Annette Walter-Lax says the Who drummer's last words were "If you don't like it, you can f*** off!" After Annette left the flat, Moon took a deadly amount of Heminevrin: 32 pills. 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. "[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. On This Day in History: Keith Moons Final Performance with The Who, Dozens of People Receive Racist Email from Walmart, 6-Year-Old Shot Dead After Mom Flips Off Driver in Road Rage Incident. The AZ Of Queen, Peter Grant, The Story Of Rock's Greatest Manager and Pretend You're in a War: The Who & The Sixties. Keith Moon. Smith remembers one occasion where he and Moon tore apart a pair of trousers, with an accomplice later looking for one-legged trousers. With a focus on news, media, and humor, we are a RARE voice in todays media landscape. (1975) before moving back to the UK in 1977 to play on Who Are You, his last recorded work with The Who. [79] Moon's next film role was J.D. While he was still using cocaine, the fact that he didnt go wild on the free champagne was considered progress. [98] Entwistle later said, "He decided that if it was a publicised fact that it was his 21st birthday, he would be able to drink. [54], By 1970 Moon had begun to use timbales, gongs and timpani, and these were included in his setup for the rest of his career. Sat 24th Apr 2021 15.30 BST. 3. In time, Kim got involved with Ian "Mac" McLagan of the Small Faces and she and Mandy moved in with him at his house in Sheen . A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon and Sun are on opposite sides of Earth. He explained that the group had totally lost their way: "Harry Nilsson, Bobby Keyes, Keith Moon. 2 in their list of the 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time, behind John Bonham. Moon led a destructive lifestyle. Daltrey said in an interview with Vulture . Moon was recognised for his drumming style, which emphasised tom-toms, cymbal crashes, and drum fills. Carlos Santana is a musician who needs little introduction. His band recently released their new album called . 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. Back at their flat, in 12 Curzon Place, Mayfair, Moon told Annette he was hungry. Moon initially told his girlfriend Annette Walter-Lax he didnt want to go to the party. 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. Related articles John Lennon letter to Keith Moon and Harry Nilsson fetches 53,000 With a focus on news, media, and humor, we are a RARE voice in todays media landscape. "[77] His performance was not appreciated by animal lovers, several of whom called the station with complaints. September 7, 2018. But he was loud and strong. The next evening Moon systematically destroyed everything in his hotel room, cut himself doing so and passed out. [143], On 4 January 1970 Moon accidentally killed his friend, driver and bodyguard, Neil Boland, outside the Red Lion pub in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Includes automatic download of 24bit files in any or all formats of Your choice: WAV, FLAC, ALAC During a lunar eclipse, Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the sunlight falling on the Moon. The drummer explained that since a cherry bomb was about to explode, he had thrown it down the toilet and showed Townshend the case of cherry bombs. In the days leading up to his death, Moon cut back on the booze. 1. No one. SOFT WORKS - Abracadabra In Osaka (2CD) 6 panels eco-wallet with 20 pages booklet. 4. "Drinking suited the group a lot better. Moon and Entwistle left the Who for a week (with Moon hoping to join the Animals or the Nashville Teens), but they changed their minds and returned. Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. He was posthumously inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1982, becoming the second rock drummer to be chosen, and in 2011, Moon was voted the second-greatest drummer in history by a Rolling Stone readers' poll. BA1 1UA. On the album cover, he is seated on a chair back-to-front to hide the weight gained over three years (as discussed in Tony Fletcher's book Dear Boy ); the words "NOT TO BE TAKEN AWAY" appear on the back of the chair. Posted by 10 years ago. 1. His mother bought him a drum kit when he was 14 and it was soon apparent that he . [164] Since 1996, the Who's drummer has been Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey, who had been given a drum kit by Moon (whom he called "Uncle Keith"). The intensity of the explosion singed Townshend's hair and embedded a piece of cymbal in Moon's arm. [13] Moon also admired Elvis Presley's original drummer DJ Fontana, the Shadows' original drummer Tony Meehan[14] and the Pretty Things' Viv Prince. Sisters Tammy Slaton Says She Was Speechless After Caleb Willinghams Proposal, CNNs Kasie Hunt Gives Birth to Second Baby in Bathroom After 13-Minute Sudden Labor, Pregnant Kaley Cuoco Shares Sweet Selfies with Tom Pelphrey, Waiting For Baby Girl. Outside the cinema Keith spotted Melody Maker journalist Roy Carr and grabbed him in a bear hug. 19: 'So Sad About Us'. He was, they insist, trying to get better. In Annettes account, Moon woke up at 7:30am and told her he wanted food. Fuelled by vast quantities of drink, drugs, insecurities and confusion, Moon destroyed everything with gleeful abandon: drum kits, houses, cars, hotels, relationships and, finally, himself. A month earlier, The Who released Who Are You, their first new album in three years. [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. Moon, in the words of Fletcher, had a "lack of control and timing," but Moon enjoyed playing. By Ken Sharp. He is probably now best known for his big hit, 'Yesterday Man'. He then jumped back into the limo, saying "I nearly forgot. [146], In mid-1978, Moon moved into Flat 12, 9 Curzon Place (later Curzon Square), Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London, renting from Harry Nilsson. Q Magazine called the book "horrific and terrific reading", and Record Collector said it was "one of rock's great biographies. They gave him a shower and an injection of cortisone, sending him back onstage after a thirty-minute delay. 