English drummer for The Who
Considered one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock music
"...he was to the drums what Jimi Hendrix was to the guitar..." - author Nick Talevski
One of the earliest rock drummers to use double bass drums in kit
Keith Moon was known as "Moon the Loon" for his alcoholism, decadence, and dark humor. He was likewise known for destruction on stage and in hotel rooms when on tour.
Keith Moon passed of a drug overdose that was meant to treat or prevent symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Sadly, Keith truly hoped to get sober but was too afraid of psychiatric hospitals and so took the medication to aid at home.
(As one familiar with psychiatric wards, Keith had a right to fear.)
Positive notes -
Posthumously inducted into Modern Drummer Hall of Fame (1982)
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Who (1990)
Honors -
No. 2 on Rolling Stone's 2016 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time (after Led Zeppelin's John Bonham)
Rush drummer, Neil Peart, and many other rock drummers noted Keith Moon as an influence.
Keith was honored by Ozzy Osbourne shortly after his death.
Point of interest - Keith was only interested in working with The Who. However, one side project he delved into was appearing on the instrumental, "Beck's Bolero" - a piece by Yardbirds guitarist, Jeff Beck, & pianist, Nicky Hopkins, as well as future Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page & John Paul Jones.
Keith Moon's contemporaries and music critics praised his unique and distinctive talent. While the compliments abound, so too did his well-known dangerous, lacking, erratic, and destructive behavior. He was only 32 years old when he passed. Too young to go when he had the rest of his life to rebound.
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