassist. Pity he didn't write more.

      "My Wife"

      My life's in jeopardy
      Murdered in cold blood is what I'm gonna be
      I ain't been home since Friday night
      And now my wife is coming after me

      Give me police protection
      Gonna buy a gun so
      I can look after number one
      Give me a bodyguard
      A back belt Judo expert with a machine gun

      Gonna buy a tank and an aeroplane
      When she catches up with me
      Won't be no time to explain
      She thinks I've been with another woman
      And that's enough to send her half insane
      Gonna buy a fast car
      Put on my lead boots
      And take a long, long drive
      I may end up spending all my money
      But I'll still be alive

      All I did was have a bit too much to drink
      And I picked the wrong precinct
      Got picked up by the law
      And now I ain't got time to think

      Gonna buy a tank and an aeroplane
      When she catches up with me
      Won't be no time to explain
      She thinks I've been with another woman
      And that's enough to send her half insane
      Gonna buy a fast car
      Put on my lead boots
      And take a long, long drive
      I may end up spending all my money
      But I'll still be alive

      And I'm oh so tired of running
      Gonna lay down on the floor
      I gotta rest some time so
      I can get to run some more

      She's comin'!
      She's comin'!

      • 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.

      • Actually, my favorite Entwistle tune seems more appropriate...

        Heaven and Hell

        On top of the sky is a place where you go if you've done nothing wrong,
        If you've done nothing wrong.

        And down in the ground is a place where you go if you've been a bad boy,
        If you've been a bad boy.

        Why can't we have eternal life,
        And never die,
        Never die?

        In the place up above you grow feather wings and you fly round and round,
        With a harp singing hymns.

        And down in the ground you grow horns and a tail and you carry a fork,
        And burn away.

        Why can't we have eternal life, And never die,

        Never die?

        I know you were a bad boy, John, but I think we know where you are...

        pete

  • *SIGH*

    I did get to see him play the single greatest bass line in all of Rock and Roll once.

    It was at a huge stadium in LA, but I was close enough to see the transparent spiderweb design on his bass during the solo but in _My Generation_. Of course that fact that he was talking to stage hand or someone as he played it flawlessly only added to my esteem for him.

    Creepy crawly creepy crawly...

    *SIGH*

    =tkk

  • Damn... (Score:2, Interesting)

    by octothorpe ( 34673 )
    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.
  • As long as Roger and Pete continue to play, The Who will be alive.

    The Ox will be missed. I also seem to be regretting not shelling out the $65 to see them on their last tour.
  • You have got to love a band that has an album called

    "Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy"

    Rest In Peace John :-(

  • Confusion (Score:2, Flamebait)

    by Azza ( 35304 )
    Taco, please tell me, because I'm confused. How can you think The Who is the greatest band of all time, and still like (or even listen to) Eminem? WTF?
  • I hope I don't get bitchslapped for this but I don't understand.

    CmdrTaco is a Who fan yet he disses the disc golfers? Doesn't make much sense considering we are one in the same audience.

    Sure some disc golfers might not be Who fans, yet they substitute with others like Zeppelin, Rush, etc, etc...
  • Were they any good? I saw them (or it might've been just Daltry) on TV not too long ago, and I was really unimpressed. Roger Daltrey in particular seemed more like Michael Bolton than his past self. It was nothing like the music of theirs that got me through high school (yeah, 20 years after it was released). I'm pissed that I never got a chance to see them live, but by the time I was old enough to drive, Keith Moon was long gone and they were well past their prime. Although I really enjoyed "It's Hard," I sometimes wish they would've grown more with the times, like say, King Crimson. But that's just me being selfish. I've actually heard tha Entwistle did some solo work though. Has anybody heard it? How is it?

    Anyhoo, even if they had released nothing more than Quadrophenia (their best, IMHO, and it also has Entwistle's best work on it) and spent the rest of their lives sipping mint juleps on a cottage by the beach, John (and the rest ot them when their time comes) will still be missed by me. Missed, with gratitude.

  • This brought to mind a quote from Pete Townsend (Score:4, Insightful)

    by roc_machine ( 314714 ) on Thursday June 27, 2002 @08:05PM (#3783710) Journal
    "My friends are dead! They may be your fucking icons but they're my fucking friends!"

  • Live At Leeds (Score:3, Insightful)

    by graveyhead ( 210996 ) <fletch@fletchtr[ ]cs.net ['oni' in gap]> on Thursday June 27, 2002 @08:15PM (#3783760)
    Everyone is hung up on Quadrophenia, but if you haven't already you should check out "Live At Leeds"... it is a fantastic album and really highlights The Who's ability to invoke raw emotion in an audience. Reminds me of Jim Morrison in that way, music that can shake you down to your bones...
    • There is a new release of Live at Leeds available at your local CD shop. "The Who - Live At Leeds - Deluxe Edition" is a two CD set. The first set is the original CD (set list below); the second was recorded at the same concert but, except for two tracks, hasn't been released until now. The second CD is the OTHER live performance of Tommy (the first being Live at the Isle of Whight).

      Live at Leeds is widely considered to be the finest live Who concert ever.

      CD 1:
      Heaven and Hell
      I Can't Explain
      Fortune Teller
      Tattoo
      Young Man Blues
      Substitute
      Happy Jack
      I'm A Boy
      A Quick One While He's Away
      Summertime Blues
      Shakin' All Over
      My Generation
      Magic Bus (without a doubt, the finest rendition of this song ever)

      CD 2:
      Overture
      It's A Boy
      1921
      Amazing Journey
      Sparks
      Eyesight To the Blind (The Hawker)
      Christmas
      The Acid Queen
      Pinball Wizard
      Do You Think It's Alright?
      Fiddle About
      Tommy Can You Hear Me?
      There's A Doctor
      Go To The Mirror
      Smash The Mirror
      Miracle Cure
      Sally Simpson
      I'm Free
      Tommy's Holiday Camp
      We're Not Gonna Take It

  • Ok, so it's in bad taste but I could not resist (Score:3, Funny)

    by btempleton ( 149110 ) on Thursday June 27, 2002 @08:19PM (#3783775) Homepage
    Did you have to put it in the headline of the story and spoil it for thus of us on the west coast who haven't read the news yet?

    (I'm originally from Toronto, the Who's favourite concert town, so don't flame me.)

  • John Entwhistle died today.

    After the end of period when the Beatles could
    still channel my adolescent angst and rage
    (a period doubtless extended with a fixation on
    John L.) and the start of the period
    when I realized the punk and arty new wave
    were the dynamic movements (or moments) of my generation
    and the place where I wanted to be, I had The Who.

    John Entwhistle was the first rock musician who
    inspired me (not that the inspiration took)
    purely in a musical sense. He
    was the only rock bassist to turn the bass guitar
    in a solo instrument thru sheer virtuosity
    (McCartney's bass, the only other bassist
    that ever made an impression on me*,
    could stand out by virtue of its melodiousness).

    He was a musical Atlas on which the band rested in part,
    and rhythmically he was an integral unit with the legendary
    Keith Moon. And this integration was necessary given that Moon,
    a great innovator,
    was turning the drums themselves into a kind of melodic instrument.

    I find it odd that some of the most grounded seeming of
    Sixties Rock Icons (John E. and George Harrisson) are dying
    off at these relatively young ages. They avoided the
    extravagance that killed off the Glorious Dead (Hendrix, Jones,
    Joplin, etc). Of course, maybe appearing low key in an art
    form based on explosive expressiveness implies that one has
    one of those unhealthy personalities that holds too much in.

    Or maybe it doesn't imply anything except, to quote Auden,
    "all the instruments agree, the day of his death was a dark
    cold day."

    * the one exception is Tony Visconti playing on Bowie's
    The Man Who Sold The World, especially songs like Width Of A Circle
    and Black Country Rock.
  • You can stop running now buddy...... You and your mates got me through high school. Thanks John
  • Everything is happening according to my grand design...just as I have forseen.

    Muahahahahahah!!!

  • I too loved the Who, and in fact picked my username because I knew it was one thing I had in common with CmdrTaco.

    Its great that many people in their teens and twenties recognize the fact that rock music is just not as good today as it once was. I defy you to name a single current band that has the power and creativity of The Who in their heydey. And they were but one of several.

    I salute Slashdot for pointing out the corruption in the music industry and pushing for a music scene that is less corporate-controlled and more vibrant and creative.

    This to me is definitely stuff that matters. Goodbye John, thanks for all the great tunes.

