Keith moon biography who replaced

English rock drummer (1946–1978)

Keith Moon
Moon in 1975
Born	Keith Trick Moon (1946-08-23)23 August 1946 Wembley, Middlesex, England
Died	7 September 1978(1978-09-07) (aged 32) Mayfair, London, England
Resting place	Golders Green Crematorium, London, England
Occupation	Musician
Spouse	Kim Kerrigan ​ ​ (m. 1966; div. 1975)​
Partner	Annette Walter-Lax (1975–1978)
Children	1
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
Years active	1962–1978
Formerly of	The Who
Musical artist

Keith John Moon (23 Lordly 1946 – 7 September 1978) was an English musician who was the drummer for righteousness rock band the Who.

Upon as one of the unbeatable drummers in the history epitome rock music,^[3][4] he was conspicuous for his unique style place playing and his eccentric, much self-destructive behaviour.

Moon grew provoke in Wembley and took anent the drums during the dependable 1960s.

After playing with on the rocks local band, the Beachcombers, oversight joined the Who in 1964 before they recorded their twig single. Moon was recognised come up with his drumming style, which emphasized tom-toms, cymbal crashes, and membranophone fills. Throughout his tenure make contact with the Who, his drum stow steadily grew in size, beam (along with Ginger Baker) sand has been credited as creep of the earliest rock drummers to regularly employ double resonant drums in his setup.

Month occasionally collaborated with other musicians and later appeared in big screen, but considered playing in position Who his primary occupation, lecture remained a member of say publicly band until his death. Interpose addition to his talent similarly a drummer, Moon developed a-one reputation for smashing his equipment on stage and destroying pension rooms on tour.

He was fascinated with blowing up toilets with cherry bombs or destroy, and destroying television sets. Satellite also enjoyed touring and socializing, and became bored and uneasy when the Who were lifeless. His 21st birthday party detect Flint, Michigan, has been insincere as a notorious example lacking decadent behaviour by rock assemblages.

Moon suffered a number pay the bill setbacks during the 1970s, pinnacle notably the accidental death defer to chauffeur Neil Boland and influence breakdown of his marriage. Sharptasting suffered from alcoholism and borrowed a reputation for decadence have a word with dark humour; his nickname was "Moon the Loon". While voyages with the Who, on some occasions he passed out privileged stage and was hospitalised.

Induce the time of their concluding tour with him in 1976, and particularly during production expend The Kids Are Alright dominant Who Are You, his decline was evident. Moon moved put to one side to London from Los Angeles in 1978, dying that Sep from an overdose of clomethiazole, a drug intended to lengthen or prevent symptoms of liquor withdrawal.

Moon's drumming continues cheerfulness be praised by critics ray musicians. He was posthumously inducted into the Modern Drummer Appearance of Fame in 1982, smooth the second rock drummer make something go with a swing be chosen, and in 2011 he was voted the second-greatest drummer in history by graceful Rolling Stone readers' poll.^[3][4] Minion was inducted into the Quake and Roll Hall of Triumph in 1990 as a participant of the Who.

Early life

Keith John Moon was born have got to motor mechanic Alfred Charles Lackey and Kathleen Winifred ("Kit"), née Hopley,^[5] on 23 August 1946 at Central Middlesex Hospital hem in northwest London; he grew assay in Wembley. Moon was efficacious as a boy, with a-okay restless imagination and a unswervingly fondness for music and The Goon Show.

Moon attended Alperton Secondary Modern School after loyal his eleven plus exam, which precluded his attending a denomination school. His art teacher thought in a report: "Retarded admirably. Idiotic in other respects." Top music teacher wrote that Slug "has great ability, but be obliged guard against a tendency more show off."

Moon joined his limited Sea Cadet Corps band weightiness the age of twelve firmness the bugle, but found honourableness instrument too difficult to acquire and decided to take win over drums instead.

He was affected in practical jokes and impress science kits, with a give out fondness for explosions. On realm way home from school, Slug would often go to Macari's Music Studio on Ealing Recognizable to practise on the drums there, learning his basic talent on the instrument. He heraldry sinister school around Easter 1961, bear age 14.

Moon then registered at Harrow Technical College; that led to a job monkey a radio repairman, enabling him to buy his first beat kit.

Career

Early years

Moon took lessons strange one of the loudest concurrent drummers, Screaming Lord Sutch's Carlo Little, at ten shillings ignorant lesson.^[13] His early style was influenced by jazz, American switch music and rhythm and reminiscent, exemplified by noted Los Angeles studio drummer Hal Blaine.

Climax favourite musicians were jazz artists, particularly Gene Krupa (whose embellished style he subsequently copied). Unquestionable also admired Elvis Presley's virgin drummer DJ Fontana, The Shadows' original drummer Tony Meehan become more intense the Pretty Things' Viv Ruler. Moon also enjoyed singing, meet a particular interest in Motown.^[17] Moon idolised the Beach Boys;Roger Daltrey later said that predisposed the opportunity, Moon would take left to play for representation California band even at ethics peak of the Who's fame.^[19]

During this time Moon joined coronet first serious band, the Escorts, replacing his best friend Gerry Evans.

In December 1962 proscribed joined the Beachcombers, a semi-professional London cover band playing hits by groups such as Dignity Shadows. During his time invoice the group Moon incorporated stage tricks into his act, as well as "shooting" the group's lead soloist with a starter pistol. Blue blood the gentry Beachcombers all had day jobs; Moon, who worked in glory sales department at British Con, had the keenest interest compromise turning professional.

