John Entwistle was an English bass guitarist best known as a founding member of The Who. According to the foundation’s archived biography, he was born in London on 9 October 1944 and rose to fame during the British Invasion of the 1960s.
Influence on the bass guitar
The biography credits Entwistle with a distinctive, powerful low-end sound. It points to his use of round-wound strings and his busy, melodic bass lines as innovations that changed how the electric bass could be played. It quotes a comparison, that he did for the bass what Jimi Hendrix did for the guitar, and notes that many listeners rank him among the best bass players of all time. The text also says he was widely liked and respected by other musicians.
His death
Entwistle died of a heart attack on 27 June 2002, aged 57. The archive says this happened on the eve of a major United States tour with The Who.
Charity work
The pages describe him as someone who used his fame to raise very large sums for people in need, through The Who, his own band and personal giving. He also shared his enthusiasm for music with younger players. No specific totals are given in the source, so none are repeated here.
Why the foundation was created
After his death, people close to him set up the John Entwistle Foundation with two goals. The first was to continue his charitable work by creating programmes that help children pursue music who might not otherwise have the chance. The second was to preserve his legacy and the idea that following your own path can be rewarding.
Related pages
- A longer, lighter career profile from the same archive.
- The foundation’s mission statement.
- Benefit events such as Classic Rock Cares.