Pete Townshend and Steve Luongo chat about John Entwistle & The Who

This is the directors cut of Steve Luongo's interview with Pete Townshend for "An Ox's Tale" which features an additional 15 minutes from their very candid 3 hour + conversation. Some of this footage is also featured in "Amazing Journey" although much of it has never been seen.

[@EmptyGlass99]

Describing Entwistle's sound as being like a "digeridoo and the sound of the world turning" is pretty spot on. It took me years to realise that half of what I was hearing was Entwistle and not Townshend.

[@SteveLuongo]

Thanks again to everyone who shared their kind words. It was a pleasure to share this with you.

[@thomasesileo]

Pete just tells a great story.

[@entwistle4ever]

Listen to LIVE AT LEEDS.

[@goodwilj]

I saw The Who back in 1979 and I had floor seating 16 rows from the stage directly in line with John Entwistle's bass amp. I was deaf for a week after that concert, but I frickin' loved it.

[@russclark533]

What a great interview. When Pete is in a good mood, being interviewed by a fellow musician he is as good a storyteller as there is. Good stuff.

[@georgenicholas6431]

Pete is so incredibly expressive and descriptive. He is right when he says only real Who fans will get what he was saying about the music space John and he filled. Fabulous Interview.

[@einysjame]

John was amazing, my all time favorite bass-guitarist!! And I love Pete, he can be so great in interviews (like this) when he is in the right mood!

[@pilsnrimgaard2507]

These two men shaped the form of Rock n Roll forever. Maximum R&B as Pete used to say. Long live John Entwistle...RIP Rock the heavens!

[@qdog568]

I'll never forget seeing The Who in New York at MSG, Oct 2000. During 5:15 the bass solo that rocked the whole Garden. I was sitting quite a distance from the stage and my seat was vibrating as if an Earthquake was happening. Fantastic!!!

[@marksolomon5859]

No one can analyze Entwistle's impact on music than the man on the other side of the stage

[@BigRed-1970]

there can only ever be one Ox, RIP John, still missed mate

[@Larry1972ful]

No bullshit from Pete. Straight on as it should be. R.I.P. Ox. Great article.

[@macwhirley104]

I remember John playing with rat race quier in a small club in upstate N.Y back in 1986. As a bass player myself I was amazed and could never come close to his talent. He stood right in front of me. No security. Just him and the local band. I'll never forget it.

[@Jangle2007]

These interviews with Townshend are fascinating. I knew Entwistle was a talented musician but I'm learning just how central a driving force he was to the Who. Also interesting is the amount of friendship and love Townsend had for Entwistle.

[@booeyats1]

Hello Steve, thanks for the wonderful commentary and for posting this! Also, thanks for being such a genuinely nice guy. I was fortunate enough to meet you, John and Godfrey in 1998 when you played a club in Frazier PA called Maddies. It was a magical night and your show was outstanding!!! Thanks again Steve!

[@johncroce1428]

" He was a fucking musician !" Yes Pete, the ultimate musician. The bass will never sound the same again !

[@stevekloepping9634]

John Entwistle is the best bass player ever!!

[@nhoner]

What a marvelous interview. It provides an even richer appreciation of what we can hear. John doing with his hands, ears, and soul.

[@TheMortybob]

That last bit w/ Pete is soooo poingant. Love, Love Love! This Band. Great Interview - thanks for sharing.

[@Aloysir]

Hello Steve! Thank you so much fot this interview. Pete Townshend is such a wonderful, wonderful being. Not only a musical genius, but also a man of profound intelligence and spirituality. He rocked my teenage years and still is with me nowadays. This type of man impresses the world far beyond the only field of music. He's a cultural icon, and in the same time a very close friend. This is magic. There are very few of these "Renaissance men" around today. It's always a great feeling to see Pete all around the place offering interviews, concerts, books and what else. Hey, Pete! ... when will you execute a nice dancing number in a little pink ballet skirt in front of the whole world?:)) I want to thank this immense artist and man who keeps colouring the canevas of our daily life. Long life to Pete Townsend !!!... We're all very glad you didn't die before getting old! WHO do you think you are? Ha ha ha !!!

