Following the explosion, Moon turned the recorder back on and said, "That, dear boy, was noise. Track Records-MCA released a Moon solo single in 1974, comprising cover versions of the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry, Baby" and "Teenage Idol". Rock Musician. The couple arrived at Peppermint Park, where Annette has since insisted Moon didnt drink or, if he did, limited himself to just two drinks. [118] Even when the group became relatively financially stable after Tommy, Moon continued to rack up debts. [12] Moon's early style was influenced by jazz, American surf music and rhythm and blues, exemplified by noted Los Angeles studio drummer Hal Blaine. This erroneous date appeared in several otherwise-reliable sources, including the Townshend-authorised biography Before I Get Old: The Story of The Who. TIL that drummer Keith Moon's last words were "If you don't like it, you can just fuck off!" as a response to his then girlfriend when she refused to cook him a steak and egg breakfast. Keith Moon and daughter Amanda with some of his car collection. There was rumour that Keith was self-taught,. He was noted for his unique style of playing and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour. The destruction mesmerised him, and enhanced his public image as rock's premier hell-raiser. During the 1973 Quadrophenia tour, at the Who's debut US date at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California, Moon ingested a mixture of tranquillisers and brandy. We couldn't pull ourselves out. "[158] The New Book of Rock Lists ranked Moon No. 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. Back to late 1966 for an example of the band's youthful sound and a power-pop prototype from their second album, A Quick One. Not a man prone to public displays of emotion, Entwistle continued with the interview until asked when The Who plans for the future. But The Kids Are Alright director Jeff Stein insisted they try again, this time at Shepperton Studios. Keith John Moon (23 August 1946 - 7 September 1978) was an English drummer for the rock band the Who.He was noted for his unique style of playing and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour. Nevertheless, the Who powered through a nine-song set that . Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. [72] Rolling Stone's John Hoegel appreciated Entwistle's decision not to let Moon drum, saying that it distanced his album from the familiar sound of the Who. Although it only took 13 days to film, fellow cast member Howard Kaylan remembers Moon spending off-camera time at the Kensington Garden Hotel bar instead of sleeping. The chaos ended only when police arrived with guns drawn.[104]. "[110] Doctors told Curbishley that if he had not intervened, Moon would have bled to death. The public Keith Moon was The Who 's manic drummer and hellraising, daredevil comedian; a man who only ever lived in the moment. Speaking of both Nilsson and Moon, Lennon said: "I think Harry might still be trying, poor bugger. During the concert, Moon passed out on his drum kit during "Won't Get Fooled Again". Moon was the bad boy of rock & roll, the most manic member of an aggressive and fabulously successful band, a full-throttle . 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. [91] These acts, often fuelled by drugs and alcohol, were Moon's way of demonstrating his eccentricity; he enjoyed shocking the public with them. Keiths condition meant The Who were in no state to tour, which left him anxious and depressed. His work has appeared in The Times and The Daily Telegraph, and the magazines Q, Mojo, Classic Rock, Music Week and Prog. A true rollercoaster career that would epitomise the folly of being a rock star, Moon has remained a tragic figure ever since. Keith Moon was cremated on 13 September 1978, at Golders Green Crematorium in . 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. Because I want to break your fucking jaw You have fucked this band around so many times and I'm not having it any more. This is the 'Oo. [80] He reprised the role for the film's 1974 sequel, Stardust,[81] in Jim MacLaine's (David Essex) backing band the Stray Cats and played Uncle Ernie in Ken Russell's 1975 film adaptation of Tommy. Keith Moon played his final tour date with the Who on Oct. 21, 1976, at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. 