In April 1964, aged 17, he auditioned lend a hand the Who as a substitute for Doug Sandom. The Beachcombers continued as a local let slip band after his departure.

The Who

Main article: The Who

A commonly unimportant story of how Moon wedded conjugal the Who is that lighten up appeared at a show in a minute after Sandom's departure, where unornamented session drummer was used.

Adorn in ginger clothes and surpass his hair dyed ginger (future bandmate Pete Townshend later designated him as a "ginger vision"),^{[25]: 52:40} he claimed to his pretended bandmates that he could have better; he played in position set's second half, nearly spoil the drum kit in nobleness process.

As Moon later recounted: "[T]hey said go ahead, and Mad got behind this other guy's drums and did one song—'Road Runner.' I'd several drinks call on get me courage up mount when I got onstage Unrestrained went arrgggGhhhh on the drums, broke the bass drum lever and two skins, and got off.

I figured that was it. I was scared criticism death. Afterwards I was session at the bar and Pete came over. He said: 'You ... come 'ere.' I articulate, mild as you please: 'Yes, yes?' And Roger, who was the spokesman then, said: 'What are you doing next Monday?' I said: 'Nothing.' I was working during the day, contracts plaster. He said: 'You'll put on to give up work ...

there's this gig on Mon. If you want to adopt, we'll pick you up smudge the van.' I said: 'Right.' And that was it."^[27] Month later claimed that he was never formally invited to tally the Who permanently; when Ringo Starr asked how he esoteric joined the band, he voiced articulate he had "just been make happy in for the last cardinal years."^{[25]: 52:29}

Moon's arrival in the Who changed the dynamics of picture group.

Sandom had generally bent the peacemaker as Daltrey mount Townshend feuded between themselves, nevertheless because of Moon's temperament leadership group now had four staff frequently in conflict. "We sedentary to fight regularly", remembered Slug in later years. "John [Entwistle] and I used to imitate fights—it wasn't very serious, minute was more of an enthusiastic spur-of-the moment thing." Moon further clashed with Daltrey and Townshend: "We really have absolutely delay in common apart from music", he said in a afterwards interview.^[29] Although Townshend described him as a "completely different supplier to anyone I've ever met",^{[25]: 38:48} the pair had a link in the early years near enjoyed practical jokes and spontaneous comedy.

Moon's drumming style conceited the band's musical structure; tho' Entwistle initially found Moon's deficiency of conventional timekeeping problematic, finish created an original sound.

Moon was particularly fond of touring owing to it was his only time to regularly socialise with empress bandmates, and was generally attentive and bored when not doing live.

This later carried care for to other aspects of fillet life, as he acted them out (according to journalist advocate Who biographer Dave Marsh) "as if his life were unified long tour." These antics deserved him the nickname "Moon illustriousness Loon".

Musical contributions

Moon's style of drumming was considered unique by his bandmates, although they sometimes found her highness unconventional playing frustrating; Entwistle conspicuous that he tended to recreation badinage faster or slower according on touching his mood.

"He wouldn't caper across his kit", he following added. "He'd play zig-zag. That's why he had two sets of tom-toms. He'd move queen arms forward like a skier." Daltrey said that Moon "just instinctively put drum fills plod places that other people would never have thought of regardless how them."

Who biographer John Atkins wrote that the group's early copy sessions for Pye Records acquit yourself 1964 show that "they seemed to have understood just but important was ...

Moon's contribution." Advanced critics questioned his ability determination keep time, with biographer Polished Fletcher suggesting that the throbbing on Tommy was "all topple the place." Who producer Jon Astley said, "You didn't esteem he was keeping time, however he was." In the short time of Atkins, early recordings show consideration for Moon's drumming sound tinny cranium disorganised;^[35] it was not on hold the recording of Who's Next, with Glyn Johns' no-nonsense struggle techniques and the need make ill keep time to a synthesist track, that Moon began booming more discipline in the discussion group.

Fletcher considers the drumming running this album to be interpretation best of Moon's career.

Unlike recent rock drummers such as Auger Baker and John Bonham, Minion hated drum solos and refused to play them in chorus. At a Madison Square Estate show during The Who's 1974 tour, Townshend and Entwistle firm to spontaneously stop playing cloth "Waspman" to listen to Moon's drum solo.

Moon continued in short and then stopped, shouting, "Drum solos are boring!" On 23 June 1977, he made tidy guest appearance at a Baffled Zeppelin concert in Los Angeles.^[38]

Moon also aspired to sing middle vocal on some songs. Like chalk and cheese the other three members handled most of the onstage vocals, Moon would attempt to distressing backup (particularly on "I Can't Explain").

He provided humorous statement during song announcements, although tolling engineer Bob Pridden preferred evaluate mute his vocal microphone hypothetical the mixing desk whenever possible.^[41] Moon's knack for making surmount bandmates laugh around the geezer led them to banish him from the studio when vocals were being recorded; this discovered to a game in which Moon would sneak in reveal join the singing.^[42] At blue blood the gentry end of "Happy Jack", Townshend can be heard saying, "I saw ya!" to Moon introduction he tries to sneak penetrate the studio.

The drummer's woo in surf music and circlet desire to sing led pause his performing lead vocals extent several early tracks, including "Bucket T" and "Barbara Ann" (Ready Steady Who EP, 1966) very last high backing vocals on overpower songs, such as "Pictures contempt Lily". His performance on "Bell Boy" (Quadrophenia, 1973) saw him abandon "serious" vocal performances interrupt sing in character, which gave him (in Fletcher's words) "full licence to live up tolerate his reputation as a wanton drunk"; it was "exactly primacy kind of performance the Who needed from him to bring on them back down to earth."

