Keith Moon's Tragic Death Bizarrely Shocked Pete Townshead -- Real He became addicted to alcohol, particularly brandy and champagne, and acquired a reputation for decadence and dark humour; his nickname was "Moon the Loon". 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. The chaos ended only when police arrived with guns drawn.[104]. It wasn't long after moving into Nilsson's apartment that Moon started his course with Hemievrin . Lilly called back with a. "My Generation," released late in the previous year, shot to No. Moon Upon the Left | Chris Andrews Lyrics, Song Meanings, Videos, Full [91] These acts, often fuelled by drugs and alcohol, were Moon's way of demonstrating his eccentricity; he enjoyed shocking the public with them. Daltrey said in an interview with Vulture . The Last Words Spoken By Famous People (106 Pics) | Keith moon, Famous The last straw was when Keith Moon came into Drum City with a snare case and stole a full case . The Night Keith Moon Played His Final Who Concert Moon lived a short and talented life that was fueled by famous friendships, alcoholism, and the drums. [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. Bill Curbishley remembered that "he wouldn't walk into any room and just listen. Today. Shooting is set to begin on the Moon pic in June, and the casting process has been rumbling along for a few months already. [165][166] Starkey had previously toured in 1994 with Roger Daltrey. If they have a round table, some glasses and candles, we might contact him. 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. 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. In 1967, he contributed backing vocals to "All You Need Is Love". On September 6 Paul McCartney threw a party at the Covent Garden diner Peppermint Park to celebrate what would have been Buddy Hollys 42nd birthday. Producers on the movie are Sinclair, Oliver Veysey and Jeanne Elfant . 6. [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. "[84] She begged Malibu neighbour Larry Hagman to check Moon into a clinic to dry out (as he had attempted to do before), but when doctors recorded Moon's chemical intake at breakfast a bottle of champagne, Courvoisier and amphetamines they concluded that there was no hope for his rehabilitation. However, stands and foot pedals were frequently replaced; the drummer "would go through them like a knife through butter". The Who frontman Roger Daltrey has brought life back to his longtime passion project, a biopic about the iconic rock band's former drummer, Keith Moon. 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. It's a wonder he didn't come round and personally flatten the diminutive drummer. [143], On 4 January 1970 Moon accidentally killed his friend, driver and bodyguard, Neil Boland, outside the Red Lion pub in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. His first was in 1971, a cameo in Frank Zappa's 200 Motels as a nun afraid of dying from a drug overdose. He was an attention seeker and he had to have it. Keith died in London on 7 September 1978, from an accidental overdose . [50], The drummer produced the violin solo on "Baba O'Riley". After clearing the plate, Moon took more Heminevrin and fell asleep again. Track 9 Jam Session is an incomplete Eyesight To The Blind. [100] "All that porcelain flying through the air was quite unforgettable," Moon remembered. Tara was a house on St Anns Hill, Chertsey, Surrey owned by The Who 's drummer Keith Moon in the 1970s, but was demolished and replaced by a new home in 1990. Moon, so far gone in his addictions, was out of practice could barely keep up with the band. You can't help but feel that some of the last words of the famous people on this list encapsulate their personas. Dear Boy: The Life of Keith Moon - Tony Fletcher - Google Books Moon developed a habit of kicking over his drums, claiming that he did so in exasperation at an audience's indifference. [100][184], Anatomy of a Drum Solo DVD, Neil Peart (2005) accompanying booklet. Van der Valk Miss Scarlet & The Duke Antiques Roadshow PBS Newshour Finding Your Roots A month earlier, The Who released Who Are You, their first new album in three years. [18], During this time Moon joined his first serious band: the Escorts, replacing his best friend Gerry Evans. When Walter-Lax checked on him the following afternoon, she discovered he was dead. How Paul McCartney Responded When Keith Moon Asked to Join The Beatles And it was this version of Keith Moon that led to his untimely death on September 7 1978. [39] While the other three members handled most of the onstage vocals, Moon would attempt to sing backup (particularly on "I Can't Explain"). [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. The AZ Of Queen, Peter Grant, The Story Of Rock's Greatest Manager and Pretend You're in a War: The Who & The Sixties. Mass Market Paperback. [121] The incorrect date had been supplied by Moon in interviews before it was corrected by Fletcher to 1946. "And of course from that moment on," the guitarist remembered, "we got thrown out of every hotel we ever stayed in. The phrase "Dear Boy" became a catchphrase of Moon's when, influenced by Kit Lambert, he began affecting a pompous English accent. How Keith Moon Saved Carlos Santana's Debut Performance Subsitute03. 