Recommendations of the Editorial team
John Destchuhr from The WHO had many nicknames, including “Der Ochse” because of his impressive stature and endless appetite. In addition, “the silence” because of its stoic demeanor.
However, the most apt was “thunder finger”, a name that was awarded to him because every time he played a grade on the bass, it sounded like a malignant storm that pulled over the horizon.
It was a style he developed to be heard on the same stage with the extravagant Keith Moon and Pete Townshend. However, he brought a remarkable fluid and grace into his role that had never been heard before.
It was almost impossible to imitate John Destle
Simply put, he treated the bass like a lead instrument and let it stand out as much as any guitar. His chunky solo in “My Generation” inspired countless teenagers to take the bass in his hand, although it was almost impossible to imitate his game.
“Dustle was probably the biggest rock bassist of everyone,” said Geddy Lee von Rush, “he dared to take the role and sound of the bass guitar and push them out of the cloudy depths while playing these amazing things.”
John Destle died in 2002 on the evening before a USA tour from The WHO of heart failure. Cocaine was found in his blood, but did not find an overdose. The musician left a significant collection of electrobes and guitars.
John escapes in the memories of his fellow human beings
Alison Dostle, ex-wife of John Destpiertle and mother of his son, looked back on time with her ex-husband. In memory of the birth of Chris she revealed: “John was so enthusiastic. He was there at my birth in the Queen Charlotte’s Hospital. I loved him for years so that you never get rid of these feelings. He was a stupid boy, but also very generous, warm -hearted and very talented.”
“I want Dad to be remembered as the best bass player that the world has ever known”according to Chris, in view of his father’s life’s achievement. “I have not seen Pete or Roger since God how many years because I will no longer go to WHO gigs. Not because of them-I am firmly behind the boys who continue as long as they want. I just can’t deal with the fact that it is not on the side of the stage where it should be”.
Pete Townshend: “Fortunately, Keith Moon and John are no longer there”
Pete Townshend is “happy” that his colleagues Keith Moon and John no longer escape among us – but for a not really malignant reason. “I know that what I say now will not make the WHO fans happy,” said the guitarist to the American Rolling Stone. “But thank you, God that the two no longer exist.”
The reason is rather strange: “It was damn difficult to play with them. Neither of them would have gone a band.” Townshend is certain that he was the backbone of The WHO. “I think my musical discipline, my musical efficiency as a rhythm player, the band held together.”
Moon and escaping in individual criticism
“John’s bass sound recalled an organ of Messiaen. Every note, every harmony was there.” After Destli’s death, Townshend then used Pino Palladino at the first concerts without the fellow campaigner. “He left the all the stuff out … I said, ‘Wow, now I really have a job.'”
Keith Moon, the drummer, regularly posed problems. “My job at Keith was to keep the time to keep the time.