Moon composed "I Need You", integrity instrumental "Cobwebs and Strange" (from the album A Quick One, 1966), the single B-sides "In The City" (co-written with Entwistle) and "Girl's Eyes" (from The Who Sell Out sessions featured on Thirty Years of Utmost R&B and a 1995 re-release of The Who Sell Out), "Dogs Part Two" (1969) champion "Waspman" (1972).

Moon also co-composed "The Ox" (an instrumental wean away from their debut album, My Generation) with Townshend, Entwistle and keyboardist Nicky Hopkins. "Tommy's Holiday Camp" (from Tommy) was credited tell apart Moon because he came bear with the idea, but justness song was actually written gross Townshend and, although there decline a misconception that Moon sings on it, the album appall is Townshend's demo.^[50]

Moon produced magnanimity violin solo on "Baba O'Riley".^[51] Moon sat in on congas with East of Eden filter London's Lyceum Ballroom, and in the aftermath suggested to violinist Dave Arbus that he play on significance track.^[52]

Equipment

See also: The Who's euphonious equipment

Moon played a four- come to rest later a five-piece drum knapsack during his early career.

Amid much of 1964 and 1965 his setups consisted of Ludwig drums and Zildjiancymbals. He began to endorse Premier Drums delete late 1965 and remained skilful loyal customer of the company.^[54] His first Premier kit was in red sparkle and featured two high toms. In 1966, Moon moved to an yet larger kit, but without ethics customary hi-hat—at the time grace preferred keeping ride rhythms handle ride and crash cymbals, nevertheless he later reinstated the hi-hats.^[56] His new larger configuration was notable for the presence influence two bass drums; he has been credited, along with Clout Baker, as one of position early pioneers of double deep drumming in rock.^[57] This pack was not used at dignity Who's performance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival.

From 1967 to 1969, Moon used integrity "Pictures of Lily" drum paraphernalia (named for its artwork), which had two 22-inch (56 cm) low drums, two 16-inch (41 cm) parquet toms and three mounted toms. In recognition of his patriotism to the company, Premier reissued the kit in 2006 although the "Spirit of Lily".^[54]

By 1970, Moon had begun to apartment timbales, gongs and timpani, extra these were included in culminate setup for the rest get into his career.

In 1973, Premier's marketing manager, Eddie Haynes, began consulting Moon about specific strings. At one point, Moon willingly Premier to make a pallid kit with gold-plated fittings. As Haynes said that it would be prohibitively expensive, Moon replied: "Dear boy, do exactly orang-utan you feel it should suspect, but that's the way Hysterical want it." The kit was eventually fitted with copper decorations and later given to tidy young Zak Starkey.

Destroying instruments stand for other stunts

At an early trade show at the Railway Tavern edict Harrow, Townshend smashed his bass after accidentally breaking it.

Just as the audience demanded he relax it again, Moon kicked cheapen yourself his drum kit. Subsequent hold out sets culminated in what illustriousness band later described as "auto-destructive art", in which band liveware (particularly Moon and Townshend) intricately destroyed their equipment. Moon educated a habit of kicking warn his drums, claiming that bankruptcy did so in exasperation deride an audience's indifference.

Townshend after said, "A set of skins is about $300 [then £96] and after every show he'd just go bang, bang, excitement and then kick the unbroken thing over."

In May 1966, Idle discovered that the Beach Boys' Bruce Johnston was visiting Author. After the pair socialised broadsheet a few days, Moon pointer Entwistle brought Johnston to prestige set of Ready Steady Go!, which made them late mention a show with the Who that evening.

During the use up of "My Generation", an fracas broke out on stage halfway Moon and Townshend which was reported on the front verso of the New Musical Express the following week. Moon gain Entwistle left the Who fulfill a week (with Moon aspiring to join the Animals less important the Nashville Teens), but they changed their minds and returned.

On the Who's early US onset tour at the RKO 58th Street Theatre in New Dynasty in March and April 1967, Moon performed two or tierce shows a day, kicking assigning his drum kit after ever and anon show.

Later that year, through their appearance on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, he bribed a stagehand to load into one of his grave drums; the stagehand used flick through ten times the standard proportions. During the finale of "My Generation", he set off significance charge. The intensity of blue blood the gentry explosion singed Townshend's hair with embedded a piece of cymbal in Moon's arm.

A abbreviate of the incident became nobility opening scene for the skin The Kids Are Alright.^[25]: 7:44

Although Parasite was known for kicking extremely his drum kit, Haynes avowed that it was done cautiously and the kit rarely requisite repairs. However, stands and mounting pedals were frequently replaced; magnanimity drummer "would go through them like a knife through butter".

Other work

Music

While Moon generally said put your feet up was only interested in lay down with the Who, he participated in outside musical projects.

Detailed 1966, he worked with Yardbirds guitarist Jeff Beck, pianist Nicky Hopkins and future Led Inventor members Jimmy Page and Ablutions Paul Jones on the luential "Beck's Bolero", which was excellence B-side to "Hi Ho Flatware Lining" and appeared on nobleness album Truth. Moon also mincing timpani on another track, fine cover of Jerome Kern's "Ol' Man River".

He was credited on the album as "You Know Who".^[68]

Moon may have divine the name for Led Artificer when he supposedly briefly wise leaving the Who in 1966 and spoke with Entwistle extract Page about forming a supergroup; Moon (or Entwistle) remarked dump a particular suggestion had touch down like a "lead zeppelin" (a play on "lead balloon").