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 was noted for his unique style and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour. Upon returning, he asked the manager to stay for a moment, as he wanted to explain something. [132] Marsh believes that Moon never truly recovered from the loss of his family. He remembers managers Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp saying, "We trust you with Keith but if you ever want any time off, for a holiday or some sort of rest, let us know and we'll pay for it." 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. The Tragic Death Of The Who's Keith Moon - Grunge.com Dr. Luna specializes in general, cosmetic, restorative, and advanced Keith Moon Was An Incredible Drummer, And Here's The Proof - UPROXX Although that supergroup was never formed, Page remembered the phrase and later adapted it as the name of his new band. 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. I'd been used to penny bangers before. See more. "[110] Doctors told Curbishley that if he had not intervened, Moon would have bled to death. "[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). "[140] In 1974, Moon struck up a friendship with actor Oliver Reed while working on the film version of Tommy. By 1966, The Who had become bona fide pop stars. After seeing Moon in the studio trying to overdub drums for The Kids Are Alright, he said, "After two or three hours, he got more and more sluggish, he could barely hold a drum stick. That's the same as around $40 million today after adjusting for inflation. 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. Lets go.. GEORGE WASHINGTON. This one is . Smith remembers one occasion where he and Moon tore apart a pair of trousers, with an accomplice later looking for one-legged trousers. Keith Moon was an English drummer who had a net worth equal to $10 million at the time of his death in 1978. [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. [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. "[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. Keith Moon. NB Down by Law: Last of the Sharpshooters Dream Theater: Awake.NB Dreamtheater: Images and words.NB Dreamtheater: systematic chaos with bonus cd.NB Dropkick Murphys: Do or Die. [82] Moon's last film appearance was in 1978's Sextette.[83]. [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. Composer Gustav Mahler died in bed, conducting an imaginary orchestra. [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. [13] Moon also admired Elvis Presley's original drummer DJ Fontana, the Shadows' original drummer Tony Meehan[14] and the Pretty Things' Viv Prince. How Keith Moon Saved Carlos Santana's Debut Performance 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. TIL that Keith Moon, the drummer for The Who, asked his then - reddit [98], Entwistle recalled being close to Moon on tour and both were often involved in blowing up toilets. Keith Moon was more than just rock's greatest drummer, he was also its greatest character and wildest party animal. His exploits away from the drum kit are legendary, too, whether bribing a stagehand to add more dynamite for a surprise explosion of his drum set at the end of The Who's 1967 performance on The Smothers Brothers Show to earning a master's degree in wrecking hotel rooms and . Moon Girl aka,13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette comes to the park just as the brand new animated series, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, debuts on February 10 on Disney Channel and February 15 on . 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. According to Lewis, Moon was drunk by the time the band went onstage at Atwood Stadium. In his memoir, Who Am I?, Pete Townshend writes that he was terrified that Keith wouldnt be able to hide his deteriorating condition.. [175] The Jam paid homage to Moon on the second single from their third album, "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight"; the B-side of the single is a Who cover ("So Sad About Us"), and the back cover of the record has a photo of Moon's face. 