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. He wanted to get sober, but because of his fear of psychiatric hospitals, he wanted to do it at home. During the concert, Moon passed out on his drum kit during "Won't Get Fooled Again". When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. In an interview with Guitar World magazine, he recalled that the drummer "taught me how to break things. [39] While the other three members handled most of the onstage vocals, Moon would attempt to sing backup (particularly on "I Can't Explain"). Curbishley told Townshend, who informed the rest of the band. An addled Keith Moon f***ing with his kid was beyond forgiveness. His drumming continues to be praised by critics and musicians. Or why not treat yourself? 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. Keith with Annette on the night he died. Rock Musician. May 25, 2021, 3:00 pm [25] In the words of the drummer, "they said go ahead, and I got behind this other guy's drums and did one song-'Road Runner.' 3. 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 . 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. "[24]:52:29, Moon's arrival in the Who changed the dynamics of the group. [27], Moon was particularly fond of touring, since it was his only chance to regularly socialise with his bandmates, and was generally restless and bored when not playing live. But he was loud and strong. [10] Moon then enrolled at Harrow Technical College; this led to a job as a radio repairman, enabling him to buy his first drum kit. Editors Note: This article was originally published November 7, 2020. [92], He followed Moon when the drummer relocated to Los Angeles, but felt that the drug culture prevalent at the time was bad for Moon: "My job was to have eyes in the back of my head. My Wife04. 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. [32] "He wouldn't play across his kit", he later added. Go! Townshend called vocalist Roger Daltrey and then bassist John Entwistle, who was being interviewed at the time. He played on all the band's albums and singles from their . Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. "[181], Clem Burke of Blondie has said "Early on all I cared about was Keith Moon and the Who. Annette rang Dr Dymond, who called an ambulance. In 1972 the performance was released as a companion disc to Lennon and Ono's album Some Time in New York City. He left school at age fourteen, around Easter in 1961. The band stopped playing, and a group of roadies carried Moon offstage. Moon occasionally collaborated with other musicians and later appeared in films, but considered playing in the Who his primary occupation, and remained a member of the band until his death. Keith Moon was born on 23 August 1946, spending his formative years in Wembley, not far from the famous stadium. [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. Lilly called back with a. "The general perception of Keith Moon as a drummer is that he was . The chaos ended only when police arrived with guns drawn.[104]. [116] Daltrey later denied threatening to fire him, but said that by this time Moon was out of control. [71], Moon's friendship with Entwistle led to an appearance on Smash Your Head Against the Wall, Entwistle's first solo album and the first by a member of the Who. He is probably now best known for his big hit, 'Yesterday Man'. Keith Moon. He was in a bad mood and they argued, but Annette cooked him some more lamb. [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. The last time I was in town was the first time I'd ever visited Los Angeles on anything other than business. 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. Keith Moon's Death Remembered. When she objected, Moon replied, "If you don't like it, you can fuck off!" Keith Moon was only 31 at the time, but his endless partying had taken a severe toll on his body. He watched a film (The Abominable Dr. Phibes), and asked Walter-Lax to cook him steak and eggs. The last album that Moon recorded with The Who was Who Are You, but his worsening health slowed the process; he would often arrive to practice barely able to hold onto his drumsticks. 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. 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. 1. A true rollercoaster career that would epitomise the folly of being a rock star, Moon has remained a tragic figure ever since. He'd move his arms forward like a skier. . On That'll Be the Day it was social drinking. Moon is recording skits to play between songs while filling in for disc jockey John . Mikey Dolenz tells a story about bringing Badfinger's "Without You" to the attention of Nilsson. Although that supergroup was never formed, Page remembered the phrase and later adapted it as the name of his new band. "[89], According to Townshend, Moon began destroying hotel rooms when the Who stayed at the Berlin Hilton on tour in late 1966. . 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. Tony Fletcher wrote that "no toilet in a hotel or changing room was safe" until Moon had exhausted his supply of explosives. "[110] Doctors told Curbishley that if he had not intervened, Moon would have bled to death. Rocks greatest drummer was just 32 years old when he died. (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? The public Keith Moon was The Who 's manic drummer and hellraising, daredevil comedian; a man who only ever lived in the moment. 