Keith Moon

Keith Moon said he never had a drum lesson, though he did. He said he drove a Lincoln into a Holiday Inn swimming pool for his 21st birthday; contrary to popular belief, he didn't. He even successfully shaved a year off his life by telling everyone he was born in 1947 when it was in fact 1946. Keith Moon could sure spin a yarn and was the best public relations machine any band could hope for. He also played the drums like no other. Moon felt that the drums should be front and center stage, the drummer an exciting and integral part of the band, not a stone faced time keeper as was the norm in the early days of rock. From his early days with a California style surf band to his final performances with The Who, Moon made sure the drummer was noticed.

Keith Moon's style was unique and not before or since has there been a drummer that was as exciting both on record and in concert, the whole time throwing all the rules and discipline of a drummer out the window. Although not the most technical of drummers, he made up for his lack of time keeping skills with speed and power, often filling tiny gaps with elaborate and explosive rolls. Had his off stage antics not been quite so outrageous, perhaps his revolutionary drumming style would have been given its proper dues. Moon's penchant for wrecking cars, homes, hotel rooms and even restaurants often garnered The Who free front page publicity, while fully ensconcing him as the lunatic British rock star. It was once estimated that the total damage wreaked by Moon around the world over a span of 14 years was Ł250,000, or about $500,000. Unfortunately, his talents as a drummer were never given a mention in the countless newspaper columns his antics garnered him. "Moon the Loon", as he was appropriately nicknamed early on, would be a title he was proud of and made every attempt to uphold. In the end however, even Keith Moon couldn't live up to his own reputation. His own need for attention and his need to continually outdo himself, many times only to amuse others, propelled him further and further into self abuse and self doubt.

Many rock and roll historians consider The Who to be the first punk rock band. Their music spoke of youth's alienation through Pete Townshend's lyrics. The music, especially in the early years, was a cacaphony of guitar, pounding bass and searing vocals. The wanton drumming from Keith Moon was an integral part of The Who's sound, and they were never the same after Moon's death. Not only did Moon's drum thrashing add the essential energy to the band's overall sound, but his destruction of drum kits in the early years (along with Pete's guitar smashing) was just as essential to the group's image.

Classic Videos

Capturing The Who

at their guitar-smashing, drum-thrashing best as they perform, "Magic Bus",
"I Can't Explain" and "My Generation".

Discipline was certainly not one of Moon's attributes. Here was one of rock's greatest drummers in one of the world's greatest and most successful rock bands, and yet the only time he played was when performing with The Who. Unbelievably, Moon never practiced and never had a drum set in any place he lived. John Entwistle has often recalled rehersals where it would take 2-3 days for Keith to re-teach himself to play drums. After every time however, he was somehow better than the last time he played. Moon was also a gifted actor and made several acting appearances in various projects. Acting was a natural extension for Keith who would often donn elaborate costumes and uniforms for some of his more intricate practical jokes. He also attempted and almost finished a comedy album, which to this day remains unreleased. Many say his acting and comedic talents could have seen him become successful in those forms of entertainment had he been, once again, more disciplined. The same lack of discipline that made his drumming so unique and exciting would be his downfall not only when attempting these side projects, but in preventing Keith from successfully kicking his vices.

Keith Moon's one and only attempt at a solo album while in California turned out to be a long studio party with fellow drinking buddies Ringo Starr and Harry Nilsson, just to mention a few. The $200,000 record company advance was spent quickly on parties while another $200,000 was spent on recording costs with very little "real work" getting done. After changing producers and some pressure from the record label, "Two Sides of the Moon" was released in 1975, and although interesting it lacked any real musical direction.

Keith Moon said many times that all he wanted to do was play drums for The Who. In the beginning that was indeed all he would do for 5-7 days a week as the group honed their skills while playing London area club gigs. But as The Who's success took off, the long periods of inactivity increased as the need to play to pay the bills was no longer necessary. Not playing in the Who negated Moon of his only passion and outlet. While other band members persued other interests and projects and generally recharged their batteries, Keith ran himself ragged while playing the part of the social butterfly and attending the elite clubs of the rich and famous, the whole time spending millions.

Many people who knew Keith say he was never the same after his wife Kim left him in 1973. Others relate that it was his 3 years ('74-'77) in the hedonistic climate of mid seventies California that did him in. Whether it was one, the other, or a combination of the two is tough to say really, but the Keith Moon that returned to England in late 1977 was a far cry from the Keith Moon that left England in 1974. He was out of shape and had grown increasingly dependant on, among other things, his long time nemesis, alcohol.

After years of illicit drug taking it's ironic that the prescription drug Heminevrin, prescribed to wean Keith off alcohol, would be the drug that killed him. A post mortem confirmed there were 32 tablets in his system at the time, 26 of which were undissolved. The conspiracy theorists tell us that he was too experienced a drug user to have accidentally overdosed, that his death was in fact a suicide. Some, including John Entwistle, believe Moon choked to death, that his muscles were just too relaxed to vomit. Most people however don't believe it was suicide, citing Keith's love of life and the fact that he never thought much about even what he was taking, let alone how much (after all this is the same guy who gulped down a horse tranquilizer that put him out for 2 days!).

On September 6, 1978 Moon attended a party thrown by Paul McCartney in honour of the movie "The Buddy Holly Story". It would be his last night out. Sometime in the late afternoon of September 7, 1978, Keith John Moon died in flat #9, 12 Curzon Place, London. Ironically, it was the same flat that Mama Cass died in years before. One of rock's most talented and exciting drummers, and arguably its' greatest personification of its excesses, was dead.

Another member of Rock and Roll Heaven.

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