Posted on 04/05/2020 7:27:48 PM PDT by DoodleBob
On April 7, Hachette Books will release British writer Paul Rees's new book, "The Ox: The Authorized Biography Of John Entwistle". The book is described by the publisher as "the definitive, no-holds-barred biography of John Entwistle, THE WHO's legendary bass guitarist."
It is an unequivocal fact that in terms of rock bands, THE BEATLES, THE ROLLING STONES and THE WHO represent Year Zero; the beginning of all things, ground-breakers all. To that incontrovertible end, Entwistle remains an enigmatic yet undeniably influential figure, renowned as much for his immense talent as for his gloriously oversized-seeming character. However, unlike his fellow musicians, Entwistle has yet to be the subject of a major biography. In the years since his death, his enduring legacy has been carefully guarded by his loved ones, preventing potential biographers from gaining close enough access to write a definitive account of his extraordinary life until now. For the first time, and with the full co-operation of the Entwistle family, "The Ox" shines a long overdue light on one of the most important figures in rock history.
Drawing on his own notes for an unfinished autobiography that he started before his death in 2002, as well as his personal archives and interviews with his family and friends, "The Ox" gives readers a never-before-seen glimpse into the two very distinct poles of John Entwistle. On the one hand, he was the rock star incarnate larger than life, self-obsessed to a fault, and proudly and almost defiantly so. Extravagant with money, he famously shipped vintage American cars across the Atlantic without having so much as a driver's license, built exponentially bigger and grandiose bars into every home he owned, and amassed an extraordinary collection of possessions, from armor and weaponry to his patented Cuban-heel boots. But beneath this fame and flutter, he was also a man of simple tastes and traditional opinions. He was a devoted father and family man who loved nothing more than to wake up to a full English breakfast, or to have a supper of fish, chips, and a pint at his local pub.
After his untimely death, many of these stories were shuttered away into the memories of his family and friends. At long last, "The Ox" introduces us to the man behind the myth the iconic and inimitable John Entwistle.
Chris Entwistle, John's son, said: "The first, last and only authorized biography of Dad. Meticulously researched, interviewed and written. Often funny, sometimes painful. It's a 'warts 'n' all' insight into the life of John 'The Ox' Entwistle."
You can read a book excerpt at this location.
Wow.
Now those were tough times.
“Their union didnt survive the end of the war. Inevitably, Herbert returned home a changed man. His elder brother, who had traveled with him to Liverpool to enlist, was on the HMS Hood when it was sunk by the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941, killing all but three hands. On Renown in the South Atlantic, the crew had endured months on an enforced starvation diet which left Herbert requiring long-term hospital treatment. Apart for almost all of their first four years of marriage, when Herbert and Queenie came back together, they found that they hardly even knew each other. Their only child was eighteen months old when they separated; Herbert moved into a lodging house and would visit his son at Southfield Road every Friday night.”
great musician. immense talent. he was better on bass than most lead guitarists.
Oh, Blabbermouth actually published something in between Sebastian Bach’s anti-Trump brain droppings?
Dude got old. Die, like you said.
1967
The Who on the Smothers Brothers TV show. ...you must watch the ending. . classic Who.
https://youtu.be/86Mkvnd-gjw
Wouldnt think there was much
I was quiet
Never smashed my bass
Sand a song about a spider named Boris
Pissed my money away
Did alot of blow and died of a heart attack
....but unlike Pete, never surfed for kiddie porn!
Sorry, couldn't resist. 8>)
They were known for this kind of nonsense, as if destroying everything is their flight to riches. That did not last long, the bills started coming due.
His solo in My Generation is iconic. The ‘typewriter’ technique, as he called it, is intriguing.
Could play a pretty good horn too, especially on “My Wife”.
Was that the performance where Moon’s drum explosion damn near deafened Peter Townshend?
Yea. ..check out the ending. ...they also smash Smothers guitar. Psycho’s.
Not as psycho as the end of this Top of The Pops appearance in 73.
Pete really loses it at the end. I think this was around the time Roger punched him in the studio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlL-FFQZd2I
Which brings me to my next point. Don’t do coke after 50.
Saw them at Busch Stadium in 1989, best concert I ever attended.
John Paul Jones was way better.
Plus he was an admiral in the US navy
57 ain't that 'old' ... however, the OX did go out like a true Rock 'n Roller ... with a mound of Cocaine and two Hookers in Las Vegas ...
Some of the stories of Entwistle and The Who are legion, even more scary is that most of them are true ... it's kinda incredible that any of them even lived as long as they did. Although Daltrey is said to be a straight shooter .. no drugs, no booze, no smoke, even a bit conservative (he supports Brexit)
I’d be interested except that I detest the estates and heirs who keep cashing in on someone else’s work. So FO grubbers.
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