[151], By September 1978 Moon was having difficulty playing the drums, according to roadie Dave "Cy" Langston. Article. Keith Moon was born on 23 August 1946, spending his formative years in Wembley, not far from the famous stadium. [57] This kit was not used at the Who's performance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. He bought a number of cars and gadgets, and flirted with bankruptcy. [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. . 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. Entwistle was giving an interview to two journalists when he was interrupted by a phone call with the news of Moon's death. "[126], From 1971 to 1975 Moon owned Tara, a home in Chertsey where he initially lived with his wife and daughter. The Mamas and the Papas singer, Cass Elliot had died in the same flat four years prior also at the age of 32. 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. McCartney had acquired the rights to Hollys song publishing, and a biopic, The Buddy Holly Story, was premiering later that night. Back in print, Moon is the brilliant and heralded biography of one of rock & roll's most notorious and beloved figures: The Who's legendary drummer Keith Moon. A month earlier, The Who released Who Are You, their first new album in three years. "[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. [88] "[We] went through the same stages everybody goes through the bloody drug corridor", he later reflected. Throughout Moon's tenure with the Who, his drum kit steadily grew in size, and (along with Ginger Baker) he has been credited as one of the earliest rock drummers to regularly employ double bass drums in his setup. Fletcher considers the drumming on this album to be the best of Moon's career. The following year he released his only solo album, entitled Two Sides of the Moon. Go! Watch. Speaking to The Guardian, Christopher Frayling said they "decided that bad behaviour and overdosing on various substances wasn't a sufficient qualification." Her parents, who were furious, met with the Moons to discuss their options, and she moved into the Moon family home in Wembley. . [107] During the band's recording sabbatical between 1976 and 1978, Moon gained a considerable amount of weight. Someone somewhere will say, 'Remember Keith Moon?' . He said: 'You'll have to give up work there's this gig on Monday. "[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. Earlier that night, Moon and his girlfriend, Annette Walter-Lax, attended the Buddy Holly Story premiere with Linda and Paul McCartney. [125] The marriage (and child) were kept secret from the press until May 1968. 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. His drumming continues to be praised by critics and musicians. 1. [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. "[180], "God bless his beautiful heart" Ozzy Osbourne told Sounds a month after the drummer's death. Keith Moon and daughter Amanda with some of his car collection. Stay up to date with in depth music reviews, exclusive interviews and widespread coverage of whats happening from your favourite music genre. TIL that drummer Keith Moon's last words were "If you don't like it, you can just fuck off!" as a response to his then girlfriend when she refused to cook him a steak and egg breakfast. [146], In mid-1978, Moon moved into Flat 12, 9 Curzon Place (later Curzon Square), Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London, renting from Harry Nilsson. He watched a film (The Abominable Dr. Phibes), and asked Walter-Lax to cook him steak and eggs. [23], A commonly cited story of how Moon joined the Who in 1964 is that he appeared at a show shortly after Sandom's departure, where a session drummer was used. But he ultimately died of a drug overdose on September 7, 1978. With a focus on news, media, and humor, we are a RARE voice in todays media landscape. Keith John Moon was an English drummer who played with the English rock band the Who. Moon overdosed on prescribed Heminevrin, a strong sedative meant to ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms as he struggled to get sober. "[29] These antics earned him the nickname "Moon the Loon".[30]. Keith Moon, The Who's celebrated drummer, was born in Wembley on 23 August 1946, and is widely acclaimed as the greatest drummer in the history of rock. Related articles John Lennon letter to Keith Moon and Harry Nilsson fetches 53,000 It was less helpful for his cocaine habit. 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. Townshend called vocalist Roger Daltrey and then bassist John Entwistle, who was being interviewed at the time. Just four months prior, Moon performed live for the last time with The Who, which fans can watch below. Moon is recording skits to play between songs while filling in for disc jockey John . Moon the Loons aptitude for music was clear during his Wembley childhood as were his more troubling tendencies. 