Moon's performance on "Bell Boy" (Quadrophenia, 1973) saw him abandon "serious" vocal performances to sing in character, which gave him (in Fletcher's words) "full licence to live up to his reputation as a lecherous drunk"; it was "exactly the kind of performance the Who needed from him to bring them back down to earth. [15] He also enjoyed singing, with a particular interest in Motown. (Republished in Modern Drummer Magazine, April 2006), Last edited on 15 February 2023, at 16:59, "Modern Drummer's Readers Poll Archive, 19792014", "Rolling Stone Readers Pick Best Drummers of All Time", "Roger Daltrey: 'Keith Moon Would've Left The Who for The Beach Boys', "The Day Keith Moon Joined Led Zeppelin Onstage", "Interview with Ron Caines And Geoff Nicholson", "19731974 Premier double tom row kits | Keith Moon's Drumkits | Whotabs", "Smash Your Head Against The Wall (credits)", "Interview with Dougal Butler by Mark Raison", "Who's vexed? [66] During the finale of "My Generation", he set off the charge. The couple arrived at Peppermint Park, where Annette has since insisted Moon didnt drink or, if he did, limited himself to just two drinks. Watch. He was named as hyperactive as a boy, with a restless imagination and a particular fondness for The Goon Show and music. "Thomas Jefferson survives." What Adams didn't know was that Jefferson had actually passed away several hours earlier. [9] On his way home from school, Moon would often go to Macari's Music Studio on Ealing Road to practise on the drums there, learning his basic skills on the instrument. Right there and then I knew something was wrong. When he briefly considered leaving the Who in 1966, he spoke with Entwistle and Page about forming a supergroup. Rare covers every corner of American culture with no slant or bias. "[173], Several rock drummers, including Neil Peart[174] have cited Moon as an influence. We were trying to kill ourselves.". I'd bring in 'My Generation'. [147] Moon then took some clomethiazole tablets. Keith Moon was born on 23 August 1946, spending his formative years in Wembley, not far from the famous stadium. 1. Q Magazine called the book "horrific and terrific reading", and Record Collector said it was "one of rock's great biographies. September 7, 2018. "[44], Moon composed "I Need You", the instrumental "Cobwebs and Strange" (from the album A Quick One, 1966),[45] the single B-sides "In The City" (co-written with Entwistle)[46] and "Girl's Eyes" (from The Who Sell Out sessions featured on Thirty Years of Maximum R&B and a 1995 re-release of The Who Sell Out), "Dogs Part Two" (1969), "Tommy's Holiday Camp" (1969)[47] and "Waspman" (1972). During much of 1964 and 1965 his setups consisted of Ludwig drums and Zildjian cymbals. Drummer Keith Moon (1947 - 1978), of British rock group The Who, in a radio studio at Broadcasting House, London, 12th July 1973. [21] The Beachcombers all had day jobs; Moon, who worked in the sales department at British Gypsum, had the keenest interest in turning professional. Curbishley told Townshend, who informed the rest of the band. It was the concluding show on their tour. In 1966 he worked with Yardbirds guitarist Jeff Beck, pianist Nicky Hopkins and future Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones on the instrumental "Beck's Bolero", which was the B-side to "Hi Ho Silver Lining" and appeared on the album Truth. Falling in love with drum playing, he soon joined a group called The. I said, Whats wrong? He said, No, no, you suddenly realise who your friends are Moon didnt elaborate, and Carr later admitted the drummer looked, shagged out and like a caricature of himself., Inside the cinema, Keith seemed agitated and insisted they leave an hour into the movie. Upon returning, he asked the manager to stay for a moment, as he wanted to explain something. [77], In the 2007 documentary film Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who, Daltrey and Townshend reminisced about Moon's talent for dressing as (and embodying) a variety of characters. "Drinking suited the group a lot better. [108] Moon passed out again during "Magic Bus", and was again removed from the stage. [172] Adam Budofsky, editor of Drummer magazine, said that Moon's performances on Who's Next and Quadrophenia "represent a perfect balance of technique and passion" and "there's been no drummer who's touched his unique slant on rock and rhythm since. Keith stopped his footsteps, his heart still beating fast. Moon developed a habit of kicking over his drums, claiming that he did so in exasperation at an audience's indifference. God bless you, Harry, wherever you are but, Jesus, you know, I had . After all, the corpse of Keith Moon, legendary drummer for the Who, is right there on the first page. His first was in 1971, a cameo in Frank Zappa's 200 Motels as a nun afraid of dying from a drug overdose. The press party for the release of the Who's Next album was held at Tara. Previous article Police are shocked at what this teenage treasure hunter found. According to Louder Sound, he had been trying to reduce his drug use, even going so far has to use the sedative Heminevrin to combat his alcohol cravings. Smith remembers one occasion where he and Moon tore apart a pair of trousers, with an accomplice later looking for one-legged trousers. "[99], Moon moved from cherry bombs to M-80 fireworks to sticks of dynamite, which became his explosive of choice. Earlier that night, Moon and his girlfriend, Annette Walter-Lax, attended the Buddy Holly Story premiere with Linda and Paul McCartney. Guitarist Pete Townshend was the first Who member to be told the news by the groups co-manager