A RTS The Michigan Daily - Monday, July 1, 2002 -11 THE WHo's JOHN ENTWISTLE: 1944-2002 By Scott Serilla Daily Arts Writer It is tempting to say John Entwistle was the George Harrison of The Who. The quiet reserved one, with an understated streak of dark humor. The secret, but essential musical foundation, who always let the others take credit for the genius of his band. The occasional songwriter, who proved he. could be out there on his own, but instead devoted himself most often to the songs of others, to the idea of the band as better than the sum of its parts. Yet comparing Entwistle to anyone else, even the late great Beatle falls hopeless short of describing just how good the Mighty Ox wasand just how important he was to his band, his instru- ment, to Rock 'n Roll and to us. John Alec Entwistle, bass player, arranger, sometime songwriter and vocalist for the land- mark British rock band The Who died early Thursday morning in his sleep in Las Vegas, apparently of a heart attack. Tragically, the very next night was to be the opening of a 27-date North American tour, the band's first in several years. Born Oct. 9, 1944 in Chiswick, England, Entwistle began playing in bands with guitarist Pete Townsend while the two were classmates at Acton Grammar School in the late '50s. In '62 the pair hooked up with vocalist Roger Dal- trey, who had formed his own Skiffle band, The Detours. Changing their name to the Who, then to High Numbers, then back to the Who, the young musicians eventually lured away the eccentric drummer of the Beachcombers, a local surf band. With Keith Moon on board, the leg- endary lineup of one of the most seminal bands of all time was complete. At first heavily associated with the London Mod scene, the band built a name on their astounding and furious live sets, literally unlike anything ever seen before. On stage as Daltrey strutted, Townsend windmilled and Moon exploded, Entwistle stood perfectly still, the same look of heavy concentration on his face for almost 40-years and countless shows. Some mis- took this as a pose of aloof boredom, but this incredible focus was essential to balancing of The Who. Entwistle was the calm center of the act's bril- liantly chaotic storm, but he was also the rhyth- mic thunder. Few bass players ever played as loud and distinctly as the Ox, as Moon dubbed him. It was an aggressive booming, but always intricate and complex musi- cal style, which pushed the bass past a mere supporting role to the forefront of t Rock. You could always hear Entwistle not just thumbing along, but carry- ing his share of the melodic weight if not down right taking the lead like his clas- sic solo in "My Generation" to the comically ominous tones of his own "Boris the Vote Spider". As critic Dave Marsh pointed out, it wasn't audac- ity that made Entwistle play out but necessity and the extreme manifestation of a exceedingly practical per-" sonality. The Ox "learned to anchor the band both physically and rhythmi- cally because, in this group, those traditional drummer's chores would otherwise have gone otherwise unfulfilled." The now long-departed Moon is canonized as the greatest rock drummer of all time, but his unconventional pummeling of his kit and noted bad habits off-stage didn't always make for a steady beat. The workhorse-like 'Thuderfingers' always picked up the slack. Like Daltrey, who taught himself to sing at a near scream just to make sure he could be heard, Entwistle played louder than any other bassist at the time, just to hold his band together, though. Ultimately, though it was an inspirational move that paved the way for the likes of Cream's Jack Bruce, Led Zepplin's John Paul Jones and literally all other rock bassist who refuse to be lost in the mix. Other bass players have come along with more flash, and perhaps more technique, but the Ox played not for his own advancement but solely for the betterment of his band and the music. There was a selflessness about Entwistle's con- tribution to the Who and Rock, that is hard to imagine in today's musical landscape, where those with simply the most ego too often reap the largest rewards. He played to make everyone else look good, to make Pete's songs sound better. For that he was vretchedly unsung before his departing. Daltrey and Townsend have announced their plans to continue with the tour, in memorial of their friend. Love them or hate them for that - with his mammoth resolve, the Ox, where ever he is, probably understands. m *Uof M 4lmson 18*" h Get Your dishes, utenUsIt, 3ta5sses, tMSS, pospans, Linen, It ching an much More' VERY, VERY CHEAP! PTO THRIFT SHOP 1621 S.State - Telephone 996-9155 1 mile south of The Michigan Union, inside Bargain Books lOURS: Tuesday-Friday tlam-7pm, Saturday llam-6pm, Sunday t1am-5pm. CLOSED MONDAY. Congratulations to CAROL VAN DYKE on her retirement from the University of Michigan! Thank you to Carol for 40 years of service to the University, including 27 years in the Office of Financial Aid, where she has served as the Administrative Associate to four Office Directors. Carol has also worked for two University Presidents - President Hatcher and President Fleming, as well as for the Center for Research and Economical Development, the Student Affairs Office, and the School of Social Work. Thank you for your dedication and years of service. CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU, CAROL! - From Pamela Fowler, Director, Office of Financial Aid (your very last boss!) Carolifriends and associates are invited to join the Office of Financial Aid at a reception in her honor on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 from 3-5 p.m. in the Atrium Conference Room of the Student Activities Building. R ยง s d b c k c . a v r " r 3