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. Moon's performance on "Bell Boy" (Quadrophenia, 1973) saw him abandon "serious" vocal performances to sing in character, which gave him (in Fletcher's words) "full licence to live up to his reputation as a lecherous drunk"; it was "exactly the kind of performance the Who needed from him to bring them back down to earth. Of the thirty-two Heminevrin tablets he found in Moon's stomach, twenty-six were undissolved. During much of 1964 and 1965 his setups consisted of Ludwig drums and Zildjian cymbals. During the Who's early days he began taking amphetamines,[85] and in a NME interview said his favourite food was "French Blues". She cooked his favourite, lamb cutlets, after which they went to bed to watch a video of the camp horror film The Abominable Doctor Phibes. [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. 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. 1. 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. I said: 'Nothing.' [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. Composer Gustav Mahler died in bed, conducting an imaginary orchestra. Pinterest. When the audience demanded he do it again, Moon kicked over his drum kit. Smith remembers one occasion where he and Moon tore apart a pair of trousers, with an accomplice later looking for one-legged trousers. Mass Market Paperback. [56] His new larger configuration was notable for the presence of two bass drums; he, along with Ginger Baker, has been credited as one of the early pioneers of double bass drumming in rock. But it's the funniest one so far, and also (to my mind) the cleverest. Actor: Tommy. In 2016, the same magazine ranked him No. 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. Moons final performance with the band took place on May 25, 1978, just months before the musicians premature death at the age of 32. "Substitute," the band's follow-up, cracked the top . Rare covers every corner of American culture with no slant or bias. At Moons funeral Daltrey told the mourners he still half-expected Keith to leap from the coffin, claiming it was all a joke. A month before his death, The Who released their then . [92] McLagan commented that Moon "couldn't handle it. 3. Starting in February at Disney California Adventure park, Moon Girl is making her debut at Hollywood Land! This drum solo would be the rock legends last. Keith Moon discussed his reckless lifestyle on 'Good Morning America' just a month before his death. The last photo of Keith Moon As last words go, they are pretty hard to beat. He would join them at clubs, forming a particularly close friendship with Ringo Starr. Gustav Mahler. [13] Moon also admired Elvis Presley's original drummer DJ Fontana, the Shadows' original drummer Tony Meehan[14] and the Pretty Things' Viv Prince. . [98] Townshend remembers walking into the bathroom of Moon's hotel room and noticing the toilet had disappeared, with only the S-bend remaining. [53] In recognition of his loyalty to the company, Premier reissued the kit in 2006 as the "Spirit of Lily". 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. The band continued without him for several songs before Townshend asked, "Can anyone play the drums? 0 Votes. [9] On his way home from school, Moon would often go to Macari's Music Studio on Ealing Road to practise on the drums there, learning his basic skills on the instrument. Keith Moon. 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. [12] Moon's early style was influenced by jazz, American surf music and rhythm and blues, exemplified by noted Los Angeles studio drummer Hal Blaine. [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. An addled Keith Moon f***ing with his kid was beyond forgiveness. [153], Curbishley phoned the flat at around 5:00p.m. looking for Moon, and Dymond gave him the news. Keith Moon was more than just rock's greatest drummer, he was also its greatest character and wildest party animal. JOHN ADAMS. In 1979, just one year after losing Moon, the group was thrust into an unwanted . $37.74 8 Used from $13.97 9 New from $22.34. The WhoMaple Leaf GardensToronto, Ontario, CanadaOctober 21, 1976Audience Recording by JEMS01. He was noted for his unique style of playing and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour. 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. Slowly too we realized that his fluid style . [138] In the early 1970s Moon helped Stanshall with his "Radio Flashes" radio show for BBC Radio 1, filling in for the vacationing John Peel. "John [Entwistle] and I used to have fights it wasn't very serious, it was more of an emotional spur-of-the moment thing. 