CHATALONG WITH MAX

JOHN ENTWHISTLE . . . plans some fishing

HE'S strolling in the sunshine of Edinburgh's Princes Street . . . John Entwhistle, the strong, silent man of The Who.

Today and tomorrow, The Who, one of the world's great rock groups, plays to capacity houses in the capital's Playhouse.

Of the other members of the band – Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Kenny Jones – there's no sign.

"They flew back to London after our two shows in Glasgow at the weekend," explains Entwhistle.

HASSLE

"I decided it was all too much hassle. I like mooching around. I'm hoping to get in a bit of fishing while I'm here."

He's 36 now, and a founder member of The Who, which has been going for nearly 18 years – "sometimes it seems like it," he says with a rare smile.

"When we started off in London, we gave The Who about a year and a half.

"Once Roger got married and I became engaged, we thought that was it. But we've gone on and on.

"We're the kind of group which can shout at each other – come to blows, even – and make it up. We never bear grudges.

"And we don't mix socially, which is a good thing. It means we don't get bored with each other."

RESPECT

On stage, bass player Entwhistle is the perfect foil for the antics of the rest of the group:

"It's true I don't leap about, but I know how much I contribute to the act.

"And I get a lot of respect as a musician. . that, to me, is the most important thing.

"I don't take drugs – none of us do – but we all drink.

LOOK WHO'S SMILING NOW

"When we do a concert, I've two bicycle flasks attached to my mike.

"People think they're special gadgets to enable me to sing in a deep voice.

"But one is full of Southern Comfort and the other white wine.

"They have straws poking out of them, so I can have a quick draw to lubricate the chords."

HOMES

Entwhistle is a millionaire – "on paper, anyway."

He has two homes – one in London, the other a turreted castle in the Cotswolds.

He met his wife Alison at grammar school. They were married 17 years ago, and have a son, Christopher, nine.

How long can The Who go on?

"We always give ourselves till the end of our current recording contract," says John.

"We've just signed a new three-year one with Warners, so you can take it we'll be around till 1984 at least."