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. 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. 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. We tell stories with heart, humor, and authenticity to celebrate American life. A month before his death, The Who released their then . And Im gonna get married again.. I figured that was it. 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. Starting in February at Disney California Adventure park, Moon Girl is making her debut at Hollywood Land! It's a wonder he didn't come round and personally flatten the diminutive drummer. The press party for the release of the Who's Next album was held at Tara. Mass Market Paperback. I suppose as a drummer, I'm adequate. 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. 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. The public Keith Moon was The Who 's manic drummer and hellraising, daredevil comedian; a man who only ever lived in the moment. 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 . Their debut album, My Generation, showcased the unique style of Moons drumming: full of tom-toms, crashing cymbals, and surf music influence. The last time I was in town was the first time I'd ever visited Los Angeles on anything other than business. He watched a film (The Abominable Dr. Phibes), and asked Walter-Lax to cook him steak and eggs. Heminevrin quelled the craving for alcohol, but sometimes left users in a docile and forgetful state. 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. 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." [92] McLagan commented that Moon "couldn't handle it. I mean somebody good?" Andrew Neill and Matthew Kent estimated that his destruction of hotel toilets and plumbing cost as much as 300,000 ($500,000). Moon developed a habit of kicking over his drums, claiming that he did so in exasperation at an audience's indifference. Keith Moon, Melody Maker, September 1970[31], Moon's style of drumming was considered unique by his bandmates, although they sometimes found his unconventional playing frustrating; Entwistle noted that he tended to play faster or slower according to his mood. 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. "[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. Keith Moon: Classic Images of the Iconic Drummer. The last photo of Keith Moon As last words go, they are pretty hard to beat. [3][4] Moon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 as a member of the Who. In 1967, he contributed backing vocals to "All You Need Is Love". [69], The Beatles became friends with Moon, and this led to occasional collaborations. 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. Other party guests, including Paul and Linda McCartney, David Frost and ex-Faces drummer Kenney Jones (whom unbeknown to everyone would take Moons place in The Who) all remember Keith being in good spirits and surprisingly sober. Keith John Moon was born to Alfred Charles (Alf) and Kathleen Winifred (Kit) Moon[2][5] on 23 August 1946 at Central Middlesex Hospital in northwest London, and grew up in Wembley, in the UK. Keith Moon was more than just rock's greatest drummer, he was also its greatest character and wildest party animal. Jul 9, 2019 - Knowing the last words that someone spoke can sometimes throw light on their character or on the circumstances in which they died. At the end of the 1976 US tour in Miami that August, Moon became delirious was treated in Hollywood Memorial Hospital for eight days. [37], Moon also aspired to sing lead vocal on some songs. Lets go.. Keith John Moon was an English drummer who played with the English rock band the Who. [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. For a short while, Daltrey's puch seemed to knock some sense into Moon. This one is . [149], After moving in, Moon began a prescribed course of Heminevrin (clomethiazole, a sedative) to alleviate his alcohol withdrawal symptoms. "People will be talking about Keith Moon 'til they die, man. The following year he released his only solo album, entitled Two Sides of the Moon. (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? 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. "[169] Holly George-Warren, editor and author of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: The First 25 Years, said: "With the death of Keith Moon in 1978, rock arguably lost its single greatest drummer. "[181], Clem Burke of Blondie has said "Early on all I cared about was Keith Moon and the Who. [151] Max Glatt, an authority on alcoholism, wrote in The Sunday Times that Moon should never have been given the drug. His first was in 1971, a cameo in Frank Zappa's 200 Motels as a nun afraid of dying from a drug overdose. But he ultimately died of a drug overdose on September 7, 1978. Fletcher considers the drumming on this album to be the best of Moon's career. A long-gestating biopic about The Who drummer Keith Moon will begin filming this summer after 20 years. The band stopped playing, and a group of roadies carried Moon offstage. Pinterest. Moon overdosed on prescribed Heminevrin, a strong sedative meant to ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms as he struggled to get sober. "[158][149] In November 1978, Faces drummer Kenney Jones joined the Who. Here you'll find all collections you've created before. Today. When Walter-Lax checked on him the following afternoon, she discovered he was dead. It was the concluding show on their tour. Keith Moon was an English drummer who had a net worth equal to $10 million at the time of his death in 1978. 