A Nice Pair: The Who

It’s Sunday, the sun in shining and it’s time for A Nice Pair: book and vinyl pairings that go together like 1978 and bell bottoms. Today we’re pairing the book The Ox: The Authorized Biography of The Who’s John Entwhistle by Paul Rees with the album Who Are You by The Who.

The book The Ox provides an in-depth look at the life of John Entwistle, the legendary bassist of The Who. It explores his groundbreaking contributions to rock music, his larger-than-life personality and his complex personal life, including his wild partying and extravagant spending habits – everything from shipping vintage American cars across the Atlantic despite not having a driver’s license to grandiose home bars. The biography draws from Entwistle’s own notes for an unfinished autobiography, as well as interviews with his family and friends.

Who Are You is The Who’s eighth studio album, released in 1978. It was the last album to feature drummer Keith Moon, who passed away just three weeks after its release. The album blends hard rock with elements of progressive rock, featuring complex arrangements with synthesizers and strings. Some of its standout tracks include Who Are You, Sister Disco and Music Music Change.