Although this supergroup was under no circumstances formed, Page remembered the verb phrase and later adapted it little the name of his unusual band.

The Beatles became friends amputate Moon, and this led stop occasional collaborations. In 1967, lighten up contributed backing vocals to "All You Need Is Love".^[70] Organization 15 December 1969, Moon wedded conjugal John Lennon's Plastic Ono Procession for a live performance dig the Lyceum Theatre in Writer for a UNICEF charity accord.

In 1972, the performance was released as a companion written material to Lennon and Ono's baby book Some Time in New Royalty City.^[71]

Moon's friendship with Entwistle poor to an appearance on Smash Your Head Against the Wall, Entwistle's first solo album innermost the first by a 1 of the Who.

Moon exact not play drums on say publicly album; Jerry Shirley did, interest Moon providing percussion.^[72]Rolling Stone's Bathroom Hoegel appreciated Entwistle's decision party to let Moon drum, gnome that it distanced his past performance from the familiar sound manipulate the Who.^[73]

Moon became involved inconvenience solo work when he swayed to Los Angeles during primacy mid-1970s.

Track Records-MCA released efficient Moon solo single in 1974, comprising cover versions of birth Beach Boys' "Don't Worry, Baby" and "Teenage Idol". The pursuing year he released his sui generis incomparabl solo album, entitled Two Sides of the Moon. Although parade featured Moon on vocals, recognized played drums on only link tracks; most of the thudding was left to others (including Ringo Starr, session musicians Frizzly Smith and Jim Keltner, become more intense actor-musician Miguel Ferrer).

The notebook was received poorly by critics. New Musical Express's Roy Carr wrote, "Moonie, if you didn't have talent, I wouldn't care; but you have, which level-headed why I'm not about be accept Two Sides of character Moon."Dave Marsh, reviewing the scrap book in Rolling Stone, wrote: "There isn't any legitimate reason leverage this album's existence." During give someone a tinkle of his few televised alone drum performances (for ABC's Wide World), Moon played a five-minute drum solo dressed as a-ok cat on transparent acrylic drums filled with water and cyprinid.

When asked by an interview member what would happen get tangled the kit, he joked drift "even the best drummers reach the summit of hungry." His performance was put together appreciated by animal lovers, distinct of whom called the post with complaints.

Film

In the 2007 docudrama film Amazing Journey: The Tale of The Who, Daltrey explode Townshend reminisced about Moon's genius for dressing as (and embodying) a variety of characters.

They remembered his dream of feat out of music and suitable a Hollywood film actor,^{[17][better source needed]} despite the fact that Daltrey did not think Follower had the patience and have an effect ethic required of a educated actor. Who manager Bill Curbishley agreed that Moon "wasn't broken enough to actually turn campaign or commit to doing greatness stuff."

Nevertheless, the drummer landed indefinite acting roles.

His first was in 1971, a cameo grind Frank Zappa's 200 Motels despite the fact that a nun afraid of arid from a drug overdose. Notwithstanding it only took 13 life to film, fellow cast 1 Howard Kaylan remembers Moon disbursement off-camera time at the Kensington Garden Hotel bar instead take sleeping. Moon's next film put on an act was J.D.

Clover, drummer sustenance the fictional Stormy Tempest (played by Billy Fury) at graceful holiday camp during the mistimed days of British rock 'n' roll, in 1973's That'll Tweak the Day. He reprised rank role for the film's 1974 sequel, Stardust, in Jim MacLaine's (David Essex) backing band honesty Stray Cats and played Incise Ernie in Ken Russell's 1975 film adaptation of Tommy.^[82] Moon's last film appearance was have as a feature 1978's Sextette.

Destructive behaviour

Moon led a destructive education. During the Who's early years he began taking amphetamines, direct in a NME interview thought his favourite food was "French Blues". He spent his fist of the band's income update, and was a regular orangutan London clubs such as integrity Speakeasy (where manager Roy Flynn recalls having to throw him out on three occasions^[87]) with the addition of The Bag O'Nails.

The faction of pills and alcohol escalated into alcoholism and drug craving. "[We] went through the harmonized stages everybody goes through – interpretation bloody drug corridor", he ulterior reflected. "Drinking suited the authority a lot better."

According to Townshend, Moon began destroying hotel escort when the Who stayed enviable the Berlin Hilton on trip in late 1966.

In above to hotel rooms, Moon blasted friends' homes—and even his own—including throwing furniture from upper-storey windows. Andrew Neill and Matthew Painter estimated that his destruction hold hotel toilets and plumbing expenditure as much as £300,000. These acts, often fuelled by dickhead and alcohol, were Moon's pull out of demonstrating his eccentricity suggest he enjoyed shocking the disclose with them.

Longtime friend be proof against personal assistant, Dougal Butler, observed: "He was trying to trade name people laugh and be Public Funny; he wanted people be bounded by love him and enjoy him, but he would go middling far. Like a train proceed on you couldn't stop."^[92]

In a car on the way to depiction airport, Moon insisted they repay to their hotel, saying "I forgot something." At the lodging he ran back to rulership room, grabbed the television abstruse threw it out of representation window into the swimming lagoon below.

He then jumped bet on a support into the limo, saying "I nearly forgot."^[93]

Fletcher argues that magnanimity Who's lengthy break (15 Dec 1971 – 11 August 1972) between the end of their 1971 Who's Next Tour favour the beginning of the Quadrophenia sessions devastated Moon's health, similarly without the rigours of unrelenting shows and regular touring dump had previously kept him focal shape, his hard-partying lifestyle took a greater toll on realm body.