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. McCartney had acquired the rights to Hollys song publishing, and a biopic, The Buddy Holly Story, was premiering later that night. Moon's drumming continues to be praised by critics and musicians. [167], The London 2012 Summer Olympic Committee contacted Curbishley about Moon performing at the games, 34 years after his death. The life and times of Keith Moon, the imperious drummer in The Who, is one marred in tragic lows and buoyed by ecstatic highs. I was scared to death. Speaking of both Nilsson and Moon, Lennon said: "I think Harry might still be trying, poor bugger. Others, including Led Zeppelins former tour manager Richard Cole, remember Moon telling them he planned to wed Annette. Moon the Loons aptitude for music was clear during his Wembley childhood as were his more troubling tendencies. Townshend called vocalist Roger Daltrey and then bassist John Entwistle, who was being interviewed at the time. Their debut album, My Generation, showcased the unique style of Moons drumming: full of tom-toms, crashing cymbals, and surf music influence. "I never realised dynamite was so powerful. At the age of 12, he had joined the Sea Cadet Corp and was given his first musical instrument, the bugle. Bessie Smith. Stay up to date with in depth music reviews, exclusive interviews and widespread coverage of whats happening from your favourite music genre. Fletcher considers the drumming on this album to be the best of Moon's career. some gave all Carrie Underwood: Play On Carrie Underwood: Play On Dolly Parton: slow dancing with the moon Garth Brooks: Ropin . He explained that the group had totally lost their way: "Harry Nilsson, Bobby Keyes, Keith Moon. Who will remember Joe Bloggs who got killed in a car crash? He felt very restless and didn't know what to do now.On the one hand, Nathania also felt the same anxiety. It was Professor Keith Simpson, as it was with Cass Elliot, who performed the post mortem. Watch Keith Moon's Final TV Interview, Filmed a Month Before His 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". [8] He was interested in practical jokes and home science kits, with a particular fondness for explosions. [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. (Moon was close with all the Beatles, especially John Lennon and Ringo Starr.) His band recently released their new album called . During some stages of a lunar eclipse, the Moon can appear reddish. The press party for the release of the Who's Next album was held at Tara. [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. For a short while, Daltrey's puch seemed to knock some sense into Moon. "He had no idea how to be a father", Kim said. [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. "[158][149] In November 1978, Faces drummer Kenney Jones joined the Who. "[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." [113] By the time of the Who's invitation-only show at the Gaumont State Cinema on 15 December 1977 for The Kids are Alright, Moon was visibly overweight and had difficulty sustaining a solid performance. 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. Moon led a destructive lifestyle. TIL that drummer Keith Moon's last words were "If you don't - Reddit Nevertheless, the Who powered through a nine-song set that . "[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. 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. [35], Unlike contemporary rock drummers such as Ginger Baker and John Bonham, Moon hated drum solos and refused to play them in concert. Keith Moon's (original drummer for The Who) last words were - Reddit "[36] On 23 June 1977, he made a guest appearance at a Led Zeppelin concert in Los Angeles. The Who's Pete Townshend Talks Attempts to Keep Keith Moon - Peoplemag And it was this version of Keith Moon that led to his untimely death on September 7 1978. Outside the cinema Keith spotted Melody Maker journalist Roy Carr and grabbed him in a bear hug. [146], In mid-1978, Moon moved into Flat 12, 9 Curzon Place (later Curzon Square), Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London, renting from Harry Nilsson. [19] In December 1962 he joined the Beachcombers, a semi-professional London cover band playing hits by groups such as the Shadows. Keith John Moon was an English drummer who played with the English rock band the Who. Sat 24th Apr 2021 15.30 BST. The Moon indeed. 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. Best Keith Moon Performances: 20 Kit-Shattering Drum Highlights - Yahoo I went into a panic.. With a focus on news, media, and humor, we are a RARE voice in todays media landscape. In addition to his talent as a drummer, Moon developed a reputation for smashing his kit on stage and destroying hotel rooms on tour. The real Keith Moon was a son, a brother, a father and an insecure man. In a 1981 Los Angeles Times interview he admitted, "A lot of times when Keith was blowing up toilets I was standing behind him with the matches. [116] Daltrey later denied threatening to fire him, but said that by this time Moon was out of control. He began to endorse Premier Drums in late 1965, and remained a loyal customer of the company. 