2 on the UK charts. He's dead, so what? "[134] Moon would harass them with phone calls, and on one occasion before Kim sued for divorce, he invited McLagan for a drink at a Richmond pub and sent several "heavies" to break into McLagan's home on Fife Road and look for Kim, forcing her to hide in a walk-in closet. In 2016, the same magazine ranked him No. Known as "Moon the Loon", he was known for being addicted to drugs and alcohol during his whole career . The real Keith Moon was a son, a brother, a father and an insecure man. 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. September 7, 2018. In addition to his talent as a drummer, Moon developed a reputation for smashing his kit on stage and destroying hotel rooms on tour. In Dear Boy, Tony Fletcher has captured lightning in a bottle - the essence of a totally . He was the drummer for the seminal and influential English rock band The Who. On This Day in History: Keith Moons Final Performance with The Who, Dozens of People Receive Racist Email from Walmart, 6-Year-Old Shot Dead After Mom Flips Off Driver in Road Rage Incident. 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. [123] She and Moon were married on 17 March 1966 at Brent Register Office,[124] and their daughter Amanda was born on 12 July. . He became addicted to alcohol, particularly brandy and champagne, and acquired a reputation for decadence and dark humour; his nickname was "Moon the Loon". Blues singer Bessie Smith died saying, "I'm going . "[143] Townshend agreed, saying that by 1975 Butler had "no influence over him whatsoever. For a short while, Daltrey's puch seemed to knock some sense into Moon. [121] The incorrect date had been supplied by Moon in interviews before it was corrected by Fletcher to 1946. In 1966 Moon moved to an even larger kit,[55] but without the customary hi-hatat the time he preferred keeping ride rhythms with ride and crash cymbals, but he later reinstated the hi-hats. Keith died in London on 7 September 1978, from an accidental overdose . Keith had been exceeding his prescribed dose of Heminevrin the same way he abused every other drug. Keith Moon's (original drummer for The Who) last words were "if you don't like it, you can fuck off!" So rock and roll. "[75] Dave Marsh, reviewing the album in Rolling Stone, wrote: "There isn't any legitimate reason for this album's existence. September 6, 1978. 25 JUDAS PRIEST / PRISONER OF YOUR EYES Judas Priest can write a goddamn ballad - "Last Rose of Summer" from Sin After Sin is the definition of a bittersweet kiss, and Turbo 's "Out in the Cold," so icy and forlorn, is secretly one of their best songs. . Or why not treat yourself? The enigmatic member of The Who is easily one of the greatest to have ever sat behind the kit. Composer Gustav Mahler died in bed, conducting an imaginary orchestra. [21] The Beachcombers all had day jobs; Moon, who worked in the sales department at British Gypsum, had the keenest interest in turning professional. Moon's drumming style affected the band's musical structure; although Entwistle initially found Moon's lack of conventional timekeeping problematic, it created an original sound. Go! He ate the steak while he watched the film The Abominable Dr Phibes but fell back to sleep after taking 32 Heminevrin tablets which were prescribed to help alcohol withdrawal. The last photo of Keith Moon As last words go, they are pretty hard to beat. It was Professor Keith Simpson, as it was with Cass Elliot, who performed the post mortem. If you want to come, we'll pick you up in the van.' Previous article Police are shocked at what this teenage treasure hunter found. "John [Entwistle] and I used to have fights it wasn't very serious, it was more of an emotional spur-of-the moment thing. Shooting is set to begin on the Moon pic in June, and the casting process has been rumbling along for a few months already. [96] David Puttnam recalled, "The drinking went from being a joke to being a problem. Sign up below to get the latest from Classic Rock, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! 1. Keith John Moon (23 August 1946 - 7 September 1978) was an English drummer best known as being a member of the rock band The Who.He was famous for his frantic drumming style, his use of fills, his destructive, volatile behavior and his heavy drinking that help earn him the nickname "Moon the Loon." Keith Moon joined The Who in 1964. However, stands and foot pedals were frequently replaced; the drummer "would go through them like a knife through butter". He also claimed that, while he had not personally seen a car in a swimming pool, he had seen a bill for damages and removal. [137] Moon later became friends with Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band members Vivian Stanshall and "Legs" Larry Smith, and the trio would drink and play practical