What's so special about John Entwistle?

[Gaolee]

I didn't read the thread. But, like several people who posted on the first page - The Real Me.

That song, as much as anything, cemented me as a bass player about 40 years ago. I still haven't learned how to play it. (In my defense, I haven't worked on it, but just saying.)

 

[waynobass]

I'm not the biggest rock fan out there...

What else is there?

Jazz?

 

[john_g]

I didnt read all the replies, and I dont know how old OP is, but alot of times people who only saw what came after dont get how revolutionary some things were at the time. No one was playing like him in rock back then. Sure 50 years later and all these people who built upon what he and others like him started can make it seem ordinary. Im not even the biggest Who fan. We play Real Me in my band and its alot of fun as its one big bass solo.

 

[Rob Martinez]

Yes. You are missing something.

 

[TheReceder]

Have to thank the OP for starting this thread... It gave me another reason to take a look at Thunderfingers.

If anyone is interested this website has a great run down of the gear that John Entwistle used. There's a lot of stuff he used that I also owned that I'd sold and would love to still have today... but I can't imagine playing through the monstrous rig he used back in their heyday. Absolutely deafening.
John Entwistle Gear | John Entwistle Bass Gear | Whotabs

 

[Tubehed]

Well he was using coke right up until he died. And all of them were big boozers I don’t care what Roger says.

Keith was crazy. John was definitely a weirdo and Pete was traumatized by childhood sexual abuse. And they all loved booze pills and cigarettes.

I'm surprised to hear this. They must have been the only rock band who weren't well adjusted people with no substance abuse problems.

 

[2F/2F]

Good musical taste. You are missing that.

 

[Playbyear]

Entwhistle was the first player that I heard with tapping and triplets.

 

[MDBass]

I'm not the biggest rock fan out there, but I can see why people like John Paul Jones, John Deacon, Geezer Butler and the likes.

I can even see why people like Cliff Burton, although I think he's seriously overrated.

But I don't understand why John Entwistle is so highly regarded here on TalkBass and in the media. I listened to The Who's top songs on Spotify and watched a few videos on YouTube. Sure, he has that sort of tapping technique and a few fills on "My Generation," but is that it? I guess he did come before Jones et al., making him a pioneer?

I'm being serious here. I'm not trolling. What am I missing?

Anyone who was among the first to ever do something like Entwhistle was, in his case a number of firsts, is going to be highly regarded by anyone with a good grasp of history regardless of if their achievements have been objectively eclipsed in the years to follow.

Many of the players who have since surpassed the legacy in terms of skill and proficiency might never have existed at all without that legacy’s influence.

 

[Killing Floor]

He did most of it without tort.

 

[Kukulkan61]

 

[Ric5]

Thanks. You just made my night.

ya that is a sweet version of that song

 

[HolmeBass]

If John could respond he would ask:

"Can you see the real me?"

That track alone should suffice as an answer.

This, this song cemented his legend for me. His playing on this is ferocious.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Anyone who was among the first to ever do something like Entwhistle was, in his case a number of firsts, is going to be highly regarded by anyone with a good grasp of history regardless of if their achievements have been objectively eclipsed in the years to follow.

Many of the players who have since surpassed the legacy in terms of skill and proficiency might never have existed at all without that legacy’s influence.

And most of the really good ones freely admit they are standing on the shoulders of giants. And quite a few will mention John as one of the giantest.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

He did most of it without tort.

 

[BAG]

Ahhhh.... let's see......

I didn't know he ever used a pick........ but then i've never really known that much about his playing.

 

[uwrossl]

Entwistle was probably one of the few players that could find his way through the mess Keith Moon tended to make out of the drums and create some killer bass lines.

 

[Gizmot]

I never saw The Who but I saw John play live a couple of times with Ringo’s All Star Band. All I can say is WOW! His sound was incredible and instead of pushy the beat, he played notes and chords that made what the rest of the band played quite a bit better.

 

[Pings Bass]

Might as well say "what's so great about rock bass." I mean I hear ya, but for people who like that kind of thing, that's the kind of thing they like.

 

[WorkingBassHero]

Three words: Live At Leeds. Period.