Firstly an acknowledgment: I am grateful to Dana Wiffen, former Track Records employee, who provided the photograph above and the story and poem about John that appear at the bottom of this page.
Secondly, I am grateful to a contributor whom I know only as algallardo for sending me two illustrations of John, one of which appears in "My photos".
Thirdly, in the days following John's death the guest book on his website became an unofficial book of condolence. After the coroner's report it became an unofficial bulletin board, where people debated whether or not John had let The Who and their fans down by the manner of his death. I do not believe that John's website was an appropriate place for this debate to take place, and I resisted the temptation to join in. I also do not believe that a tribute page is the appropriate place for me to express opinions on the manner of John's death. This page is intended as a tribute to a wonderful musician whose music has given me - and I hope will continue to give me - a great deal of pleasure over the years.
If any of you are expecting to leave this site in tears over the loss of probably the greatest bass player in the world I hope you are in for a pleasant surprise. Whilst I am sad about John's death, it is my intention to celebrate his life on this page. Indeed I do not want this to be a temporary tribute to be removed after a period of mourning - as long as I have a web site I intend having a tribute to John Entwistle on it.
So what was so special about John Entwistle? The first thing that comes to my mind is that he was the first bass player who refused to use his instrument as a rhythm instrument. John played the bass as a lead guitar. This was demonstrated to stunning effect on The Who Live at Leeds, but the best example provides an amusing story. The story goes that John went into the studio during the recording of Quadrophenia and was invited to listen to a song - The Real Me - for the first time and join in when he felt comfortable. John immediately started playing the bass as a lead guitar, allegedly for his own amusement as he was merely becoming acquainted with the song. He left the studio and said he was ready to go back in and record his bass part for the album, only to receive the reply 'We've done it. We were recording while you were in there.' John's bass starts so early in the song, it's tempting to conclude that this story is apocryphal - but it's such a good story I want it to be true!
Apart from stunning bass guitar playing John wrote numerous songs, both for The Who and his own solo work. His early songs showed an unusual sense of humour - similar to my own in fact - containing as they did characters as diverse as spiders, imaginary drinking friends, peeping Toms, and the Devil! He also played musical styles that The Who would not dare try: Mad Dog contains a song (Who in the Hell) that would have slotted quite easily into an episode of The Beverley Hillbillies performed by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs (my apologies to those of you too young to understand this reference). His third solo album Rigor Mortis Sets In was a Rock and Roll album, featuring several self-penned songs and several classics (including, naturally, Mr Bassman). (Aside: I've never understood why The Who were referred to as a Rock and Roll group. 1950s Rock and Roll has a swing to it, that makes it more closely related to Jazz than the music we call Rock today. I'll get off my soapbox now and return to the tribute to John.) As The Who recorded less, John's solo output became more Who-like, presumably to satisfy deprived Who fans. His 1981 album Too Late The Hero contains several songs that would not have been out of place on a Who album, and his last two efforts Left for Live and Music from Van-Pires contain songs that I can imagine Roger singing. Particular highlights on Van-Pires are When the sun comes up, Darker Side of Night, and Horror Rock.
I hope that once the Who tour of USA is finished Pete and Roger go ahead with the original plan to tour the UK. Whether they should do this as The Who or as Townshend and Daltrey is a decision for them, but either way I hope to see them on stage together again. I know it could never be the same - there would be no Boris the Spider, or My Wife, or Trick of the Light and 5:15 will never be the same without that amazing bass guitar solo that John did on the last two tours. Or, as Pete says on the 'Blues to the Bush' album, "You're not just playing one solo there are you John? I think he's playing seven solos at the same time!"
In concluding my tribute, I confess to being glad that John's death occurred the way it did. Every time I saw The Who (13 in all with four different drummers) as soon as the last note faded away, John was smoking. I have no idea how much John smoked, but the fact that he couldn't even wait till he was in the dressing room suggests he was a heavy smoker. I think about what George Harrison went through, with cancer destroying his lungs, throat, and brain for a period of months. I am very grateful that John went to bed one night expecting to play on stage with The Who next day, and instead didn't wake up. Sad, but it could have been far worse.
If you're somehow able to see this tribute John, thanks for all the happiness your music has given me.
"Why can't we have eternal life and never die"
Mark Syder July 2002
Addendum: I did see Pete and Roger again, still using the name The Who, at the NIA in Birmingham on 7 June 2004. Even without Moonie and the Ox, they're still worth seeing if you get the chance. I have since seen them at the Summer Pops in Liverpool in July 2006 and am writing this the night before I see them again at Knowsley Hall (walking distance from my house).
As promised, Dana's story and poem follow:
I worked for Track Records from about 1970-75, and have several memories of John, One is during the press/promo of his solo album "Rigor Mortis Sets In" by his band Rigor Mortis.
Track hired "The Marque" in Wardour Street, and John and his band (which included Tony Ashton) rehearsed for several hours before the press arrived, the bar was open and the band got very drunk.
When the doors were opened for the press launch of the album, It looked as if John would not be up for much, but in true tradition he got his self together and proceeded to give a thunderous set with his band.
I have heard that there could be some new songs written for the new album THE WHO were going to record in October, lets hope Roger & Pete record these and more in his honour, what a great player and guy.
Remember John was at his happiest touring especially with THE WHO, so he would have been very happy to be going on the road in the States, and even happier to be going into the studio in October.
Perhaps a title for any new album could be THE BASS-THE OX-THE BEST!
He stood there on the left of stage, his huge frame and guitar,
While his fingers were a blur, in his eyes you could see a star,
He kept the rythmn and filled the gaps and occasionally cracked a smile,
I'm sure he almost moved just once as the band sang "I can see for miles",
Now he has gone where there's endless clouds and the brightest lights and peace,
and I'm sure he could well form a band,with an old friend called Keith
..............................D.Wiffen (Ex-Track Records)Eltham, London.