Jackie Curbishley. the classic rock band which still performs to this day. Idiotic in other respects". [61] Townshend later said, "A set of skins is about $300 [then 96] and after every show he'd just go bang, bang, bang and then kick the whole thing over. [13] Moon also admired Elvis Presley's original drummer DJ Fontana, the Shadows' original drummer Tony Meehan[14] and the Pretty Things' Viv Prince. $37.74 8 Used from $13.97 9 New from $22.34. He watched a film (The Abominable Dr. Phibes), and asked Walter-Lax to cook him steak and eggs. He was, they insist, trying to get better. Moon joined The Who when he was only 17 years old. "[110] Doctors told Curbishley that if he had not intervened, Moon would have bled to death. Townshend later said that Jones "was one of the few British drummers who could fill Keith's shoes";[159] Daltrey was less enthusiastic, saying that Jones "wasn't the right style". Blues singer Bessie Smith died saying, "I'm going . A month before his death, The Who released their then . For many close to Keith, his death came as more of a shock because they knew hed cut back on the excessive behaviour. Daltrey, Townshend, Robin Gibb and Moon's mother Kit were present at the ceremony. [146], In mid-1978, Moon moved into Flat 12, 9 Curzon Place (later Curzon Square), Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London, renting from Harry Nilsson. See more. Keith Moon. Moon continuously promoted his eccentric clown drummer image through exaggerated or simply false stories about his life. Jul 9, 2019 - Knowing the last words that someone spoke can sometimes throw light on their character or on the circumstances in which they died. The film is supported by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend. [92] Butler quit in 1978, and later wrote of his experiences in a book entitled Full Moon: The Amazing Rock and Roll Life of Keith Moon. "[7], Moon joined his local Sea Cadet Corps band at the age of twelve on the bugle, but found the instrument too difficult to learn and decided to take up drums instead. [105] Townshend claimed that the Who were banned for life from all of the hotel's properties,[106] but Fletcher wrote that they stayed at a Holiday Inn in Rochester, New York, a week later. He was also the songwriter responsible for many of Sandie Shaw's most The Who's drummer, Keith Moon, was at the height of his career and fame in 1970, the same year his name was plastered all over the news for reasons other than his band's massive success or his typical rockstar antics. Track Records-MCA released a Moon solo single in 1974, comprising cover versions of the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry, Baby" and "Teenage Idol". He was posthumously inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1982, becoming the second rock drummer to be chosen, and in 2011, Moon was voted the second-greatest drummer in history by a Rolling Stone readers' poll. "[158] The New Book of Rock Lists ranked Moon No. A drummer in the audience, Scot Halpin, came up and played the rest of the show. "[78], Early in the Who's career, Moon got to know the Beatles. After clearing the plate, Moon took more Heminevrin and fell asleep again. At the age of 12, he had joined the Sea Cadet Corp and was given his first musical instrument, the bugle. [39] While the other three members handled most of the onstage vocals, Moon would attempt to sing backup (particularly on "I Can't Explain"). Go! 0 Votes. [79] Moon's next film role was J.D. Annette Walter-Lax says the Who drummers last words were If you dont like it, you can f*** off! After Annette left the flat, Moon took a deadly amount of Heminevrin: 32 pills. This new edition includes a newly written After word that consiers Moon's lasting legacy . But he ultimately died of a drug overdose on September 7, 1978. Of the thirty-two Heminevrin tablets he found in Moon's stomach, twenty-six were undissolved. What nobody knew was the damaging effects of the prescription drugs he was taking and in such quantities. [32] "He wouldn't play across his kit", he later added. He played on all the band's albums and singles from their . [64], On the Who's early US package tour at the RKO 58th Street Theatre in New York in March and April 1967, Moon performed two or three shows a day, kicking over his drum kit after every show. Carlos Santana is a musician who needs little introduction. NB Down: II. Moon (or Entwistle) remarked that a particular suggestion had gone down like a "lead zeppelin" (a play on "lead balloon"). Sisters Tammy Slaton Says She Was Speechless After Caleb Willinghams Proposal, CNNs Kasie Hunt Gives Birth to Second Baby in Bathroom After 13-Minute Sudden Labor, Pregnant Kaley Cuoco Shares Sweet Selfies with Tom Pelphrey, Waiting For Baby Girl. Keith Moon, The Whos hard-partying drummer, was famous for degenerate behavior that still defines the rock star image like blowing up hotel room toilets with cherry bombs. When you've got money and you do the kind of things I get up to, people laugh and say that you're eccentric, which is a polite way of saying you're fucking mad. The UK's Heritage Foundation disagreed with the decision, presenting a plaque which was unveiled on 9 March 2009. Here you'll find all collections you've created before. After the pair socialised for a few days, Moon and Entwistle brought Johnston to the set of Ready Steady Go!,[63] which made them late for a show with the Who that evening. . But his snoring meant Annette retreated to the sofa, where she slept until 3:40pm. I went into a panic.. In the wake of Keith Moon's death, The Who continued to tour although Pete Townshend has admitted that this professional push was "completely irrational . Moon's lifestyle began to undermine his health and reliability. [59], At an early show at the Railway Tavern in Harrow, Townshend smashed his guitar after accidentally breaking it. Pinterest. I just want to play drums for the Who and that's it. By 1966, The Who had become bona fide pop stars. [16] Moon idolised the Beach Boys;[17] Roger Daltrey later said that given the opportunity, Moon would have left to play for the California band even at the peak of the Who's fame. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon and Sun are on opposite sides of Earth. Subsitute03. At a Madison Square Garden show on 10 June 1974, Townshend and Entwistle decided to spontaneously stop playing during "Waspman" to listen to Moon's drum solo. Speaking of both Nilsson and Moon, Lennon said: "I think Harry might still be trying, poor bugger. If they have a round table, some glasses and candles, we might contact him. [130], In 1973 Kim, convinced that neither she nor anyone else could moderate Keith's behaviour, left her husband and took Amanda;[131] she sued for divorce in 1975 and later married Faces keyboard player Ian McLagan. When Walter-Lax checked on him the following afternoon, she discovered he was dead. Moon was the bad boy of rock & roll, the most manic member of an aggressive and fabulously successful band, a full-throttle . The Who spent the afternoon visiting local radio stations with Nancy Lewis (then the band's publicist), and Moon posed for a photo outside the hotel in front of a "Happy Birthday Keith" sign put up by the hotel management. His band recently released their new album called . He was noted for his unique style of playing and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour. The Mamas and the Papas singer, Cass Elliot had died in the same flat four years prior also at the age of 32. All rights reserved. Squ. "[24]:52:29, Moon's arrival in the Who changed the dynamics of the group. Most would agree that the apartment was cursed, although Townshend assured his friend that lightning wouldnt strike the same place twice. How wrong he was. Moon, so far gone in his addictions, was out of practice could barely keep up with the band. According to Fletcher, Moon's toilet pyrotechnics began in 1965 when he purchased a case of 500 cherry bombs. Sandom had generally been the peacemaker as Daltrey and Townshend feuded between themselves, but because of Moon's temperament the group now had four members frequently in conflict. [58] From 1967 to 1969 Moon used the "Pictures of Lily" drum kit (named for its artwork), which had two 22-inch (56cm) bass drums, two 16-inch (41cm) floor toms and three mounted toms. . In April 1964, aged 17,[22] he auditioned for the Who as a replacement for Doug Sandom. AllMusic's Bruce Eder said, "When Keith Moon died, the Who carried on and were far more competent and reliable musically, but that wasn't what sold rock records. In the video for Wont Get Fooled Again (linked above), the triple split-screen details energetic displays by guitarist Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey at the mic, and bassist John Entwistle. He hugged me for about two or three minutes, said Carr, who noticed Keith was crying when he pulled away. According to biographer Tony Fletcher, Moons elementary school music teacher noted that the boy had great ability but must guard against a tendency to show off. That performative streak would come to define the young rock drummer. When she refused, he said, "If you don't like it, you can fuck off!" Those were his last words - he was found dead of an overdose after. Entwistle was giving an interview to two journalists when he was interrupted by a phone call with the news of Moon's death. Featured Specials and Programs. [98], Entwistle recalled being close to Moon on tour and both were often involved in blowing up toilets. 2 in their list of the 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time, behind John Bonham. A furious Holiday Inn management presented the groups with a bill for $24,000, which was reportedly settled by Herman's Hermits tour manager Edd McCann. I'd been used to penny bangers before. "[101], Once, a hotel manager called Moon in his room and asked him to lower the volume on his cassette recorder because it made "too much noise." At Moons funeral Daltrey told the mourners he still half-expected Keith to leap from the coffin, claiming it was all a joke. The group was concerned that he would be unable to complete the last leg of the tour, which ended at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on 21 October (Moon's last public show). His drumming continues to be praised by critics and musicians. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 'The quantity was enormous,' Professor Simpson wrote down, 'and constituted a vast overdose.'. [141] Although Reed matched Moon drink for drink, he appeared on set the next morning ready to perform; Moon, on the other hand, would cost several hours of filming time. Pub patrons had begun to attack his Bentley; Moon, drunk, began driving to escape them and hit Boland. Moon the Loons aptitude for music was clear during his Wembley childhood as were his more troubling tendencies. [157], Townshend persuaded Daltrey and Entwistle to carry on touring as The Who, although he later said that it was his means of coping with Moon's death and "completely irrational, bordering on insane". It was a powerful sedative prescribed to him by Harley Street physician, Dr Geoffrey Dymond. It was the concluding show on their tour. Keith Moon's Death Remembered.