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. "[103], The drummer immediately began drinking upon his arrival in Flint. "[144] Although he was a loyal companion to Moon, the lifestyle eventually became too much for him; he phoned Curbishley, saying that they needed to move back to England or one of them might die. Sandom had generally been the peacemaker as Daltrey and Townshend feuded between themselves, but because of Moon's temperament the group now had four members frequently in conflict. Featured Specials and Programs. Moon's drumming continues to be praised by critics and musicians. [48] Moon also co-composed "The Ox" (an instrumental from their debut album, My Generation) with Townshend, Entwistle and keyboardist Nicky Hopkins. And it was this version of Keith Moon that led to his untimely death on September 7 1978. Paperback. If they have a round table, some glasses and candles, we might contact him. When she told him she wanted to go anyway, he changed his mind and called his dealer who delivered some cocaine. 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. Curbishley told Townshend, who informed the rest of the band. As the genius drummer for The Who, wild-man Moon is a non-. "[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." [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. The band continued without him for several songs before Townshend asked, "Can anyone play the drums? 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. By the time of their final tour with him in 1976, and particularly during production of The Kids Are Alright and Who Are You, the drummer's deterioration was evident. His last word was "Mozart!". He quickly ended the interview when the journalist asked him about the Who's future plans. "[78], Nevertheless, the drummer landed several acting roles. "'Tis well." 2. [19] In December 1962 he joined the Beachcombers, a semi-professional London cover band playing hits by groups such as the Shadows. Blues singer Bessie Smith died saying, "I'm going . After an investigation, the coroner ruled Boland's death an accident; Moon, having been charged with a number of offences, received an absolute discharge. Sadly it wasnt. Like a train ride you couldn't stop. I've got no real aspirations to be a great drummer. Moons playing was erratic and unreliable, and he was made to pose Christine Keeler-style for the cover photograph so as to conceal a paunch. The late '70s proved a double whammy for the "Let My Love Open the Door" singer and his surviving bandmates. I Can't Explain02. The Who's famous drummer ended his career as a musician and comedian when he lost his life on Sep. 7, 1978. Someone somewhere will say, 'Remember Keith Moon?' You can't help but feel that some of the last words of the famous people on this list encapsulate their personas. [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. "[180], "God bless his beautiful heart" Ozzy Osbourne told Sounds a month after the drummer's death. I was scared to death. [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. [2], Moon's first serious relationship was with Kim Kerrigan, whom he started dating in January 1965 after she saw the Who play at Le Disque a Go! The Moon indeed. One of the things we'd do was wait to see what Keith Moon was going to wear . This erroneous date appeared in several otherwise-reliable sources, including the Townshend-authorised biography Before I Get Old: The Story of The Who. Moon continued briefly and then stopped, shouting "Drum solos are boring! The proposal never happened. 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. After the pair socialised for a few days, Moon and Entwistle brought Johnston to the set of Ready Steady Go!,[63] which made them late for a show with the Who that evening. [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. not for children. When The Who featured as guests on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in September 1967, the band was asked by the hosts in advance to destroy their instruments. Actor: Tommy. [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. The official cause of death was listed on the certificate as Clomethiazole (Heminevrin) overdose, self-administered but no evidence of intention. "[62], In May 1966, Moon discovered that the Beach Boys' Bruce Johnston was visiting London. "We used to fight regularly", remembered Moon in later years. "[102], On 23 August 1967, on tour opening for Herman's Hermits, Moon celebrated what he said was his 21st birthday (although it was thought at the time to be his 20th) at a Holiday Inn in Flint, Michigan. [52], Moon played a four- and later a five-piece drum kit during his early career. Watch John Lennon Jam Out at The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, Cameron Diaz Was Nervous Before Filming Her Acting Return with Jamie Foxx, 1000-Lb. Moon suffered a number of setbacks during the 1970s, most notably the accidental death of chauffeur Neil Boland and the breakdown of his marriage. Born in Wembley, a suburb of London, England, at age 12 he joined the local Sea Cadet Corps where he learned to play