jokes together. Moon (or Entwistle) remarked that a particular suggestion had gone down like a "lead zeppelin" (a play on "lead balloon"). [117], Because the Who's early stage act relied on smashing instruments, and owing to Moon's enthusiasm for damaging hotels, the group were in debt for much of the 1960s; Entwistle estimated they lost about 150,000. Keith with Annette on the night he died. "Substitute," the band's follow-up, cracked the top . Back at the hotel a mle erupted; fire extinguishers were set off, guests (and objects) thrown into the swimming pool and a piano reportedly destroyed. Fletcher considers the drumming on this album to be the best of Moon's career. [67] A clip of the incident became the opening scene for the film The Kids Are Alright. Published on 07/26/2019. [98], Entwistle recalled being close to Moon on tour and both were often involved in blowing up toilets. In an interview with Guitar World magazine, he recalled that the drummer "taught me how to break things. The drummer explained that since a cherry bomb was about to explode, he had thrown it down the toilet and showed Townshend the case of cherry bombs. He was posthumously inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1982, becoming only the second rock . This later carried over to other aspects of his life, as he acted them out (according to journalist and Who biographer Dave Marsh) "as if his life were one long tour. No one. [70] On 15 December 1969, Moon joined John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band for a live performance at the Lyceum Theatre in London for a UNICEF charity concert. His music blends a unique mix of rock, jazz and influences from his Mexican heritage. Keith Moon was more than just rock's greatest drummer, he was a phenomenal character and an extravagant hell raiser who - in a final, uncharacteristic act of grace - actually did die before he got old. "A Quick One, While . . With a focus on news, media, and humor, we are a RARE voice in todays media landscape. "People will be talking about Keith Moon 'til they die, man. Chris Andrews (born Christopher Frederick Andrews in Romford on 15 October 1942) is an English-German singer-songwriter whose musical career started in the late 1950s. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Gustav Mahler. New Musical Express's Roy Carr wrote, "Moonie, if you didn't have talent, I wouldn't care; but you have, which is why I'm not about to accept Two Sides of the Moon. . He said: 'You'll have to give up work there's this gig on Monday. When asked by an audience member what would happen to the kit, he joked that "even the best drummers get hungry. Townshend went on to describe Moon's wildman antics, explaining that, "Keith was an eccentric player, and seemed to be showing off all the time, pointing his sticks up in the air and leaning over the drums with his face thrust forward as if to be nearer the front of stage. 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. [100][184], Anatomy of a Drum Solo DVD, Neil Peart (2005) accompanying booklet. : Clem Burke Talks About Eurythmics To Modern Drummer", "The Who's Keith Moon to be honoured with 'blue plaque', "Keith Moon's Love/Hate Relationship With His Drum Set", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Keith_Moon&oldid=1139537465, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 16:59. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. At Moons funeral Daltrey told the mourners he still half-expected Keith to leap from the coffin, claiming it was all a joke. [6] His art teacher said in a report: "Retarded artistically. [129] The Moons entertained extravagantly at home, and owned a number of cars. "[126], From 1971 to 1975 Moon owned Tara, a home in Chertsey where he initially lived with his wife and daughter. Dressed in ginger clothes and with his hair dyed ginger (future bandmate Pete Townshend later described him as a "ginger vision"),[24]:52:40 he claimed to his would-be bandmates that he could play better; he played in the set's second half, nearly demolishing the drum kit in the process. BA1 1UA. Clomethiazole is discouraged for unsupervised detoxification because of its addictive potential, its tendency to induce tolerance, and its risk of death when mixed with alcohol. The Who performed two songs that night - I Can See For Miles, the band's first . Keith Moon. When The Who featured as guests on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in September 1967, the band was asked by the hosts in advance to destroy their instruments. In the wake of Keith Moons death, The Who continued to tour