John Entwistle: Tale of the Ox

Compilation (single artist)

If any of you had a chance to check out my recent post on Alan Wilson, you'll see where I described him as the quintessential musical "X-Factor". This is something that I've been thinking about more and more as this humble blog develops. I must have never realized it, but I seem to have quite an affinity for musicians who fit into this category-- guys who may not have sung lead on every track or written every song, but who came through with clutch musical contributions that helped to elevate their bands from "very good" to "classic" status. So here, in no particular order, are My Top 12 musical "X-Factors":

1. Dennis Wilson (The Beach Boys)
   
2. Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones)
   
3. Richie Furay (The Buffalo Springfield)
   
4. Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson (Canned Heat)
   
5. John Entwistle (The Who)
6. George Harrison (The Beatles)
7. Gene Clark (The Byrds)
8. Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane)
9. Mike Pinder (The Moody Blues)
10. Russ Giguere (The Association)
11. Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (The Grateful Dead)
12. Peter Tork (The Monkees)

Someday I would love to write a book about these twelve amazing musicians, and the vital contributions they brought forth to their respective bands. Until then, this blog will have to suffice. And in time, they will all get their due, but for now let's focus on "The Ox"... John Entwistle.

There's not too much I can say about John that hasn't been said before. He's probably the best rock bassist of all time, as well as an underrated composer who was able to place his songs comfortably alongside one of the undisputed greatest songwriters of his generation. The Ox was also a man possessed with a brilliantly morbid sense of humor, which was never not reflected in the lyrics he penned both for his solo albums and his work with the Who. Perhaps somewhat strangely, a compilation of all the songs John recorded with The Who has never appeared-- until now that is. Here is hoping you listen to, and enjoy the Tale of the Ox.