[@TheHiwattScott]

It's nice to see a guitarist give so much credit to a bass player. John was one of a kind.

[@portellen82]

god how i miss that man. growing up i was always more into pete for his guitar playing until I saw John solo in the late 80's. then it was like, hold on! This is the guy I need to listen to more. love his solo work and saw every solo tour after that.

[@tb6056]

Must have been something else to meet all these dudes haha! Thanks for getting it all out there Steve! I never tire of watching videos about Entwistle.

[@yearofthemetalboar5645]

Pete Townshend - One of a kind.

[@sarahblake8092]

Great stuff. John is one of the best, hell he is the best when it comes to bass. I'd highly recommend watching 'John Entwistle: An Oxes Tale" its on Itunes!

[@tabbygail7]

I never really understood why I saw The Who as so much better than everyone else until I heard Pete talk about the harmonics achieved by their style of playing. It all made sense after and has made me an even bigger fan. No doubt John was critical to the band's unique sound.

[@ericx777]

@8:31"that double stopping thing that he used to do" was Entwistle creating a sonic bridge with Moon and creating the most phenomenal rhythm sound in rock! Rarely equaled since!

[@randycchavez]

man, thank you for sharing this....John was the BEST...his bass playing was astounding and to hear Pete (one of the best guitarist of all time) speak so highly of him and candidly was awesome...again, thank you.

[@Whatwasisaying-f4k]

John was the best bassist and overall musician in rock, and I loved how Pete honored him, and also how how Pete showed his human side, missing a dear friend. Long live rock!

[@snackleforkofemir]

So great to see an interview where it's all about the guy being interviewed, not 4 cameras doing those ridiculous cuts and pointless close-ups, just ask the question, sit back and let Pete talk! Brilliant! Thanks a lot, and ...... more!

[@ambertjeblue2161]

I simply adore this straight from the hip interview. Pete is so down to earth, and open and honest. How great this was recorded, and is there for ever. Thanks Pete and a big thankyou to Steve Luongo.

[@RSTI191]

The greatest writer in the history of Rock… Pete.

[@pjskss]

I loved the 1989 tour, precisely because of the showmanship it took to put together that band.

[@benters3509]

Love listening to Pete talking. Such a lovely guy!

[@jennyeyler466]

Thank you! I will never tire of Who interviews!

[@mccunejp]

Great interview!...the honesty and integrity are ever so present, what our present time is in need of.

[@MikePinkerton]

Simply amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this. I miss John.

[@granthurlburt4062]

Pete is SO intelligent and thoughtful. I knew NOTHING about the importance of the harmonics and so on. A lot of this explains why, like so many others, I love the Who's sound, without understanding why it made such an impact. Watch his interview on "The Kids are Alright" where he explains the strategy behind their clothes and other factors affecting their image.

[@chrisstorrier2709]

What a great freind to John....kind words...great memories...RIP John...gone but never ever forgotten🎸🍷

[@bbqeatinbuckeye]

Thanks for sharing this stuff. Mr. Luongo! Would of loved to have heard the whole 3 hour conversation on Mr. Entwistle's playing style and friendship with Mr. Townshend. Amazingly talented musician whose contributions are still reverberating & teaching us all. We miss him too.

[@nickseminara8189]

"He had the power to CHANGE the fucking instrument" my favorite line

[@josephkolmansky8965]

Steve, you've really made my day. I've wanted to interview Pete for ages now and you've picked just the right angle: a genius who's been wrongly called an egomaniac can talk simply and cleverly about another genius he loved.Thanks again

[@TheA1Drummer]

Simply fantastic information and footage! What a tremendous honor you had Steve. John literally played drum rolls on the bass guitar and you complimented him in ways that Keith Moon would have been very pleased to hear.

[@OdysseyMosaic]

There was nobody like John Entwistle! Both in talent and charisma...he amused me with his uber-cool, detached way of playing, like it's 'nothing' to sound like he did! ;-)

[@Maryonpark]

Pete's very interesting, keeps you wanting to know more. Excellent video.

[@London2362]

I saw The Who at R.I.T. (Rochester, N.Y.)...They put on such a great show, and you could tell they enjoyed the feedback from the audience, and were having lots of fun....everyone I spoke to said the same thing....This band didn't copy other groups, they created their own sound...