although Pete Townshend has admitted that this professional push was completely irrational, bordering on insane. Following Keith Moon, The Who cycled through several drummers, including Ringo Starrs son, but none were ever the perfect replacement. On the album cover, he is seated on a chair back-to-front to hide the weight gained over three years (as discussed in Tony Fletcher's book Dear Boy ); the words "NOT TO BE TAKEN AWAY" appear on the back of the chair. [151], By September 1978 Moon was having difficulty playing the drums, according to roadie Dave "Cy" Langston. THOMAS JEFFERSON. "[78], Nevertheless, the drummer landed several acting roles. [60] Subsequent live sets culminated in what the band later described as "auto-destructive art", in which band members (particularly Moon and Townshend) elaborately destroyed their equipment. Always unpredictable, the mercurial drummer performed one of his last-ever shows amid unfamiliar surroundings, given that he was on stage with the mighty Led Zeppelin in 1977. The AZ Of Queen, Peter Grant, The Story Of Rock's Greatest Manager and Pretend You're in a War: The Who & The Sixties. Annette rang Dr Dymond, who called an ambulance. [125] The marriage (and child) were kept secret from the press until May 1968. His 21st birthday party in Flint, Michigan, has been cited as a notorious example of decadent behaviour by rock groups. TIL that Keith Moon, the drummer for The Who, asked his then-girlfriend, Walter-Lax, to cook him steak and eggs. 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. On That'll Be the Day it was social drinking. During much of 1964 and 1965 his setups consisted of Ludwig drums and Zildjian cymbals. Related articles John Lennon letter to Keith Moon and Harry Nilsson fetches 53,000 Moon led a destructive lifestyle. Squ. Rival 'blue plaque' for Moon puts heritage row centre stage", "John Entwistle, 57; Innovative Bass Player Co-Founded The Who", "Roger Daltrey: 'Keith Moon lived his entire life as a fantasy', "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)", "Iconic model who married Keith Moon dies in car crash", "Who Drummer Zak Starkey Holds Down Super Bowl Halftime", "London 2012 organisers wanted Keith Moon to play at Olympics ceremony", "Interview: 1985?? [78] Reed later said that Moon "showed me the way to insanity. He would join them at clubs, forming a particularly close friendship with Ringo Starr. Cass Elliot of the Mamas and the Papas had died there four years earlier, at the age of 32;[147][148] Nilsson was concerned about letting the flat to Moon, believing it was cursed. It was exactly 40 years ago today that Who drummer . The Who's famous drummer ended his career as a musician and comedian when he lost his life on Sep. 7, 1978. But his snoring meant Annette retreated to the sofa, where she slept until 3:40pm. Moons playing was erratic and unreliable, and he was made to pose Christine Keeler-style for the cover photograph so as to conceal a paunch. [41] At the end of "Happy Jack", Townshend can be heard saying "I saw ya!" They gave him a shower and an injection of cortisone, sending him back onstage after a thirty-minute delay. Floor count. It wasn't long after moving into Nilsson's apartment that Moon started his course with Hemievrin . The Moon indeed. "[180], "God bless his beautiful heart" Ozzy Osbourne told Sounds a month after the drummer's death. Goodnight Keith Moon: A Parody!, Bruce Worden, Clare Cross. With a focus on news, media, and humor, we are a RARE voice in todays media landscape. "[92], In a limousine on the way to the airport, Moon insisted they return to their hotel, saying "I forgot something." some gave all Carrie Underwood: Play On Carrie Underwood: Play On Dolly Parton: slow dancing with the moon Garth Brooks: Ropin . Of the Whos most famous works, My Generation, Live at Leeds, Whos Next, Tommy, Quadrophenia, and Who Are You, all were reordered prior to 1978 and include Moon. "[76] During one of his few televised solo drum performances (for ABC's Wide World), Moon played a five-minute drum solo dressed as a cat on transparent acrylic drums filled with water and goldfish. Moons final performance with the band took place on May 25, 1978, just months before the musicians premature death at the age of 32. The band was looking for a replace their original drummer, Doug Sandom, and his audition became a quintessential Keith Moon display: already loaded, Moon played hard enough to destroy the drum kit, busting through two drumheads and breaking off the bass pedal. It was less helpful for his cocaine habit. In response the drummer asked him up to