[no subject]

Sotheby's announce the sale of the John Entwistle
Collection 

WHO'S BEST? -SOTHEBY'S ANNOUNCE THE SALE OF THE JOHN
ENTWISTLE COLLECTION- 

A STAGGERING collection of guitars and bass guitars,
stage costumes and awards from the collection of the
late John Entwistle - one of the four members of the
legendary British rock group THE WHO and widely
regarded as the greatest Bass Guitarist of all time -
will be sold on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at Sotheby's,
Olympia, West London. The collection is expected to
fetch in the region of 400,000 pounds sterling and
estimates range from 100 pounds upwards. 

John Entwistle died, aged 57, on June 27, 2002, in Las
Vegas - on the eve of the band's United States tour.
Affectionately known as "OX" and "THUNDERFINGERS" (due
to his distinctive playing style), John Alec Entwistle
was born on October 9, 1944 and was brought up in
Acton, West London. He played brass instruments in his
early years and at the age of 14, he and school friend
Pete Townshend formed their first band. After leaving
school he became a Tax Clerk, but in 1962, he and
Townshend joined Roger Daltrey's band The Detours. The
group renamed itself The Who in February 1964, and the
late Keith Moon joined as drummer two months later. 

One of the biggest rock bands of the 1960s and 70s,
The Who's hits included the massive My Generation,
Pinball Wizard and Substitute along with the world
famous albums Tommy, Who's Next and Quadrophenia. They
were among the original 'bad boys'of rock - both on
stage and off - and were best known for their
mind-blowing stage routines that often culminated in
them smashing their instruments. By performing at some
of the most important Rock events of the era including
Woodstock; Monterey; and the Isle of Wight Festival,
their reputation as the finest live rock band was
established. In addition to playing bass, Entwistle
performed backing vocals and played brass instruments
in the band. He wrote several tracks for The Who
albums including the legendary Boris the Spider and My
Wife and subsequently went on to release six solo
albums. Sotheby's sale will include John Entwistle's
collection of more than 150 guitars and bass guitars,
collected for their rarity and distinctive designs,
many of which he used on stage. Although Entwistle was
particularly associated with the bass guitar - many of
which will be offered in the auction - highlights of
the collection include a very rare Gibson Explorer and
an equally rare Gibson Flying V - both of which date
from 1958 and are among the most revolutionary, rarest
and desirable electric guitars ever made. As Entwistle
described in his notebook on his collection of guitars
"This is my fourth 'V', I worked my way up to a mint
condition by selling, swapping and part
exchanging...", while he comments on his Explorer "I
paid $3,750 for this in 1975, you would have to sell
your house to buy it now!" These two guitars each
carry an estimate in the region of 30,000 to 50,000
pounds.

Entwistle's favourite guitar - a pink Fender Precision
Bass -affectionately known as 'Frankenstein' will also
be offered. "I put this together in San Francisco on a
day off, part way through a Who tour. It is the
remains of five smashed basses, hence the name
'Frankenstein' he wrote: "I used this baby from 1967
onwards through Tommy and all the tours up to
Quadrophenia." It is estimated at 5,000-7,000 pounds.
The sale of more than 350 lots will also include
photographs, awards, drawings, clothing, rare posters,
guitar cases, guitar straps, French horns and trumpets
as well as pieces of jewellery (some in the form of
spiders), paintings, bronzes and marine-related items.


Stephen Maycock, specialist in charge of the sale,
said: "We are incredibly lucky to be offering so many
pieces from Entwistle's personal collection ranging
from music awards through to a ring decorated with a
spider! The collection of guitars, by a wide variety
of makers such as Buzzard, Alembic, Gibson, Gretsch
and Fender, are all extremely fascinating. To have
access to his private notes - which he intended to
publish - on his thoughts and reasons for buying the
items further helps to provide a great insight to a
rock legend." 

A representative of Clintons Solicitors, acting for
the late John Entwistle and his estate, said: "The
executors have decided to sell John Entwistle's
extremely imaginative and varied collection, which
includes nearly all of his significant personal
effects. This is a unique and diverse collection
reflecting what a passionate collector John Entwistle
was." 

Further pieces from the John Entwistle Collection will
be included in various forthcoming Sotheby's Sales.
Two bronzes will be offered in the sale of Fine
Decorative Arts and Design from 1870 at Sotheby's
Olympia on Thursday, February 27, 2003; a painting
will be included in a sale of Scottish Paintings at
Hopetoun House, Scotland on Monday, April 14, 2003;
and a good selection of Arms and Armour - including
several full suits of armour - will be offered on
Thursday, June 26, 2003 at Sotheby's, Olympia. 

There will be an informal 'Expert Eye'talk on the sale
on Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 3pm. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SALE & TO ORDER A
CATALOGUE CALL 020 7293 5555

A MORE IN-DEPTH PRESS RELEASE WILL BE AVAILABLE VERY
SOON 

IMAGES AVAILABLE VIA EMAIL & ALL RELEASES ARE
PUBLISHED ON WWW.SOTHEBYS.COM


=====
-Brian in Atlanta
The Who This Month!
http://www.thewhothismonth.com
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