John Entwistle Biography Quotes 20 Report mistakes

Early Life
John Alec Entwistle was born on October 9, 1944, in Chiswick, West London, into a household where music was part of everyday life. His father had played trumpet and his mother piano, and the young Entwistle studied piano before moving to trumpet and French horn, developing a disciplined sense of pitch and breath control. At Acton County Grammar School he met Pete Townshend, a friendship that would shape British rock. Entwistle played in early ensembles with Townshend, moving from brass to guitar and then bass as he sought an instrument that left room for his musical voice. His brass training later proved invaluable: he could read music, arrange parts, and think orchestrally, skills unusual for a rock bassist of his era.

Formation of The Who
By the early 1960s Entwistle had joined Roger Daltrey's local band, the Detours, and he encouraged Daltrey to recruit Townshend. With the addition of the explosive drummer Keith Moon, the group found its identity and, guided by the managerial duo Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp, became the Who. Entwistle's quiet, implacable stage presence contrasted with Townshend's windmilling guitar and Moon's wild percussion. He anchored the band with remarkable stamina, earning the nickname "The Ox", while his right-hand speed and clarity prompted another moniker, "Thunderfingers".

Breakthrough and the 1960s
The Who's early singles, produced in part by Shel Talmy, put the band on the map. On "My Generation", Entwistle's aggressive, melodic bass solo announced a new role for the instrument in rock music. He soon emerged as a distinctive songwriter within the band, contributing darkly comic and macabre tunes such as "Boris the Spider" and "Whiskey Man". His ability to arrange for horns gave breadth to the Who's sound; he played French horn and other brass on records and advised on parts that expanded the group beyond guitar-bass-drums.

1970s: Ambition and Maturity
As the Who moved into ambitious projects like Tommy and Quadrophenia, Entwistle's musicianship deepened the sonic palette. Live, he powered the group's roaring sound at Leeds and beyond, while in the studio he wrote "My Wife", "Success Story", "Heaven and Hell", and other songs that showcased his wry perspective and precise time feel. He drew the cover art for The Who by Numbers, a reminder of his talent as a visual artist. Producer Glyn Johns worked with the band on landmark recordings in this era. After Keith Moon's death in 1978, Kenney Jones joined on drums, and manager Bill Curbishley steered the group through a new phase that included Face Dances and It's Hard.

Solo Work and Side Projects
Parallel to the Who, Entwistle built a solo catalog that began in the early 1970s. Albums such as Smash Your Head Against the Wall, Whistle Rymes, Rigor Mortis Sets In, Mad Dog, and Too Late the Hero presented his sardonic humor, love of layered arrangements, and interest in themes few rock songwriters touched. He led his own touring units in the 1980s and 1990s, performing theaters and clubs with a setlist that mixed solo material with Who deep cuts. He also recorded live albums and compilations that documented his approach outside the huge frame of the Who.

Technique, Sound, and Instruments
Entwistle treated the bass as a lead voice without abandoning its foundational role. He favored a bright, piano-like attack, controlled with a meticulous right hand and a singing upper-register tone; he often used roundwound strings and high-powered amplification to cut through the mix. His lines interlocked with Keith Moon's free‑ranging drumming and Pete Townshend's chords, creating a three‑way conversation in which the bass carried countermelodies, chord outlines, and percussive punctuation. He collaborated with instrument makers over the years and was known for collecting and maintaining a large stable of basses and amplifiers.

Later Years and Death
The Who regrouped for major tours in 1989 and again in the mid-to-late 1990s, with Zak Starkey frequently on drums, and Entwistle's authority at high volume remained undimmed. He balanced these reunions with his own projects and art. On June 27, 2002, while in Las Vegas on the eve of a Who tour of North America, he died at age 57. A coroner reported a heart attack with cocaine as a contributing factor. In the immediate aftermath, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey chose to continue the tour as a tribute, bringing in Pino Palladino on bass. The decision underscored Entwistle's centrality to the band and the difficulty of replacing his singular voice.

Personal Life
Entwistle married Alison Wise in 1967; they had one son, Christopher, and later divorced. Away from the stage he was a devoted draftsman and cartoonist who sold prints and designed art, most famously the cover for The Who by Numbers. Friends and colleagues often recalled his dry wit, reserve, and professionalism, which balanced the more extroverted personalities around him. He was also a dedicated collector of instruments and memorabilia, evidence of a lifelong fascination with the tools and history of his craft.

Recognition and Legacy
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Who in 1990, John Entwistle is widely cited by musicians and critics as one of the most influential bassists in rock history. His "lead bass" conception reshaped expectations for the instrument, bridging rhythm and melody with ironclad time and daring harmony. The ensemble of figures around him, Roger Daltrey's commanding voice, Pete Townshend's compositional vision, Keith Moon's volcanic drums, and the guidance of Kit Lambert, Chris Stamp, Glyn Johns, and Bill Curbishley, provided the context in which his gifts could be heard. Yet his contributions stand on their own: unforgettable lines, inventive songs, and a tone and touch that remain a benchmark for players across generations.

Our collection contains 20 quotes who is written by John, under the main topics: Music - Writing - Dog - Career - Ocean & Sea.

Other people realated to John: Billy Sheehan (Musician), Geddy Lee (Musician)