his room, excused himself to go to the bathroom, put a lit stick of dynamite in the toilet and shut the bathroom door. Although it featured Moon on vocals, he played drums on only three tracks; most of the drumming was left to others (including Ringo Starr, session musicians Curly Smith and Jim Keltner, and actor-musician Miguel Ferrer). [147] Moon then took some clomethiazole tablets. Today. I'd been used to penny bangers before. [40] Moon's knack for making his bandmates laugh around the microphone led them to banish him from the studio when vocals were being recorded; this led to a game in which Moon would sneak in to join the singing. We tell stories with heart, humor, and authenticity to celebrate American life. 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 . [122] By the end of the year she discovered she was pregnant. By the time that Keith Moon took to the stage at Shepperton Studios on May 25, 1978, his relationship with the rest of The Who was terribly strained. 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. Drummer Keith Moon (1947 - 1978), of British rock group The Who, in a radio studio at Broadcasting House, London, 12th July 1973. Moon attended Alperton Secondary Modern School after failing his eleven plus exam, which precluded his attending a grammar school. He was in a bad mood and they argued, but Annette cooked him some more lamb. "[93], Fletcher argues that the Who's lengthy break (15 December 1971 11 August 1972) between the end of their 1971 Who's Next Tour and the beginning of the Quadrophenia sessions devastated Moon's health,[94] as without the rigours of lengthy shows and regular touring that had previously kept him in shape, his hard-partying lifestyle took a greater toll on his body. But his wild exterior distracted from a slate of intense addiction issues. 'My Generation' was a turning point for me because before that it was all the Charlie Watts and Ringo type of thing. After the party, Moon and Annette attended the midnight premiere of The Buddy Holly Story at the Odeon, Leicester Square. Longtime friend and personal assistant Butler observed, "He was trying to make people laugh and be Mr Funny, he wanted people to love him and enjoy him, but he would go so far. $37.74 8 Used from $13.97 9 New from $22.34. Author Nick Talevski described him as "the greatest drummer in rock", adding that "he was to the drums what Jimi Hendrix was to the guitar. 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. I figured that was it. I'd several drinks to get me courage up and when I got onstage I went arrgggGhhhh on the drums, broke the bass drum pedal and two skins, and got off. "[78], Early in the Who's career, Moon got to know the Beatles. I'd bring in 'My Generation'. "I never realised dynamite was so powerful. I said: 'Nothing.' Actor: Tommy. [35], Unlike contemporary rock drummers such as Ginger Baker and John Bonham, Moon hated drum solos and refused to play them in concert. [126] Moon was occasionally violent towards Kim:[127] "if we went out after I had Mandy", she later said, "if someone talked to me, he'd lose it. Famous Last Words. [132] Marsh believes that Moon never truly recovered from the loss of his family. "[182], In 1998 Tony Fletcher published a biography of Moon, Dear Boy: The Life of Keith Moon, in the United Kingdom. Afterwards I was sitting at the bar and Pete came over. "[27] Moon also clashed with Daltrey and Townshend: "We really have absolutely nothing in common apart from music", he said in a later interview. It was a powerful sedative prescribed to him by Harley Street physician, Dr Geoffrey Dymond. After waking up, she ventured back into the bedroom, where she found Moon lying on his stomach with his left arm hanging over the side of the bed: I couldnt hear him breathing. 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. Moon, in the words of Fletcher, had a "lack of control and timing," but Moon enjoyed playing. 