[@IconTVMusic100]

Thanks Steve for posting the clip. We had a great time interviewing Pete in London. Your fans can download the complete director's cut: John Entwistle: An Ox's Tale on iTunes. _Glenn Aveni, President of Icon Television Music, Inc. Co-Director, An Ox's Tale

[@jamiechavez3475]

I've never seen this before. What a great interview. I thought I was a big Entwistle fan but clearly Pete is the biggest. I could watch this again.

[@MrJal67]

"He looked cool..." Damn right.

[@rickwpaperworkmakeschildsu4655]

One of the best live bands ever! Some bands are studio bands, but not the Who

[@Twotontessie]

I love this guy so much! What a great interview, very moving and detailed tribute to Entwistle. I could listen to this all day.

[@GeraldGrech]

This is wonderful. Yes John was brilliant!

[@derrickb427]

I think we found the origin of the phrase "Turn up!" RIP John, no one turned up like you. God bless The Who!

[@BIRISHPM]

I've always thought of John as a lead bass player, he was an incredible musician. Rest in Peace Ox. Steve, thanks for sharing this with us.

[@TheCJTM]

It's great to hear these things about such an amazing guy.

[@905Alive]

what Pete says is so 1000% spot on, The Who were such a major 3 piece outfit even with the keys, you had to fill, also the creation of instruments and music itself, the styles, music colleges are only teaching students how to be perfect copiers, what the fuck good is that if you are going to create??????????? this is why a lot of music today sucks, most of it is rip offs, sampling or totally lacking any style or groove.............let yourself go create

[@luvbasses5487]

Before watching this video, I have often stated in the past to other musician friends of mine, when they would come to me and ask "Who is your favorite bassist?" Typical question, right? It's like, give it a rest, you KNOW who they are! Jones, Entwistle, Jamerson, Radle,...God, the list is so long. Being a rock bass player, I would rattle of the usual suspects...and of course John would be in the list I would mention...but then I would often remind whomever I was talking to that "I feel that John was a frustrated guitarist...who played bass." Pete says exactly that in this clip. I was quite happy to hear it too...'cause even Pete knew that too. All the while I would never discount his other contributions: Guitar, reeds, piano, producing... He couldn't help it: Music Was In His Blood. I still to this day enjoy, and still learn from, this mans' bass playing! Thanks John. Rest in peace my friend.

[@SteveLuongo]

Thanks Bill, Glad you enjoyed it...Be safe. See ya out there...

[@krollpeter]

Love reign o'er you, Mr. Townshend!

[@hdrake1000]

I can hear about Entwistle all day, he's great!

[@FredHerrman]

Just so awesome! I loved John Entwistle's sound and style of playing! And this was such a nice remembrance of Pete to do for him.

[@lsbill27]

After seeing Woodstock Jaco Pastorius told his brother Gregory he could see on film what a great bass player Entwistle was.

[@goodwilj]

Frickin' outstanding interview. Loved it!!

[@musicforaarre]

Extremely interesting !!!

[@knockofthebullshit]

the best rock/pop band...period

[@virgilrytaar9083]

perfect Steve! saw this years ago but happened upon it tonight. Your drumming was the best and you locked in with John in the most awesome way that Ive ever witnessed. We HAVE to to jam together in this lifetime if at all possible. Love to you

[@WHOMEWHOYOU]

Wonderful .. being a WHO nut case since the early 60's I knew all this... Pete and John together as Friends first before the WHO and making his Bass and Pete taking over the Guitar chores from Rodger, you can tell how much Pete loved his Friend John. WHO fans know everything Pete said in this interview is true about the WHO sound and as the WHO today have had to "fill the live show with lots of other Musical layers of sound, that Bass was a BIG part of the Classic WHO Concert Sound. THUNDER-FINGERS! their was only one!

[@reverseroverc]

Thanks so much for this, Steve. I enjoyed this a lot. I'd love to be able to watch the entire three-plus hour interview start to finish sometime. And thanks also for An Ox's Tale... it was a brilliant, touching tribute to JE.

[@dubuqueblues69]

Not to seem redundant but thanks a million for this Steve!!!! I love John so much and he is my greatest influence as a musician. I have all of John's solo stuff and always thought you and John played really well together. Your work with him on Left For Live is truly explosive. Again, thank you so much for this.

[@daviddansereau1793]

Pete. You found a soul mate. I think Jon and Chris wold say Yes!

[@ronbacardi7271]

Pete you are the greatest and so genourous.

[@michaeljohn6526]

almost been 12 years and i still miss John and his style of playing, as much as i love the who, it has not been the same, thank you for sharing this video Steve...

[@Bryan8329]

What Pete says about Entwistle and Hendrix, that you didn't get the full breadth of their talent until you were in the same room, I completely understand now. I watched David Gilmour in concert last month, and for being a complete obsessive about Pink Floyd, I felt his guitar playing in a different way than I ever have with speakers or headphones before that. That's not just his talent on the instrument but how he can process the sound in such a way that can leave that kind of impression.

[@billymusicwb]

Thank you, Steve!!! I appreciate your opening words on this interview. It must have been quite a thrill as the interview progressed to realize you were getting passionate and articulate responses at great length from such an interesting musician. I've had a few pleasant surprises and done an interview or two, but this must have been amazing. It sounds like you had one of the best interviews on record for Townshend about 20 minutes into it. Pete must have realized you understood him, and his words wouldn't be wasted. I don't envy you really, but I'm damn grateful for the posting!

[@JOEYFMISFIT]

Thank you for posting this. It's fantastic.

[@roman14032]

anybody who ever saw them live knows it was all about entwhistle

[@paulcatania1315]

Great interview with Pete. Thanks!

[@Chrispdekker]

Thanks! Great! I would love to see the complete three hours and I'm sure I'll watch it again and again! Wow! Great, Steve! As Sam & Dave would yell in Soul Man:)

[@Kedbuka]

This is great! Thanks for posting it!

[@jonapplegate6695]

The last one minute was touching.

[@MrUltraworld]

I saw them before Moonie died. Entwistle's tri amped rig had to be seen to be believed. There were huge folded horns, smaller cabs with 15",12" & 10" drivers. I had a hard time hearing the guitar or the drums. Amazing sound, like a giant organ, it rattled the Garden.

[@catherinefitzpatrick9144]

This interview is a real treat! Tx u so much! (I've got to listen to it again, right now)

[@genecricco]

That is beautiful. Thank you

[@ronbacardi7271]

Pete you are the greatest

[@shimtest]

it always felt like there was a rhythm guitarist with the Who because of what Entwhistle was doing

[@jasonperry9345]

Steve, what a great discussion. I hope things are good for you and family. I still tell the Day Job story to people. Take care. Jayson

[@isabellafinegold]

Steve, thanks for posting this. John was the biggest influence on my bass playing and musicianship in general. I really miss him.

[@lindahoward4465]

The Who Fan understands this oh yeah this is so TRUE 😀I LOVE THE WHO 😘💜❤💕💞💋💋💋💋 THE GREATEST BAND IN THE UNIVERSE! !!!!!

[@Johnny67557]

awesome.....the main reason I'm proud to be a bass player. YES, WE ARE MUSICIANS!!!! Not just a back-drop for the guitarist. Miss ya John!!

[@JM-ik9kw]

Great interview. Amazing musicians.

[@Kedbuka]

So neat to hear his thoughts. Just fantastic stuff.

[@chgobrd]

Great job Steve. Loved you guys when you played Yucaipa, CA

[@TZKeyz]

Great interview.

[@SteveLuongo]

Thanks Jose, Enjoy your basses and I'll see ya out there... ~SL

[@kerrystehlik7508]

Great piece.

[@JohnAllanification]

a person could argue that that he played very intricately whilst Pete chop'd

[@bannork]

Always a joy to listen to intelligent rock stars like Pete Townsend nand Roger Waters

[@moontheloon1969]

thank you steve only saw this edited on story of the who,thanks bud!

[@davidarmstrong4743]

These are types of musicians I miss hearing today as far as new music is concerned. So far, the digital age has been doing more to kill music than free it in my opinion. But that is whole other series of videos. lol Great stuff! I am glad I have gotten my boys turned on to good music like The Who, together and apart.