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. "[97], Moon's favourite stunt was to flush powerful explosives down toilets. Moon (or Entwistle) remarked that a particular suggestion had gone down like a "lead zeppelin" (a play on "lead balloon"). "[77] His performance was not appreciated by animal lovers, several of whom called the station with complaints. Others, including Led Zeppelins former tour manager Richard Cole, remember Moon telling them he planned to wed Annette. Keith Moon's (original drummer for The Who) last words were "if you don't like it, you can fuck off!" So rock and roll. [58], While Moon generally said he was only interested in working with the Who,[31] he participated in outside musical projects. [72] Rolling Stone's John Hoegel appreciated Entwistle's decision not to let Moon drum, saying that it distanced his album from the familiar sound of the Who. "Drinking suited the group a lot better. [51] Moon sat in on congas with East of Eden at London's Lyceum Ballroom, and afterwards suggested to violinist Dave Arbus that he play on the track. He said: 'You come 'ere.' Moon had been taking Heminevrin for some time. Talking to Moons biographer Tony Fletcher, Annette remembered Keith taking his usual glass of water and bucket of pills before falling asleep around 4:am. Banger O'Riley. Goodnight Keith Moon: A Parody!, Bruce Worden, Clare Cross. [adsense-gallery] [zergnet] Prev 7 of 7 Next. 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. "[27] Moon also clashed with Daltrey and Townshend: "We really have absolutely nothing in common apart from music", he said in a later interview. [109], During the opening date of the band's March 1976 US tour at the Boston Garden, Moon passed out over his drum kit after two numbers and the show was rescheduled. [50], The drummer produced the violin solo on "Baba O'Riley". Louder is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. He left school by 15 and was in his first band, The Beachcombers; this was around the summer of 1963. Longtime friend and personal assistant Butler observed, "He was trying to make people laugh and be Mr Funny, he wanted people to love him and enjoy him, but he would go so far. "[168], Moon's drumming has been praised by critics. At the end of the song, the drums go nuts. In the video for Wont Get Fooled Again (linked above), the triple split-screen details energetic displays by guitarist Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey at the mic, and bassist John Entwistle. He wanted to get sober, but because of his fear of psychiatric hospitals, he wanted to do it at home. "[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. He then jumped back into the limo, saying "I nearly forgot. [95] Around the same time he became a severe alcoholic, starting the day with drinks and changing from the "lovable boozer" he presented himself as to a "boorish drunk". Dressed in ginger clothes and with his hair dyed ginger (future bandmate Pete Townshend later described him as a "ginger vision"),[24]:52:40 he claimed to his would-be bandmates that he could play better; he played in the set's second half, nearly demolishing the drum kit in the process. 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. [3][4] Moon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 as a member of the Who. He did not keep a drum kit or practise at Tara, and began to deteriorate physically as a result of his lifestyle. All rights reserved. "My Generation," released late in the previous year, shot to No. Shooting is set to begin on the Moon pic in June, and the casting process has been rumbling along for a few months already. There was rumour that Keith was self-taught,. Daltrey said in an interview with Vulture . 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. 2 on the UK charts. 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. "Thomas Jefferson survives." What Adams didn't know was that Jefferson had actually passed away several hours earlier. [69], The Beatles became friends with Moon, and this led to occasional collaborations. It was a powerful sedative prescribed to him by Harley Street physician, Dr Geoffrey Dymond. "[181], Clem Burke of Blondie has said "Early on all I cared about was Keith Moon and the Who. [147] Moon then took some clomethiazole tablets. "[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." Rock Musician. Keith had been exceeding his prescribed dose of Heminevrin the same way he abused every other drug. Edgy! It was just another night in the life of a successful rock star: a film premiere and a party. SOFT WORKS - Abracadabra In Osaka (2CD) 6 panels eco-wallet with 20 pages booklet. The Beachcombers continued as a local cover band after his departure. [48] Moon also co-composed "The Ox" (an instrumental from their debut album, My Generation) with Townshend, Entwistle and keyboardist Nicky Hopkins. A long-gestating biopic about The Who drummer Keith Moon will begin filming this summer after 20 years. For