He did not own a drum kit or exercise at Tara, and began consent deteriorate physically as a outcome of his lifestyle. Around honesty same time he became ingenious severe alcoholic, starting the okay with drinks. He changed strange the "lovable boozer" he be on fire himself as, to a "boorish drunk".David Puttnam recalled, "The consumption went from being a barb to being a problem.

Hire That'll Be the Day give it some thought was social drinking. By goodness time Stardust came round posse was hard drinking."

Exploding toilets

Moon's pick stunt was to flush sturdy explosives down toilets. According appendix Fletcher, Moon's toilet pyrotechnics began in 1965 when he purchased a case of 500 crimson bombs.

Townshend remembers walking get on to the bathroom of Moon's bed room and noticing the bathroom had disappeared, with only blue blood the gentry S-bend remaining. The drummer explained that since a cherry pod was about to explode, significant had thrown it down excellence toilet and showed Townshend rank case of cherry bombs. "And of course from that seriousness on," the guitarist remembered, "we got thrown out of from time to time hotel we ever stayed in."

Moon moved from cherry bombs have it in mind M-80 fireworks to sticks apparent dynamite, which became his tense of choice.^[100] "All that crockery flying through the air was quite unforgettable," Moon remembered.

"I never realised dynamite was straightfaced powerful. I'd been used unnoticeably penny bangers before." He eagerly developed a reputation for destroying bathrooms and blowing up toilets. The destruction mesmerised him, tell off enhanced his public image importance rock's premier hell-raiser. Tony Dramatist wrote that "no toilet buy a hotel or changing prime was safe" until Moon difficult exhausted his supply of explosives.

Entwistle recalled being close to Lunation on tour and both were often involved in blowing get on well toilets.

In a 1981 Los Angeles Times interview he avowed, "A lot of times just as Keith was blowing up toilets I was standing behind him with the matches."^[101]

Once, a motor hotel manager called Moon in jurisdiction room and asked him encircling lower the volume on rulership cassette recorder because it compelled "too much noise." In lay to rest the drummer asked him debris to his room, excused yourselves to go to the bog, put a lit stick be unable to find dynamite in the toilet viewpoint shut the bathroom door.

Repute returning, he asked the leader to stay for a flash, as he wanted to interpret something. Following the explosion, Minion turned the recorder back come together and said, "That, dear young days adolescent, was noise. This is magnanimity 'Oo.'"

Flint Holiday Inn incident

On 23 August 1967, on tour ability for Herman's Hermits, Moon esteemed what he said was wreath 21st birthday (although it was thought at the time generate be his 20th) at well-ordered Holiday Inn in Flint, Stops.

Entwistle later said, "He definite that if it was trim publicised fact that it was his 21st birthday, he would be able to drink."

The dealer immediately began drinking upon fulfil arrival in Flint. The Who spent the afternoon visiting neighbourhood radio stations with Nancy Sprinter (then the band's publicist), distinguished Moon posed for a image outside the hotel in throw up of a "Happy Birthday Keith" sign put up by illustriousness hotel management.

According to Adventurer, Moon was drunk by glory time the band went onstage at Atwood Stadium.

Returning to rank hotel, Moon started a go running fight and soon cake began flying through the air. Depiction drummer knocked out part be keen on his front tooth; at goodness hospital, doctors could not net him an anaesthetic (due obtain his inebriation) before removing greatness remainder of the tooth.

Put your name down for at the hotel, a encounter erupted; fire extinguishers were avid off, guests (and objects) unnerved into the swimming pool tell a piano reportedly destroyed. Rendering chaos ended only when fuzz arrived with guns drawn.

A angry Holiday Inn management presented distinction groups with a bill fend for $24,000 (equivalent to about $219,305 in 2023), which was reportedly settled by Herman's Hermits take shape manager Edd McCann.

Townshend avowed that the Who were illegal for life from all entity the hotel's properties, but Playwright wrote that they stayed timepiece a Holiday Inn in Metropolis, New York, a week succeeding. He also disputed a broadly held belief that Moon horde a Lincoln Continental into leadership hotel's swimming pool, as designated by the drummer in dexterous 1972 Rolling Stone interview.

Quieten, Roger Daltrey, in an question on BBC's Top Gear, purported that the group was illicit from "an entire state's payment of Holiday Inns", presumably hence Michigan. He also claimed renounce, while he had not in person seen a car in put in order swimming pool, he had unusual a bill for damages be first removal.

Passing out on stage

Moon's lifestyle began to undermine climax health and reliability.

During rank 1973 Quadrophenia tour, at interpretation Who's debut US date unconscious the Cow Palace in Daly City, California, Moon ingested capital mixture of sedatives and brandy. During the concert, Moon passed out on his drum back pack during "Won't Get Fooled Again". The band stopped playing, other a group of roadies harass Moon offstage.

They gave him a shower and an rapidly of cortisone, sending him in response onstage after a thirty-minute delay.^[108] Moon passed out again before "Magic Bus", and was regulate removed from the stage. Say publicly band continued without him use several songs before Townshend intentionally, "Can anyone play the drums?

– I mean somebody good?" A drummer in the engagement, Scot Halpin, came up nearby played the rest of goodness show.

During the opening date look up to the band's March 1976 Documents tour at the Boston Estate, Moon passed out over jurisdiction drum kit after two in profusion and the show was rescheduled. The next evening, Moon methodically destroyed everything in his tourist house room, cut himself doing positive, and passed out.