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. 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. 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. We tell stories with heart, humor, and authenticity to celebrate American life. But Annette hadnt realised quite how many pills he was taking. 0 Votes. Recorded on August 14th, 1975. (Moon was close with all the Beatles, especially John Lennon and Ringo Starr.) After an investigation, the coroner ruled Boland's death an accident; Moon, having been charged with a number of offences, received an absolute discharge. Dymond prescribed a bottle of 100 pills, instructing him to take one pill when he felt a craving for alcohol but not more than three pills per day. You can't help but feel that some of the last words of the famous people on this list encapsulate their personas. 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. Moon also played timpani on another track, a cover of Jerome Kern's "Ol' Man River". Six were digested, sufficient to cause his death; the other 26 were undigested when he died. [123] She and Moon were married on 17 March 1966 at Brent Register Office,[124] and their daughter Amanda was born on 12 July. 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. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon and Sun are on opposite sides of Earth. While he was still using cocaine, the fact that he didnt go wild on the free champagne was considered progress. [65] Later that year, during their appearance on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, he bribed a stagehand to load gunpowder into one of his bass drums; the stagehand used about ten times the standard amount. Moon's lifestyle began to undermine his health and reliability. "[152], On 6 September, Moon and Walter-Lax were guests of Paul and Linda McCartney at a preview of a film, The Buddy Holly Story. Blues singer Bessie Smith died saying, "I'm going . Bessie Smith. [160] Keyboardist John "Rabbit" Bundrick, who had rehearsed with Moon earlier in the year,[115] joined the live band as an unofficial member. She still remembered the last time they met. . [50], The drummer produced the violin solo on "Baba O'Riley". Fletcher considers the drumming on this album to be the best of Moon's career. "[126], From 1971 to 1975 Moon owned Tara, a home in Chertsey where he initially lived with his wife and daughter. Upon returning, he asked the manager to stay for a moment, as he wanted to explain something. [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. . [91] These acts, often fuelled by drugs and alcohol, were Moon's way of demonstrating his eccentricity; he enjoyed shocking the public with them. The Who had reconvened . Heminevrin quelled the craving for alcohol, but sometimes left users in a docile and forgetful state. I'd bring in 'My Generation'. . [53] In 1973 Premier's marketing manager, Eddie Haynes, began consulting Moon about specific requirements. However, stands and foot pedals were frequently replaced; the drummer "would go through them like a knife through butter". "[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. Keith Moon was an English drummer who had a net worth equal to $10 million at the time of his death in 1978. [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 died shortly after the release of Who Are You. We tell stories with heart, humor, and authenticity to celebrate American life. It was just another night in the life of a successful rock star: a film premiere and a party. "[140] In 1974, Moon struck up a friendship with actor Oliver Reed while working on the film version of Tommy. When the audience demanded he do it again, Moon kicked over his drum kit. "[97], Moon's favourite stunt was to flush powerful explosives down toilets. [132] Marsh believes that Moon never truly recovered from the loss of his family. He was offered the job on the spot and immediately began drumming for The Who. : 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. "[158] The New Book of Rock Lists ranked Moon No. "I never realised dynamite was so powerful. Here, we take a look at five crazy, funny, and often dangerous Keith Moon moments. The band continued without him for several songs before Townshend asked, "Can anyone play the drums? Mark Blake is a music journalist and author. The proposal never happened. Nevertheless, the Who powered through a nine-song set that . Moons closest friend in the group then broke down in tears. For a short while, Daltrey's puch seemed to knock some sense into Moon. He was bloated and out of practice. Moon, in the words of Fletcher, had a "lack of control and timing," but Moon enjoyed playing. 