the bugle and later, the drums. [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. What nobody knew was the damaging effects of the prescription drugs he was taking and in such quantities. to Moon as he tries to sneak into the studio. "[168], Moon's drumming has been praised by critics. The Beachcombers continued as a local cover band after his departure. [130], In 1973 Kim, convinced that neither she nor anyone else could moderate Keith's behaviour, left her husband and took Amanda;[131] she sued for divorce in 1975 and later married Faces keyboard player Ian McLagan. Watch the full interview. [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. He was an attention seeker and he had to have it. [41] At the end of "Happy Jack", Townshend can be heard saying "I saw ya!" Moon was the bad boy of rock & roll, the most manic member of an aggressive and fabulously successful band, a full-throttle . "[36] On 23 June 1977, he made a guest appearance at a Led Zeppelin concert in Los Angeles. [176] Animal, one of Jim Henson's Muppet characters, may have been based on Keith Moon due to their similar hair, eyebrows, personality and drumming style. 0 Votes. Bill Curbishley remembered that "he wouldn't walk into any room and just listen. It was less helpful for his cocaine habit. "[26] Moon later claimed that he was never formally invited to join the Who permanently; when Ringo Starr asked how he had joined the band, he said he had "just been filling in for the last fifteen years. A true rollercoaster career that would epitomise the folly of being a rock star, Moon has remained a tragic figure ever since. Jack McCullogh, then working for Track Records (the Who's label), recalls Moon ordering him to purchase a milk float to store in the garage at Tara. [6] His art teacher said in a report: "Retarded artistically. 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 . Shooting is set to begin on the Moon pic in June, and the casting process has been rumbling along for a few months already. He's dead, so what? Moon's drumming style affected the band's musical structure; although Entwistle initially found Moon's lack of conventional timekeeping problematic, it created an original sound. 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. [20] During his time in the group Moon incorporated theatrical tricks into his act, including "shooting" the group's lead singer with a starter pistol. Moons final performance with the band took place on May 25, 1978, just months before the musicians premature death at the age of 32. Others, including Led Zeppelins former tour manager Richard Cole, remember Moon telling them he planned to wed Annette. "[98] He quickly developed a reputation for destroying bathrooms and blowing up toilets. By 1966, The Who had become bona fide pop stars. During much of 1964 and 1965 his setups consisted of Ludwig drums and Zildjian cymbals. She still remembered the last time they met. He was restless, said Annette. He provided humorous commentary during song announcements, although sound engineer Bob Pridden preferred to mute his vocal microphone on the mixing desk whenever possible. [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. [116] Daltrey later denied threatening to fire him, but said that by this time Moon was out of control. Emily Mack He would join them at clubs, forming a particularly close friendship with Ringo Starr. His 21st birthday party in Flint, Michigan, has been cited as a notorious example of decadent behaviour by rock groups. "[24]:52:29, Moon's arrival in the Who changed the dynamics of the group. [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. Six are enough to be fatal and Moon never regained consciousness. [58] At one point, Moon asked Premier to make a white kit with gold-plated fittings. "[33] Contemporary critics questioned his ability to keep time, with biographer Tony Fletcher suggesting that the timing on Tommy was "all over the place." "The general perception of Keith Moon as a drummer is that he was . "[170] According to AllMusic critic Bruce Eder, "Moon, with his manic, lunatic side, and his life of excessive drinking, partying, and other indulgences, probably represented the youthful, zany side of rock & roll, as well as its self-destructive side, better than anyone else on the planet. In 1979, just one year after losing Moon, the group was thrust into an unwanted . Cole: He said I feel great, Ive given up everything except women. After playing with a local band, the Beachcombers, he joined the Who in 1964 before they recorded their first single. Moon enjoyed touring and socialising, and became bored and restless when the Who were inactive. McCartney had acquired the rights to Hollys song publishing, and a biopic, The Buddy Holly Story, was premiering later that night. Unfortunately for Keith these ended up being his last words. Posted by 6 years ago. "[128] He loved Amanda, but his absences due to touring and fondness for practical jokes made their relationship uneasy when she was very young. 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. 4: 'Who Are You' (live at Ramport Studios in Battersea, 1978) Filmed at The Who's Ramport Studios in Battersea, south London, Moon's performance, with his headphones gaffer-taped to his . [15] He also enjoyed singing, with a particular interest in Motown. Moon, so far gone in his addictions, was out of practice could barely keep up with the band. The Jam's single was released about a month after Moon's death. . Famous Last Words. 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). [78] Reed later said that Moon "showed me the way to insanity.