To the World's Greatest Rock and Roll Bassist:

I will, over the coming weeks leave my thoughts about John Entwisle, the man whose bass playing inspired my own. I have never met him, though we did get close once and we made eye contact. God, the things you remember over a quarter of a century.

I had gone to see The Who in March of 1976 when they came to McNichol's Arena in Denver. I had managed to get back stage thanks to an inattentive guard. A story for later perhaps, but I ended up in the tunnel behind the stage. Moon and Townshend were talking to some young woman (chatting her up as the brits say!), Daltry was no where in sight, and all of a sudden John comes walking past with his bass tech. I just stood there in awe. Here was the guy that had inspired me to play bass with his work on 'The Real Me' and I am 20 feet from him! He looked up and saw me and, of course I saw him. I could tell by the look on his face that he was pissed so I didn't say or do anything. (I later found out that the Alemics he was using were having problems with the active electronics...these were before the Explorer body versions.)

I've seen the band three more times after that and was planning on going this September to the show at Fiddler's Green, but now of course, who knows. If they come, I will go. (Actually, I didn't, I couldn't get away. And as they get ready to come through this November of 2006, I just can't get up enough desire to go see them again...It's not Pino that's the problem...it's just not the Who anymore...in my very humble opinion)

Found out yesterday (1 July 02) that Pino Palladino will be taking Entwistle's spot for the remainde r of the tour. He has worked with Townshend before, on the 'White City' album and he is a great bassist. I look forward to hearing him play. All the while reminding myself that he is not John and not to compare him to John. That will be hard, but it's not fair to make that comparison. He's not trying to be Entwistle, he's just being himself in a tough situation. Very much like Kenny Jones after Moon died. For anyone who reads this...please remember that. Kenny is a great drummer, but we all wanted Moon and that didn't work for him and he left. Too bad, 'cause I liked Jones's drumming. Let's not visit the curse of 'Entwistle You Ain't' on Pino. Ok, enough preaching from my chair.