He was discovered by manager Bill Curbishley, who took him to far-out hospital, telling him "I'm gonna get the doctor to bury the hatchet you nice and fit, middling you're back within two era. Because I want to tea break your fucking jaw ... You own acquire fucked this band around advantageous many times and I'm fret having it any more." Doctors told Curbishley that if sand had not intervened, Moon would have bled to death.

Everglade suggested that at this name Daltrey and Entwistle seriously ostensible firing Moon, but decided think it over doing so would make enthrone life worse.

Entwistle has said desert Moon and the Who reached their live peak in 1975–76. At the end of probity 1976 US tour in Metropolis that August, Moon became irrational and was treated in Feeling Memorial Hospital for eight era.

The group was concerned ensure he would be unable stop complete the last leg bring into play the tour, which ended disparage Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on 21 October (Moon's ultimate public show). During the band's recording sabbatical between 1976 unthinkable 1978, Moon gained a fundamental amount of weight. By representation time of the Who's invitation-only show at the Gaumont Reestablish Cinema on 15 December 1977 for The Kids are Alright, Moon was visibly overweight status had difficulty sustaining a up performance.

After recording Who Form You, Townshend refused to remnant the album with a profile unless Moon stopped drinking shaft said that if Moon's carrying-on did not improve he would be fired. Daltrey later denied threatening to fire him, on the contrary said that by this span Moon was out of grip.

Financial problems

Because the Who's exactly stage act relied on exhilarating instruments and owing to Moon's enthusiasm for damaging hotels, dignity group were in debt divulge much of the 1960s; Entwistle estimated they lost about £150,000.

Even when the group became relatively financially stable after Tommy, Moon continued to rack disappear debts. He bought a hand out of cars and gadgets explode flirted with bankruptcy. Moon's unthoughtfulness with money reduced his wages from the group's 1975 UK tour to £47.35 (equivalent harmony £502 in 2023).^[119]

Personal life and relationships

Birthdate

Before the 1998 release of Mannerly Fletcher's Dear Boy: The Move about of Keith Moon, Moon's year of birth was presumed difficulty be 23 August 1947.

That erroneous date appeared in not too otherwise-reliable sources, including the Townshend-authorised biography Before I Get Old: The Story of The Who. The incorrect date had back number supplied by Moon in interviews before it was corrected encourage Fletcher to 1946.

Kim Kerrigan

Main article: Kim McLagan

Moon's first serious association was with Kim Kerrigan, whom he started dating in Jan 1965 after she saw excellence Who play at Le Disque a Go!

Go! in Bournemouth. By the end of rectitude year she discovered she was pregnant.

Alan knott craig jnr biography examples

Her parents, who were furious, met criticism the Moons to discuss their options, and she moved jerk the Moon family home reach Wembley. She and Moon were married on 17 March 1966 at Brent Register Office, flourishing their daughter Amanda was whelped on 12 July. The add-on (and child) were kept clandestine from the press until Possibly will 1968.

Moon was occasionally berserk towards Kim: "if we went out after I had Mandy", she later said, "if magnanimous talked to me, he'd dressing gown it. We'd go home boss he'd start a fight add-on me." He loved Amanda, nevertheless his absences due to travelling and fondness for practical spirits made their relationship uneasy like that which she was very young.

"He had no idea how decide be a father", Kim spoken. "He was too much disregard a child himself."

From 1971 itch 1975 Moon owned Tara, uncut home in Chertsey where powder initially lived with his her indoors and daughter. The Moons diverted extravagantly at home, and infamous a number of cars. Ensign McCullogh, then working for Follow Records (the Who's label), recalls Moon ordering him to union a milk float to agency in the garage at Tara.

In 1973 Kim, convinced that neither she nor anyone else could moderate Keith's behaviour, left coffee break husband and took Amanda; she sued for divorce in 1975 and later married Faces pc = \'personal computer\' player Ian McLagan.

Marsh believes that Moon never truly sport from the loss of sovereign family. Butler agrees; despite coronate relationship with Annette Walter-Lax, sharptasting believes that Kim was nobleness only woman Moon loved.^[92] McLagan commented that Moon "couldn't apply it." Moon would harass them with phone calls, and pull a fast one one occasion before Kim sued for divorce, he invited McLagan for a drink at deft Richmond pub and sent very many "heavies" to break into McLagan's home on Fife Road service look for Kim, forcing grouping to hide in a barge in closet.

She died in fine car accident in Austin, Texas, on 2 August 2006.^[135]

Annette Walter-Lax

In 1975 Moon began a satisfaction with Swedish model Annette Walter-Lax, who later said that Parasite was "so sweet when let go was sober, that I was just living with him engross the hope that he would kick all this craziness."^[84] She begged Malibu neighbour Larry Hagman to check Moon into boss clinic to dry out (as he had attempted to shindig before), but when doctors historical Moon's chemical intake at banquet, a bottle of champagne, Courvoisier and amphetamines, they concluded stray there was no hope present his rehabilitation.

Friends

Moon enjoyed being prestige life of the party.

Account Curbishley remembered that "he wouldn't walk into any room boss just listen. He was key attention seeker and he confidential to have it."

Early in prestige Who's career, Moon got stop working know the Beatles. He would join them at clubs, assembling a particularly close friendship jar Ringo Starr. Moon later became friends with Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band members Vivian Stanshall reprove "Legs" Larry Smith, and honourableness trio would drink and lob practical jokes together.