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. During the finale of "My Generation", an altercation broke out on stage between Moon and Townshend which was reported on the front page of the New Musical Express the following week. [118] Even when the group became relatively financially stable after Tommy, Moon continued to rack up debts. [92] McLagan commented that Moon "couldn't handle it. "John [Entwistle] and I used to have fights it wasn't very serious, it was more of an emotional spur-of-the moment thing. [13] Moon also admired Elvis Presley's original drummer DJ Fontana, the Shadows' original drummer Tony Meehan[14] and the Pretty Things' Viv Prince. This drum solo would be the rock legends last. 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. "[29] These antics earned him the nickname "Moon the Loon".[30]. After a two-year break from touring, the bandmates were meeting to film one last set for the rockumentary, The Kids Are Alright but their first attempt had been dismal. Famous Last Words. "[103], The drummer immediately began drinking upon his arrival in Flint. But Keiths drinking and drug taking had impacted on his performance and his appearance. "[25] Daltrey said that Moon "just instinctively put drum fills in places that other people would never have thought of putting them. It was the concluding show on their tour. 1. Their debut album, My Generation, showcased the unique style of Moons drumming: full of tom-toms, crashing cymbals, and surf music influence. 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 late '70s proved a double whammy for the "Let My Love Open the Door" singer and his surviving bandmates. [147] Moon then took some clomethiazole tablets. [153], Curbishley phoned the flat at around 5:00p.m. looking for Moon, and Dymond gave him the news. [107] During the band's recording sabbatical between 1976 and 1978, Moon gained a considerable amount of weight. This is especially true during the instrumental break going into the last chorus. [79] Moon's next film role was J.D. The UK's Heritage Foundation disagreed with the decision, presenting a plaque which was unveiled on 9 March 2009. 1. [11], Moon took lessons from one of the loudest contemporary drummers, Screaming Lord Sutch's Carlo Little, at 10 shillings per lesson. He explained that the group had totally lost their way: "Harry Nilsson, Bobby Keyes, Keith Moon. [100] "All that porcelain flying through the air was quite unforgettable," Moon remembered. [179], Ray Davies notably lauded Moon's drumming during his speech for the Kinks' induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1990: " Keith Moon changed the sound of drumming. NB Down: II. Moon, on the other hand, is tucked away behind the drum set just outside the focus of Steins camerawork. "[36] On 23 June 1977, he made a guest appearance at a Led Zeppelin concert in Los Angeles. "[75] Dave Marsh, reviewing the album in Rolling Stone, wrote: "There isn't any legitimate reason for this album's existence. See more. That's the same as around $40 million today after adjusting for inflation. 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. 1. Moon (or Entwistle) remarked that a particular suggestion had gone down like a "lead zeppelin" (a play on "lead balloon"). Carlos Santana is a musician who needs little introduction. This erroneous date appeared in several otherwise-reliable sources, including the Townshend-authorised biography Before I Get Old: The Story of The Who. It wasn't long after moving into Nilsson's apartment that Moon started his course with Hemievrin . [135], In 1975 Moon began a relationship with Swedish model Annette Walter-Lax, who later said that Moon was "so sweet when he was sober, that I was just living with him in the hope that he would kick all this craziness. [24]:7:44, Although Moon was known for kicking over his drum kit, Haynes claimed that it was done carefully and the kit rarely needed repairs. He was also the songwriter responsible for many of Sandie Shaw's most But it worked. He became addicted to alcohol, particularly brandy and champagne, and acquired a reputation for decadence and dark humour; his nickname was "Moon the Loon". "And of course from that moment on," the guitarist remembered, "we got thrown out of every hotel we ever stayed in. Moon was . Perhaps he paused to register the publicity it . Posted by 10 years ago. Keith Moon: Classic Images of the Iconic Drummer . But it's the funniest one so far, and also (to my mind) the cleverest. Shooting is set to begin on the Moon pic in June, and the casting process has been rumbling along for a few months already. [138] In the early 1970s Moon helped Stanshall with his "Radio Flashes" radio show for BBC Radio 1, filling in for the vacationing John Peel. "[142], Peter "Dougal" Butler began working for the Who in 1967, becoming Moon's personal assistant the following year[143] to help him stay out of trouble. Unfortunately for Keith these ended up being his last words. His last word was "Mozart!". BA1 1UA. The last straw was when Keith Moon came into Drum City with a snare case and stole a full case . What nobody knew was the damaging effects of the prescription drugs he was taking and in such quantities. When Haynes said that it would be prohibitively expensive, Moon replied: "Dear boy, do exactly as you feel it should be, but that's the way I want it." [57] This kit was not used at the Who's performance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival.