Most people think of him as the quiet one. While the other members of the group break into an unrehearsed ballet of movement he stands firm like an ox, as he’s been nicknamed.

It’s always been that way for John Entwistle, bass guitarist with the Who.

“It’s part of the act now,” admitted Entwistle at his West London home. “I don’t think I would want it any other way because it would detract from my playing.

“Ever since we started with the present line-up in 1963 I have always stood still while the rest of the band moved about.”

Off-stage he does not hog the limelight, either.

“Again it started in the early years. I couldn’t be bothered to talk to people because I didn’t have anything to say and I left the talking to the others.”

Violence

He’s more talkative now (“I’ve got something to say”). But he’s still the anchor man for the aggressive Who.

The group, which introduced the stage violence (breaking instruments) that was copied by many others, needed Entwistle’s calm presence and audiences have come to expect it.

“My lack of movement is part of the act now,” said Entwistle. “I move from the wrists downwards. People don’t expect any more. If we were all on the go we would look like a bunch of lunatics with our strings twisted.”

But true to the saying “silent waters run deep,” there is more to Entwistle than meets the eye.

This month sees the release of Entwistle’s first solo album, Smash Your Head Against The Wall. On it, Entwistle plays all the brass (there’s plenty of it) and has written and produced all the material.

The album has been on his mind for two years. But he didn’t get down to it in earnest until last year.

“I’ve always written songs for the Who but I could never accumulate enough songs for an album. I wasn’t that much into writing and I didn’t make the time to write anything.”