John Entwistle, famously known as “The Ox” and “Thunderfingers,” was the legendary bassist for the iconic rock band The Who. Born on October 9, 1944, in Chiswick, West London, John Entwistle’s musical genius was instrumental in shaping The Who’s distinctive and powerful sound. His innovative approach to the bass guitar, characterized by rapid fingerwork and melodic lines, cemented his place as one of the most influential bassists in rock history. Voted “Bassist of the Millennium” by Musician magazine at the close of the 20th century, John Entwistle’s legacy continues to inspire musicians worldwide.
John Entwistle performing live with The Who, showcasing his legendary bass playing skills and stage presence.
Entwistle’s musical journey began in a musically inclined family, providing him with a solid foundation in music theory and performance. He received formal training, starting with the French horn, which he played with the Middlesex Youth Orchestra. This classical background, combined with the burgeoning energy of rock and roll, shaped his unique musical perspective. Inspired by Duane Eddy, known for his distinctive “twangy” low-register guitar sound, John Entwistle transitioned from the trumpet to the bass guitar. He even crafted his own bass guitar, demonstrating his early dedication to the instrument. In his formative years, he honed his skills in school bands like The Confederates and The Scorpions, alongside a young Pete Townshend, foreshadowing their future collaboration in The Who.
In 1961, John Entwistle’s musical path intersected with Roger Daltrey, a fellow student from Acton County Grammar school. Daltrey invited Entwistle to join his band, The Detours. Recognizing Pete Townshend’s talent, John Entwistle was instrumental in bringing him into The Detours six months later. This pivotal decision laid the groundwork for the formation of The Who in 1964. This lineup, featuring John Entwistle, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, and Keith Moon, would go on to revolutionize rock music.
John Entwistle’s bass playing was a defining element of The Who’s groundbreaking sound. He pioneered a lead bass style, moving beyond traditional rhythmic foundations to create melodic and dynamic bass lines. While Pete Townshend provided the rhythmic guitar foundation, Entwistle’s bass often soared into higher registers, adding a counter-melody and harmonic richness rarely heard in rock music at the time. His ability to maintain unwavering timing, even amidst Keith Moon’s famously explosive and unpredictable drumming, was crucial to The Who’s powerful and cohesive performances.
“My Generation,” The Who’s iconic third single, prominently featured a groundbreaking bass solo by John Entwistle. This solo is considered one of the first of its kind on a rock record, further solidifying his reputation as a bass innovator. Despite his virtuosic playing and crucial role in the band’s dynamic, John Entwistle presented a starkly contrasting stage persona to his bandmates. While Pete Townshend was known for his energetic leaps and guitar windmills, Keith Moon for his flamboyant drumming, and Roger Daltrey for his charismatic frontman presence, John Entwistle remained remarkably still on stage. He was the quiet observer, the stoic anchor, his fingers a blur of motion across the fretboard while he maintained an outwardly impassive demeanor. This contrast became part of The Who’s stage dynamic, highlighting Entwistle’s focused musicianship amidst the band’s explosive energy.
As The Who’s repertoire expanded, John Entwistle’s role grew beyond bass playing. He contributed his songwriting talents to the band, adding a darker, often macabre, dimension to their music. Starting with tracks like “Whisky Man” and the darkly humorous “Boris The Spider” from the A Quick One album (1966), Entwistle’s songwriting contributions became a distinctive feature of The Who’s albums. He continued with songs like “Doctor, Doctor,” “Someone’s Coming,” “Silas Stingy,” and the menacing “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.” “Heaven And Hell,” another Entwistle composition, became a powerful opening number for The Who’s live shows from 1968 to 1970, showcasing his heavier musical inclinations. Pete Townshend even specifically requested John to write “nasty songs” for their rock opera Tommy (1969), resulting in the unsettling tracks “Cousin Kevin” and “Fiddle About.” “My Wife,” from the Who’s Next album (1971), a humorous rocker about marital discord, became another popular Entwistle-penned stage favorite.
While his bandmates eventually moved away from London as The Who’s success grew, John Entwistle remained connected to his West London roots. He married his childhood sweetheart, Alison Wise, in 1967 and established his home in Acton. His home became a reflection of his eccentric personality, filled with an eclectic collection of unusual items, from suits of armor to a pet tarantula. This fascination with the bizarre and unusual persisted throughout his life. When he relocated to Stow-on-the-Wold in Gloucestershire in 1975, his 17-bedroom mansion, Quarwood, became legendary for its museum-like atmosphere. Medieval suits of armor greeted visitors, a Quasimodo effigy hung from the hall’s bell rope, and a human skeleton casually reclined in a Regency chair. Quarwood also housed one of the most extensive guitar collections owned by any rock musician, a testament to John Entwistle’s lifelong passion for music and instruments.
John Entwistle’s musical prowess continued to evolve throughout his career. His bass work on tracks like “The Real Me” from Quadrophenia and “Dreaming From The Waist” from The Who By Numbers (1975) are considered among his most memorable performances. Beyond The Who, Entwistle explored his own musical avenues, releasing his first solo album, Smash Your Head Against The Wall, in 1971. This album, showcasing his dark humor and distinctive songwriting, gained him a cult following, particularly in the United States. He followed up with several more solo studio albums, including Whistle Rymes, Rigor Mortis Sets In, Mad Dog, Too Late The Hero, and The Rock. He also curated Odds & Sods in 1974, a compilation of Who outtakes and rarities. During The Who’s periods of inactivity, Entwistle toured with his own band, Ox, and later The John Entwistle Band in the 1990s. He also joined Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band in 1995, further demonstrating his versatility and enduring appeal. Adding another dimension to his creative talents, John Entwistle was also a skilled visual artist, regularly exhibiting his paintings, many featuring The Who, and even designing the cover art for The Who By Numbers.
In the later years of his career, John Entwistle continued to tour with a revitalized, leaner version of The Who. This lineup, featuring Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, keyboardist John “Rabbit” Bundrick, and Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr’s son), showcased The Who’s enduring power to both longtime fans and new generations of music lovers. Entwistle’s extended bass solo during “5.15” became a highlight of these later concerts, and footage of these performances has been incorporated into Who concerts after his passing.
John Entwistle tragically passed away on June 27, 2002, in Las Vegas on the eve of The Who’s North American tour, due to a heart attack. Despite the profound loss, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend made the decision to continue the tour, bringing in session bassist Pino Palladino to fill Entwistle’s irreplaceable role. John Entwistle’s impact on music, and particularly on the role of the bass guitar in rock, remains immense. “The Ox,” the quiet, stoic musician at the back of the stage, whose fingers moved like lightning, left an indelible mark on rock history and continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest bassists of all time.