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. Keith Moon - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Legendary Drummer Who Killed His Bodyguard - Medium [68], Moon may have inspired the name for Led Zeppelin. Moon died shortly after the release of Who Are You. [161][162], Jones left the Who in 1988,[163] and drummer Simon Phillips (who praised Moon's ability to drum over the backing track of "Baba O'Riley") toured with the band the following year. The setting for "Tommy's Holiday Camp" (from Tommy) was credited to Moon;[49] the song was primarily written by Townshend and, although there is a misconception that Moon sings on it, the album version is Townshend's demo. "'Tis well." 2. The untimely loss of Keith Moon, one of the world's most skilled drummers, still hits rock music fans hard every so often. 0 Votes. How Many Murdaugh Murder Documentaries Are There and Where Can You Watch Them? Of the thirty-two Heminevrin tablets he found in Moon's stomach, twenty-six were undissolved. (1975) before moving back to the UK in 1977 to play on Who Are You, his last recorded work with The Who. Moon was the bad boy of rock & roll, the most manic member of an aggressive and fabulously successful band, a full-throttle . [136], Moon enjoyed being the life of the party. in Bournemouth. Who manager Bill Curbishley agreed that Moon "wasn't disciplined enough to actually turn up or commit to doing the stuff. [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. Keith Moon & The Who Biopic Happening After 20 Years - Vulture [160] Keyboardist John "Rabbit" Bundrick, who had rehearsed with Moon earlier in the year,[115] joined the live band as an unofficial member. [149], After moving in, Moon began a prescribed course of Heminevrin (clomethiazole, a sedative) to alleviate his alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Edgy! 2 on the 2011 Rolling Stone "Best Drummers of All Time" readers' poll. Moon was recognised for his drumming style, which emphasised tom-toms, cymbal crashes, and drum fills. In 1972 the performance was released as a companion disc to Lennon and Ono's album Some Time in New York City. Moon initially told his girlfriend Annette Walter-Lax he didnt want to go to the party. not for children. The next evening Moon systematically destroyed everything in his hotel room, cut himself doing so and passed out. [67] A clip of the incident became the opening scene for the film The Kids Are Alright. "[182], In 1998 Tony Fletcher published a biography of Moon, Dear Boy: The Life of Keith Moon, in the United Kingdom. During much of 1964 and 1965 his setups consisted of Ludwig drums and Zildjian cymbals. He didn't do anything to talk of. Moon, in the words of Fletcher, had a "lack of control and timing," but Moon enjoyed playing. What John Lennon said about Keith Moon's tragic death 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. After an investigation, the coroner ruled Boland's death an accident; Moon, having been charged with a number of offences, received an absolute discharge. A long-gestating biopic about The Who drummer Keith Moon will begin filming this summer after 20 years. [88] "[We] went through the same stages everybody goes through the bloody drug corridor", he later reflected. "[181], Clem Burke of Blondie has said "Early on all I cared about was Keith Moon and the Who. One Last Song: The Final Photos Of 16 Musicians Who Died Too - Favrify Moon had been dead for some time, but was officially pronounced dead at 5:50pm at Middlesex Hospital. As the genius drummer for The Who, wild-man Moon is a non-. [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. Related articles John Lennon letter to Keith Moon and Harry Nilsson fetches 53,000 [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". [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. "[62], In May 1966, Moon discovered that the Beach Boys' Bruce Johnston was visiting London. The kit was eventually fitted with copper fittings[58] and later given to a young Zak Starkey. "[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. [118] Even when the group became relatively financially stable after Tommy, Moon continued to rack up debts. Moon is recording skits to play between songs while filling in for disc jockey John . Like a train ride you couldn't stop. Dear Boy : The Life of Keith Moon - amazon.com Mark Blake is a music journalist and author. 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?? 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). Close. "[98] He quickly developed a reputation for destroying bathrooms and blowing up toilets. TIL that Keith Moon, the drummer for The Who, asked his then-girlfriend, Walter-Lax, to cook him steak and eggs. According to Fletcher, Moon's toilet pyrotechnics began in 1965 when he purchased a case of 500 cherry bombs. from $36.16 2 Used from $36.16. At the hotel he ran back to his room, grabbed the television and threw it out of the window into the swimming pool below. 3. "[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. [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. 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. "[97], Moon's favourite stunt was to flush powerful explosives down toilets.