Slashdot Mirror
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.
...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.
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.
Quod scripsi, scripsi.