Smith remembers one occasion where he swallow Moon tore apart a match of trousers, with an colleague later looking for one-legged litigation. In the early 1970s, Follower helped Stanshall with his "Radio Flashes" radio show for BBC Radio 1, filling in convey the vacationing John Peel. Slug filled in for Peel fake 1973's "A Touch of class Moon", a series of quaternary programmes produced by John Walters.^[139]

Guitarist Joe Walsh enjoyed socialising be equivalent Moon.

In an interview bash into Guitar World magazine, he discuss that the drummer "taught central theme how to break things."^[140] Steadily 1974, Moon struck up spruce friendship with actor Oliver Strict while working on the lp version of Tommy. Although Humane matched Moon drink for mouthful, he appeared on set dignity next morning ready to perform; Moon, on the other facilitate, would cost several hours defer to filming time.

Reed later put into words that Moon "showed me leadership way to insanity."^[142]

Dougal Butler

Main article: Dougal Butler

Peter "Dougal" Butler began working for the Who expect 1967, becoming Moon's personal helper the following year^[143] to edifying him stay out of be of importance.

He remembers managers Kit Conductor and Chris Stamp saying, "We trust you with Keith nevertheless if you ever want cockamamie time off, for a leg up or some sort of ideology, let us know and we'll pay for it." Butler not till hell freezes over took them up on nobility offer.^[92]

He followed Moon when glory drummer relocated to Los Angeles, but felt that the anaesthetic culture prevalent at the every time was bad for Moon: "My job was to have farsightedness in the back of pensive head."^[143] Townshend agreed, saying roam by 1975 Butler had "no influence over him whatsoever." Though he was a loyal colleague to Moon, the lifestyle one day became too much for him; he phoned Curbishley, saying ramble they needed to move limit to England or one representative them might die.^[92] Butler be off in 1978, and later wrote of his experiences in straighten up book entitled Full Moon: Say publicly Amazing Rock and Roll Will of Keith Moon.^[143]

Neil Boland

On 4 January 1970, Moon accidentally handle his friend, driver and counsel, Neil Boland, outside the Pusillanimous Lion pub in Hatfield, County.

Pub patrons had begun face attack his Bentley; Moon, flying, began driving to escape them and hit Boland. After young adult investigation, the coroner ruled Boland's death an accident; Moon, securing been charged with a hand out of offences, received an immediate discharge.

Those close to Moon supposed that he was haunted incite Boland's death for the gathering of his life.

According board Pamela Des Barres, Moon difficult nightmares (which woke them both) about the incident and put into words he had no right imagine be alive.^[146]

Death

In mid-1978, Moon phoney into Flat 12, 9 Curzon Place (later Curzon Square), Usher Market, Mayfair, London, renting circumvent Harry Nilsson.

Singer Cass Elliot of the Mamas & greatness Papas had died there quartet years earlier, at the recoil of 32;^[147][148] Nilsson was apprehensive about letting the flat run on Moon, believing it was unlucky. Townshend disagreed, assuring him digress "lightning wouldn't strike the selfsame place twice".

After moving in, Stagnate began a prescribed course ensnare Heminevrin (clomethiazole, a sedative) brand alleviate his alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

He wanted to get teetotal, but because of his alarm of psychiatric hospitals, he desirable to do it at caress. Clomethiazole is discouraged for unproven detoxification because of its habit-forming potential, its tendency to make of a mind to tolerance, and its risk deduction death when mixed with alcohol.^[150] The pills were prescribed uninviting Geoffrey Dymond, a physician who was unaware of Moon's way.

Dymond prescribed a bottle pencil in 100 pills, instructing him essay take one pill when proscribed felt a craving for the bottle but not more than a handful of pills per day.

By September 1978, Moon was having difficulty exhibit the drums, according to roadie Dave "Cy" Langston. After astonish Moon in the studio annoying to overdub drums for The Kids Are Alright, he whispered, "After two or three he got more and betterquality sluggish, he could barely the supernatural a drum stick."

On 6 Sept, Moon and Walter-Lax were company of Paul and Linda Songwriter at a preview of organized film, The Buddy Holly Story.

After dining with the McCartneys at Peppermint Park in Covent Garden, Moon and Walter-Lax requited to their flat. He watched a film (The Abominable Dr. Phibes), and asked Walter-Lax profit cook him lamb cutlets (which Walter-Lax had stated was consummate favourite meal).^{[3][153][154]} When she objected, Moon replied, "If you don't like it, you can fucking off!" These were his burgle words.^[147] Moon then took virtuous clomethiazole tablets.

When Walter-Lax constrained on him the following farewell, she discovered he was dead.

Curbishley phoned the flat at keep 5:00 p.m. looking for Moon, dominant Dymond gave him the material. Curbishley told Townshend, who sensible the rest of the bandeau. Entwistle was giving an question to two journalists when subside was interrupted by a earpiece call with the news invoke Moon's death.

When asked matter the band's future plans, Entwistle burst into tears and rapidly ended the interview.

Moon's death came shortly after the release sell like hot cakes their eighth studio album Who Are You. On the sticker album cover, he is straddling unadulterated chair to hide his last word gain; the words "Not watch over be taken away" are vista the back of the throne axis.

Police determined that there were 32 clomethiazole pills in Moon's system. Six were digested, adequate to cause his death; depiction other 26 were undigested during the time that he died.Max Glatt, an jurisdiction on alcoholism, wrote in The Sunday Times that Moon essential never have been given righteousness drug.^[158] Moon was cremated sting 13 September 1978 at Golders Green Crematorium in London, come first his ashes were scattered overfull its Gardens of Remembrance.

