May 24, 2001
Entwistle at Toledo's Rock Rhythm and Blues festival
By Christine Brucker
Entertainment Editor
Fans of The Who have the opportunity to see John Entwistle perform at 7 p.m. Sunday in Toledo. Entwistle is to be performing with his band as part of the Rock Rhythm and Blues Festival.
Entwistle formed the John Entwistle Band in 1995 with Steve Luongo (drums) and Godfrey Townsend (guitars). The trio's sound features a strong rhythm section and an intricate blend of guitars and keyboards.
It took some time for fans to warm up to Entwistle's solo sound.
"The Who was like an albatross around all our necks," Entwistle said. "The kids didn't want The Who to break up. They didn't want to hear our solo projects."
Moving out of the shadow of a band as legendary as The Who was no easy task. Entwistle, along with bandmates Roger Daltry, Pete Townshend and Keith Moon, produced some of the most memorable songs of the late '60s and early '70s. "My Generation" became an anthem for the baby boomers and flower children. Other songs like "Won't Get Fooled Again," "Substitute" and "Who Are You" brought them a devoted fan base in the United States. The Who will probably be best-known for "Tommy." The rock-opera about "the deaf, dumb and blind kid" has been made into a a film and saw a Broadway revival. In 1990, the members of The Who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Who would be associated with tragedy as well. Keith Moon died of a drug overdose in 1978. A year later, 11 concertgoers at Cincinnati's Riverfront Collesium were trampled to death in a rush for the best spots at a festival seating show.
The Who would disband in 1982.
"As time went on, the subject matter got more serious," Entwistle said of the last years with The Who. "It got very depressing. I am allowed to bring the dark humor out a lot more in my solo work."
Entwistle has always been known for his dark humor almost as much as his lightning-quick fingers on the bass. He has a dry wit and sarcastic streak.
Like most artists, Entwistle draws from life when it comes to his lyrics.
"I write about women and how horrible they are," he said, joking. "I have gone through two divorces, so I write about men who have no house, no car, no kids. I write from personal experience."
"Success Story" is a tale of of a would-be rock star who thinks "I may go far, If I smash my guitar." "Under a Raging Moon" also reflects on a lifetime of rock and roll performance. In the song, Entwistle talks of seeing the crowd as a "sea of hands." The dark humor comes through in "Endless Vacation" with the plea "Hope I get old before I die."
Fans have come around to the darker, heavier sound of the John Entwistle band.
"Things have been great," he said. "People who did not particularly care for The Who like my band but they are not necessarily two separate groups."
Entwistle has seen many changes in the record industry and in rock music since he started in 1964. Not all of the changes have been for the better.
"Anyone can make a record for $400," he said. "When we started, it took a lot of time and talent to make a record."
it is the lack of talent that strikes Entwistle as the biggest change in the industry.
"There are people with no talent making a lot of money," he said. "There are also people investing a lot of money without any understanding of music. Now, bands that can dance or sing to a tape can make records."
He said that the bands who are the future of rock music do not necessarily appeal to the young teens.
"They don't appeal to 12-year-old girls," he said. "They are the bands that let you walk away humming a tune or singing a chorus. Those are the bands who will have longevity."
The John Entwistle Band is to perform at 7 p.m. Sunday downtown Toledo as part of Rock, Rhythm and Blues Festival. The performance is free.