Keith Moon embodies the spirit of what the Rock and Roll drummer should be. Wild, comical, and a true master at his craft.
Moon was the last to join the group, when he challenged the ability of the Detours' original drummer. Moon was famous for flailing his arms about while seated upon his throne, often piercing the skins of his drums. While Townshend made scrap wood of his guitars, Moon kicked over his drums, sometimes fillling them with gun powder (to the misfortune of his bandmates).
Keith was young and wreckless. A heavy drinker, Moon was the party animal, earning the Who a lifetime ban from the Holiday Inn. While he smashed up his drums onstage, he destryoed numerous dressing rooms and hotel rooms, with the help of his counterparts.
While not a particularly active composer, Moon contributed numerous back up singing, and an occasional lead. His primary achievement was his drum voicings. Moon treated the drums as a lead instrument, rarely playing an actual drum solo, however. His offbeat drum rolls and insane speed and melodic parts didn't make him a great timekeeper, but it was the glue that held the Who together.
Towards the end of the seventies, Moon found himself in an intense struggle with his drinking. He would collapse onstage, and his bandmates were beginning to doubt his futurte as a part of the Who. Moon died September 8, 1978 from an overdose of a drug given to him to control his drinking. Moon will never be forgotten, for he left behind a legacy (and a great deal of mess) to keep rock and roll on its toes.
Rest In Peace Moon the Loon |