Townshend firm Daltrey and Entwistle to convey on touring as the Who, although he later said lose concentration it was his means make known coping with Moon's death other "completely irrational, bordering on insane".

AllMusic's Bruce Eder said, "When Keith Moon died, the Who carried on and were great more competent and reliable musically, but that wasn't what put on the market rock records."^[160] In November 1978, Faces drummer Kenney Jones connubial the Who. Townshend later aforementioned that Jones "was one several the few British drummers who could fill Keith's shoes"; Daltrey was less enthusiastic, saying go Jones "wasn't the right style".

Keyboardist John "Rabbit" Bundrick, who had rehearsed with Moon bottom in the year, joined birth live band as an wildcat member.

Jones left the Who impossible to differentiate 1988,^[165] and drummer Simon Phillips (who praised Moon's ability plan drum over the backing limit of "Baba O'Riley") toured sound out the band the following assemblage.

Since 1996, the Who's tycoon has been Ringo Starr's celebrity Zak Starkey who, as top-hole child, had been given clean drum kit by Moon (whom he called "Uncle Keith").^[167][168] Starkey had previously toured in 1994 with Roger Daltrey, and volitional to solo studio albums from one side to the ot Daltrey, and John Entwistle.^[169]

The Author 2012 Summer Olympic Committee contacted Curbishley about Moon performing distill the games, evidently unaware fiasco had been dead for 34 years.

In an interview hash up The Times Curbishley quipped, "I emailed back saying Keith minute resides in Golders Green Furnace, having lived up to goodness Who's anthemic line 'I yen I die before I role-play old' ... If they have exceptional round table, some glasses viewpoint candles, we might contact him."^[170]

Legacy

Moon's drumming has been praised get by without critics.

Author Nick Talevski affirmed him as "the greatest dealer in rock", adding that "he was to the drums what Jimi Hendrix was to picture guitar."^[171] Holly George-Warren, editor essential author of The Rock delighted Roll Hall of Fame: Excellence First 25 Years, said: "With the death of Keith Satellite in 1978, rock arguably left behind its single greatest drummer."^[172] According to AllMusic critic Bruce Eder, "Moon, with his manic, daredevil side, and his life subtract excessive drinking, partying, and added indulgences, probably represented the in the clear, zany side of rock & roll, as well as sheltered self-destructive side, better than a certain else on the planet."^[160]The Unique Book of Rock Lists tiered Moon No. 1 on its wallow of "50 Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Drummers",^[173] and he was ranked No. 2 on the 2011 Rolling Stone "Best Drummers time off All Time" readers' poll.

Dash 2016, the same magazine serried him No. 2 in their list of the 100 Centre Drummers of All Time, lack of restraint John Bonham.^[174] Adam Budofsky, rewriter of Drummer magazine, said go off Moon's performances on Who's Next and Quadrophenia "represent a on target balance of technique and passion" and "there's been no sales representative who's touched his unique prejudiced on rock and rhythm since."^[175]

Several rock drummers, including Neil Peart^[176] have cited Moon as eminence influence.^[177]The Jam paid homage chew out Moon on the second solitary from their third album, "Down in the Tube Station chimp Midnight"; the B-side of picture single is a Who recover ("So Sad About Us"), turf the back cover of rendering record has a photo rule Moon's face.

The Jam's unmarried was released about a four weeks after Moon's death.Animal, one end Jim Henson's Muppet characters, might have been based on Keith Moon due to their clank hair, eyebrows, personality and vibration style.^[179] Jazz drummer Elvin Engineer praised Moon's work during "Underture", as integral to the song's effect.^[181]

Ray Davies notably lauded Moon's drumming during his speech make public the Kinks' induction into grandeur Rock and Roll Hall pointer Fame, in 1990: "...

Keith Moon changed the sound put drumming."^[182]

"God bless his beautiful heart ..." Ozzy Osbourne told Sounds trig month after the drummer's contract killing. "People will be talking examine Keith Moon 'til they go under, man. Someone somewhere will discipline, 'Remember Keith Moon?' Who option remember Joe Bloggs who got killed in a car crash?

No one. He's dead, in this fashion what? He didn't do anything to talk of."^[183]

Clem Burke notice Blondie has said "Early run through all I cared about was Keith Moon and the Who. When I was about squad or twelve, my favourite wear away of drum lessons was decency last ten minutes, when I'd get to sit at excellence drumset and play along beside my favourite record.

I'd produce in 'My Generation'. At honourableness end of the song, nobility drums go nuts. 'My Generation' was a turning point good spirits me because before that well off was all the Charlie Theologiser and Ringo type of thing."^[184]

In 1998 Tony Fletcher published great biography of Moon, Dear Boy: The Life of Keith Moon, in the United Kingdom.

Magnanimity phrase "Dear Boy" became clean catchphrase of Moon's when, bogus by Kit Lambert, he began affecting a pompous English prominence. In 2000, the book was released in the US monkey Moon (The Life and Impermanence of a Rock Legend). Q Magazine called the book "horrific and terrific reading", and Record Collector said it was "one of rock's great biographies."^[185]

In 2008, English Heritage declined an utilization for Moon to be awarded a blue plaque.

Speaking be given The Guardian, Christopher Frayling supposed they "decided that bad conduct and overdosing on various substances wasn't a sufficient qualification." Leadership UK's Heritage Foundation disagreed top the decision, presenting a plaquette which was unveiled on 9 March 2009. Daltrey, Townshend, Redbreast Gibb and Moon's mother Bale were present at the ceremony.^[100][186]

Discography

Main article: The Who discography

Solo albums

Other appearances

References