a short while, Daltrey's puch seemed to knock some sense into Moon. Bath My Wife04. But The Kids Are Alright director Jeff Stein insisted they try again, this time at Shepperton Studios. TIL that Keith Moon, the drummer for The Who, asked his then-girlfriend, Walter-Lax, to cook him steak and eggs. Close. [24]:7:44, Although Moon was known for kicking over his drum kit, Haynes claimed that it was done carefully and the kit rarely needed repairs. Falling in love with drum playing, he soon joined a group called The. A subscription makes a thoughtful gift for both family and friends. Mark Blake is the author of Pretend Youre In A War: The Who and the Sixties (opens in new tab). THOMAS JEFFERSON. He was an attention seeker and he had to have it. According to Pamela Des Barres, Moon had nightmares (which woke them both) about the incident and said he had no right to be alive. That's the same as around $40 million today after adjusting for inflation. 1. The AZ Of Queen, Peter Grant, The Story Of Rock's Greatest Manager and Pretend You're in a War: The Who & The Sixties. [123] She and Moon were married on 17 March 1966 at Brent Register Office,[124] and their daughter Amanda was born on 12 July. The Moon indeed. His band recently released their new album called . He said, I dont want to sit through this. 'The quantity was enormous,' Professor Simpson wrote down, 'and constituted a vast overdose.'. While touring with the Who, on several occasions he passed out on stage and was hospitalised. Keith gasped at the soft voice, sounding exactly the same as the voice of the woman in his dream. [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! [177][178] Jazz drummer Elvin Jones praised Moon's work during "Underture", as integral to the song's effect. "[36] On 23 June 1977, he made a guest appearance at a Led Zeppelin concert in Los Angeles. from $36.16 2 Used from $36.16. Afterwards I was sitting at the bar and Pete came over. How Many Murdaugh Murder Documentaries Are There and Where Can You Watch Them? May 25, 2021, 3:00 pm [29] Moon's recklessness with money reduced his profit from the group's 1975 UK tour to 47.35 (equivalent to 423 in 2021). Featured Specials and Programs. [61] Townshend later said, "A set of skins is about $300 [then 96] and after every show he'd just go bang, bang, bang and then kick the whole thing over. The Jam's single was released about a month after Moon's death. [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. Lets go.. 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. Moon was the bad boy of rock & roll, the most manic member of an aggressive and fabulously successful band, a full-throttle . I went into a panic.. The Who had reconvened . [25] In the words of the drummer, "they said go ahead, and I got behind this other guy's drums and did one song-'Road Runner.' "[103], The drummer immediately began drinking upon his arrival in Flint. Pseudos / Orthographe alternative: Busbee [US], Michael James Ryan Busbee, Mike Busbee He was, they insist, trying to get better. [149], After moving in, Moon began a prescribed course of Heminevrin (clomethiazole, a sedative) to alleviate his alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Moon died shortly after the release of Who Are You. Includes automatic download of 24bit files in any or all formats of Your choice: WAV, FLAC, ALAC Heres how it works. He left school at age fourteen, around Easter in 1961. His favourite musicians were jazz artists, particularly Gene Krupa (whose flamboyant style he subsequently copied). Moon grew up in Alperton, a suburb of Wembley, in Middlesex, United Kingdom, and took up the drums during the early 1960s.After playing with a local band, the Beachcombers, he joined the Who in . GEORGE WASHINGTON. 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". Moon enjoyed touring and socialising, and became bored and restless when the Who were inactive. [15] He also enjoyed singing, with a particular interest in Motown. [132] Marsh believes that Moon never truly recovered from the loss of his family. "[75] Dave Marsh, reviewing the album in Rolling Stone, wrote: "There isn't any legitimate reason for this album's existence. Although it featured Moon on vocals, he played drums on only three tracks; most of the drumming was left to others (including Ringo Starr, session musicians Curly Smith and Jim Keltner, and actor-musician Miguel Ferrer). Floor count. Moon also played timpani on another track, a cover of Jerome Kern's "Ol' Man River". Moon filled in for Peel in 1973's "A Touch of the Moon", a series of four programmes produced by John Walters. Perhaps he paused to register the publicity it . 