  • I met him once (Score:5, Funny)

    by I_am_Syrinx ( 461302 ) <(moc.liamtoh) (ta) (xnirys_ma_I)> on Thursday June 27, 2002 @09:30PM (#3784111)
    In March of '96, my company flew me to Chicago for a week on business. The first night I was there, one of my co-workers showed me around town. I saw the sights, and quite a few bars. We were staying at the Omni Ambassador East Hotel, so our last stop of the night was the Pump Room, the hotel restaurant and bar. We ordered some glasses of Cabernet at the bar, and settled down to discuss the agenda for the following day. As we were speaking, two gentleman and and a few ladies came in and took positions on bar stools very nearby to me. I looked over and recognized Mr. Entwhistle. After talking with my friend about the star-sighting, I asked the bartender what he was drinking, and if he would mind if I bought him one. She said she'd ask. A couple of minutes later, she stopped near him and motioned towards me. He looked over, I nodded my head and smiled, and he nodded back. He accepted the drink, and continued speaking with his friends. Being totally hammered from drinking all night, I thought that was pretty cool. A nod from a legendary rock star. Wow! A few more minutes passed, and we decided that we should probably get some sleep, since we actually had to work the next day. With my alcohol-soaked balls-of-steel, I took a pen and a "Pump Room" bar napkin and approached him. "Mr. Entwhistle?" I said. He looked at me with a bemused expression. "Yes?" he said. "I would like to thank you for the great music you and your band have put out over the years, and it's a pleasure to meet you. Could I please get your autograph?" I proferred him the pen and bar-nap. He took them, signed his name, and returned them to me. "Thank you very much," I said. "Quite alright," he replied. With that, my co-worker and I returned to our rooms, and passed out.

    The Who was supposed to play here (LA) in 2 days. It is a great loss to the fans of the band in particular, and to Rock and Roll in general. Mr. Entwhistle was a class act. Thanks for the memories.

    -Sy
  • Well, I guess I will have to celebrate the passing of another great musician to the Great Gig in the Sky.

    Us Celts believe that when a person dies, thet go to the Otherworld, a place that is better than this...think if your idealistic summer day, not too hot, not too cold. Many of your friends are there, and you meet other who become your friend. Then, when you are rested and ready to take on this World again, you are reborn here, which is why Celts mourn a birth.

    Damn, that must be a great jam session, John arriving there to see Jim Morrison and Jimmy Hendrix on stage, and suddenly the there is a sound from behind the drum kit, and Keith Moon comes storming out from behind the drums and gives John a bone crushing hug and says "I hate to see you here so soon, but I am going to love playing with you again!"

    ttyl
    Farrell
  • Several years ago, I saw Roger Daltry in concert with some orchestra.

    Guess who made a guest appearance?

    Listening to "My Wife" LIVE ranks as #1. Totally rocks. The Kids are Alright live cut is #2, and I can't stand the watered down studio cut. Some Who songs were just meant to be performed live.
  • I had hoped to see them play this summer....I do hope that the remaining two stick together though... Godspeed, John Entwistle. You, Elvis, John Lennon, George Harrison and Roy Orbison will make up one hell of a band up there.....
  • Don't raise your eye
    It's only teenage wasteland
  • Costello: Are you the manager?
    Abbott: Yes.
    Costello: And you don't know the fellows' names.
    Abbott: Well I should.
    Costello: Well then who's on stage?
    Abbott: Yes.
    Costello: I mean the band's name.
    Abbott: The Who.
    Costello: The guys on stage.
    Abbott: The Who.
    Costello: The first act.
    Abbott: The Who.
    Costello: The guy playing...
    Abbott: Who is on stage!
    Costello: I'm asking you who's on Stage.
    Abbott: That's the band's name.
    Costello: The Who's name?
    Abbott: Yes.
    Costello: Well go ahead and tell me.
    Abbott: That's it.
    Costello: The Who?
    Abbott: Yes.
  • I too was inspired to play bass by John Entwistle. The bass parts on every Who record are very powerful. He was an innovator. He was the first to use roundwound strings. Read the paragraph on a pack of RotoSound RS-66 strings, "Other bassists quickly followed his lead." He brought the bass out front and raised the bar. His unique, aggressive piano hammer right hand technique gave him the distinctive tone we associate with the Who. I saw the '75 tour in Greensboro. Moon was sober and in good form. He and Entwistle bulldozed their way through that show. Too this day, that rates as my favorite concert. Entwistle had no gimmicks. He was all about great playing.

    Long Live Rock!


  • On ABC's "World News Now" late-night news program they did a nice tribute to John, and a surprisingly long one for a mainstream media outlet. (I'd estimate about two minutes in a thirty-minus-commercials program.) They showed and played clips of the Who while they talked about his life.

    Also, right after their tribute came their weather segment, where they traditionally play music and show zoo clips while listing world-wide temperatures. This morning they played "Boris the Spider" during the clip, announcing it as one of John's songs before they started. (Also, amusingly, the zoo clip was of a small flock of penquins wandering through a town.)

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