| Subject: Archive: Keith Moon, Sept.7, 1978 |
Author:
Anonymous
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 09/ 7/09 12:59:45pm
Keith John Moon was born on August 23rd, 1946 in Wembley (north west London).
As a young teen, he joined a band called the Beachcombers and became part of Bob Druce's club circuit, which was the same circuit that the Who, then called the Detours, were on. It was apparent that Keith enjoyed surf music groups like the Beach Boys, as well as Jan and Dean, and continued to enjoy this style until the end of his life.
The Detours were having problems with their regular drummer, Dougie Sandom, and after one of their first recording sessions he left the group and they had to hire a session drummer to play at their gigs. At one such gig, a drunk man approached the group and said his friend could play better than the sessionist and Roger told him to bring his friend up for the next interval. Enter ginger man, Keith. After having a few drinks to get up his nerve, he went up and played "Road Runner" with the group. After a few other numbers, the group huddled up and then Roger went over and asked him what he was doing the next Saturday and Keith became the new drummer, but not immediately. He wanted his position to be settled so he strung them along for a bit and for a few weeks played in both the Beachcombers and the Who (by this time the group named changed to what we reconize). Finally, he left the Beachcombers.
"He knew the Who were a better band." said John Entwistle, " We were the top group on Bob Druce's circuit then, but we had a nasty reputation. He was wondering whether to join the nasty group and leave his nice surfing group."
Pete Townshend later said, "From the time we found Keith it was a complete turning point. He was so assertive and confident. Before then we had just been foolin' about." This confident and assertive young man was only eighteen at the time.
Keith's drive and intense power behind the tubs gave the band a whole new dimension sound wise and he completely complimented John's bass playing, which had a similar drive to it. Of the group Keith seemed to be closest to John, but everyone fought with each other about something in that group. Keith in early stages seemed to fall out more with Roger Daltrey.
Soon, this fast lane life style of Keith's was beginning to take it's toll on him physically. By the time of the promo pictures for the Who's album, "Who Are You," he had gained a tremendous amount of weight and seemed much older in appearance than he actually was. His personality never faltered though.
He did, however, try to get his act together, trying to cut back his drinking, and taking Heminevrin pills. He took them to keep from suffering from alcohol withdrawl symptoms. Many have later said that he should have only been prescribed the drug under hospital supervision. On the fateful night of September 7th, 1978, Keith had been to a party before the premeire of "The Buddy Holly Story" thrown by Paul and Linda McCartney. He attended with his girl friend, Annette Walter-Lax. Leaving early he had then returned home. He sipped a bit of white wine and watched "The Abominable Dr. Phibes" on video, then he went to bed. He died in his sleep after taking too many of his prescription pills (roughly 32). He was only 32. An eerie coincidence was that he died in the same room as Mama Cass, who died in 1974.
The world mourned the loss of an incredible man as people woke up the next day to discover the news. He was definitely one who defined drumming for the rock and roll community and is still missed to this day. He also set the standard for the rock and roll life style. (Drum Gods)
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