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. Moon, so far gone in his addictions, was out of practice could barely keep up with the band. Moon continuously promoted his eccentric clown drummer image through exaggerated or simply false stories about his life. In the wake of Keith Moon's death, The Who continued to tour although Pete Townshend has admitted that this professional push was "completely irrational . [116] Daltrey later denied threatening to fire him, but said that by this time Moon was out of control. The official cause of death was listed on the certificate as Clomethiazole (Heminevrin) overdose, self-administered but no evidence of intention. Sign up below to get the latest from Classic Rock, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! It was Professor Keith Simpson, as it was with Cass Elliot, who performed the post mortem. He played on all the band's albums and singles from their . "[24]:52:29, Moon's arrival in the Who changed the dynamics of the group. 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. [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. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon and Sun are on opposite sides of Earth. If you want to come, we'll pick you up in the van.' 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." Next article These maps show how the world would look if the ice melted; [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. He was noted for his unique style and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour. "[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). We'd go home and he'd start a fight with me. The proposal never happened. He began to endorse Premier Drums in late 1965, and remained a loyal customer of the company. Keith Moon: Classic Images of the Iconic Drummer. Although that supergroup was never formed, Page remembered the phrase and later adapted it as the name of his new band. Track Records-MCA released a Moon solo single in 1974, comprising cover versions of the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry, Baby" and "Teenage Idol". [58] At one point, Moon asked Premier to make a white kit with gold-plated fittings. [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. And Roger, who was the spokesman then, said: 'What are you doing next Monday?' [143], On 4 January 1970 Moon accidentally killed his friend, driver and bodyguard, Neil Boland, outside the Red Lion pub in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. When asked by an audience member what would happen to the kit, he joked that "even the best drummers get hungry. By the time that Keith Moon took to the stage at Shepperton Studios on May 25, 1978, his relationship with the rest of The Who was terribly strained. In 1972 the performance was released as a companion disc to Lennon and Ono's album Some Time in New York City. Producers on the movie are Sinclair, Oliver Veysey and Jeanne Elfant . [104], Returning to the hotel, Moon started a food fight and soon cake began flying through the air. He felt very restless and didn't know what to do now.On the one hand, Nathania also felt the same anxiety. I was working during the day, selling plaster. I'd several drinks to get me courage up and when I got onstage I went arrgggGhhhh on the drums, broke the bass drum pedal and two skins, and got off. If they have a round table, some glasses and candles, we might contact him. I'd bring in 'My Generation'. You can't help but feel that some of the last words of the famous people on this list encapsulate their personas. The untimely loss of Keith Moon, one of the world's most skilled drummers, still hits rock music fans hard every so often. Keith died in London on 7 September 1978, from an accidental overdose . The UK's Heritage Foundation disagreed with the decision, presenting a plaque which was unveiled on 9 March 2009. I mean somebody good?" 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. His last word was "Mozart!". 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. According to Fletcher, Moon's toilet pyrotechnics began in 1965 when he purchased a case of 500 cherry bombs. [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"). 2 in their list of the 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time, behind John Bonham. The public Keith Moon was The Who 's manic drummer and hellraising, daredevil comedian; a man who only ever lived in the moment. As the genius drummer for The Who, wild-man Moon is a non-. Andrew Neill and Matthew Kent estimated that his destruction of hotel toilets and plumbing cost as much as 300,000 ($500,000). Famous Last Words. 25 JUDAS PRIEST / PRISONER OF YOUR EYES Judas Priest can write a goddamn ballad - "Last Rose of Summer" from Sin After Sin is the definition of a bittersweet kiss, and Turbo 's "Out in the Cold," so icy and forlorn, is secretly one of their best songs. Rocks greatest drummer was just 32 years old when he died. At the hotel he ran back to his room, grabbed the television and threw it out of the window into the swimming pool below.