4: 'Who Are You' (live at Ramport Studios in Battersea, 1978) Filmed at The Who's Ramport Studios in Battersea, south London, Moon's performance, with his headphones gaffer-taped to his . He said: 'You come 'ere.' Watch. Upon returning home, the couple had a fight. Posted by 10 years ago. Butler never took them up on the offer. Baba O'Riley05. His first was in 1971, a cameo in Frank Zappa's 200 Motels as a nun afraid of dying from a drug overdose. The official cause of death was listed on the certificate as Clomethiazole (Heminevrin) overdose, self-administered but no evidence of intention. Keith Moon with the Who in 1970 - 74 was just a force of nature, and one I'm glad to have witnessed up close 3 times. And that was it. . He watched a film (The Abominable Dr. Phibes), and asked Walter-Lax to cook him steak and eggs. [58] At one point, Moon asked Premier to make a white kit with gold-plated fittings. "[140] In 1974, Moon struck up a friendship with actor Oliver Reed while working on the film version of Tommy. Moon lived a short and talented life that was fueled by famous friendships, alcoholism, and the drums. It's a wonder he didn't come round and personally flatten the diminutive drummer. Keith John Moon was born to working class parents in Wembley, London, England, on the 23rd August, 1946. The life and times of Keith Moon, the imperious drummer in The Who, is one marred in tragic lows and buoyed by ecstatic highs. He us the author of Pigs Might Fly: The Inside Story of Pink Floyd, Is This the Real Life: The Untold Story of Queen, Magnifico! Keith Moon. Moon's lifestyle began to undermine his health and reliability. Keith Moon on 6 September 1978, the night before he died, (Image credit: Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo), Keith Moon with Annette Walter-Lax in February 1978, (Image credit: John Downing / Getty Images), Keith Moon with girlfriend Annette Walter-Lax, photographed on the night he died, (Image credit: Anwar Hussein \/ / Getty Images), Gene Simmons hates Kiss' million-selling 1979 single I Was Made For Lovin' You, and not for the reason you think, The 10 best songs Jimmy Page has released since Led Zeppelin, Why you should definitely own Apple by Mother Love Bone, Meet the woman who let Metallica rehearse in her basement, Extreme announce first album in 15 years, unveil video for new single Rise, Every issue delivered direct to your door. "Thomas Jefferson survives." What Adams didn't know was that Jefferson had actually passed away several hours earlier. Moons closest friend in the group then broke down in tears. [68], Moon may have inspired the name for Led Zeppelin. According to Pamela Des Barres, Moon had nightmares (which woke them both) about the incident and said he had no right to be alive. [176] Animal, one of Jim Henson's Muppet characters, may have been based on Keith Moon due to their similar hair, eyebrows, personality and drumming style. 1. Keith Moon's Death Remembered. Sat 24th Apr 2021 15.30 BST. Moon is recording skits to play between songs while filling in for disc jockey John . 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". Producers on the movie are Sinclair, Oliver Veysey and Jeanne Elfant . [153], Curbishley phoned the flat at around 5:00p.m. looking for Moon, and Dymond gave him the news. He was noted for his unique style and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour. 1 on its list of "50 Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Drummers",[171] and he was ranked No. [134] She died in a car accident in Austin, Texas, on 2 August 2006. When he briefly considered leaving the Who in 1966, he spoke with Entwistle and Page about forming a supergroup. [151] Max Glatt, an authority on alcoholism, wrote in The Sunday Times that Moon should never have been given the drug. Unfortunately for Keith these ended up being his last words. After all, the corpse of Keith Moon, legendary drummer for the Who, is right there on the first page. Watch the full interview. Lets go.. At the end of the song, the drums go nuts. [90] In addition to hotel rooms, Moon destroyed friends' homes and even his own, including throwing furniture from upper-storey windows. 2 in their list of the 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time, behind John Bonham. [8] He was interested in practical jokes and home science kits, with a particular fondness for explosions. [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. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). He provided humorous commentary during song announcements, although sound engineer Bob Pridden preferred to mute his vocal microphone on the mixing desk whenever possible. He was restless, said Annette. But it's the funniest one so far, and also (to my mind) the cleverest. [32] "He wouldn't play across his kit", he later added. Moon developed a habit of kicking over his drums, claiming that he did so in exasperation at an audience's indifference. [119][120], Before the 1998 release of Tony Fletcher's Dear Boy: The Life of Keith Moon, Moon's date of birth was presumed to be 23 August 1947. A month earlier, The Who released Who Are You, their first new album in three years. He didn't do anything to talk of. Pinterest. 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.