I once worked with a guy who\u2019d played part-time in a band. His contention – and I\u2019ve heard the same from multiple other sources – was that a rock-n-roll band\u2019s rhythm section (bass\/drums) were the true heart and soul of the band. If they were solid, the band would rock; if not, not so much.<\/p>\n
IMO there\u2019s a lot of truth in that statement. Both of those instruments (bass and drums) seem to connect at a different level, and in a different way, than the other mainstays of a modern band (guitar, keyboards). I think they influence the emotions more directly \u2013 and there\u2019s no doubt that they indeed generally form the bedrock on which the rest of the band builds its musical product.<\/p>\n
That said, there are exceptions to every rule. And that brings me to the subject of today\u2019s article.<\/p>\n
Yeah, what follows is yet another musical \u201cwalkabout\u201d. You still have time to quit reading; continue at your own peril. (smile)<\/p>\n
. . . <\/b><\/p>\n
The bassist in a typical rock-n-roll band doesn\u2019t generally lead. Instead, he\/she provides (along with the drummer) a rhythmic foundation. The bassist in particular usually follows or compliments the song\u2019s melody (or basic guitar riff, which is often different than the vocal melody), leaving excursions and departures for the vocalists, keyboardists, and\/or guitarists. Yes, both the drummer and bassist do get a chance to add their flourishes on occasion. But in general, they provide the underpinnings on which vocalists, guitarists, and keyboardists build.<\/p>\n
IMO, they\u2019re underappreciated. But such is life.<\/p>\n
Still, the great ones know when to follow convention \u2013 and when to ignore it. And one of the greatest in my lifetime at ignoring convention was the late John Entwistle. Ditto his band, The Who.<\/p>\n
. . .<\/b><\/p>\n
Entwistle was the only member of The Who with formal musical training. He first studied the piano as a child (which he didn\u2019t much like). He later changed to the trumpet. But when he started playing in bands, he found that his trumpet was getting buried by amplified instruments \u2013 so he changed to the guitar.<\/p>\n
Entwistle grew to be a large youth (and later a large man). His fingers were also large \u2013 and he liked the lower tones, \u00e1 la Duane Eddy. So he decided to play the bass guitar instead of a standard guitar.<\/p>\n
His size (and stamina) gave him one of his two nicknames. After joining the band that later became The Who, his bandmates found he could do more \u2013 and continue longer \u2013 than most people. So the nickname \u201cOx\u201d seemed to fit, and became his.<\/p>\n
His other nickname? It\u2019s contained in the title of this article. If you\u2019ve ever listened to his work, the nickname is self-explanatory.<\/p>\n
Here are four cuts that demonstrate his exceptional talent. The first is from The Who\u2019s early days; the other three are from their heyday.<\/p>\n
The first is \u201cMy Generation\u201d. It actually features Entwistle playing a dedicated bass solo \u2013 and quite a good one at that, IMO.<\/p>\n