The art of drumming has changed many times over the last few decades. But how did these changes occur? How did drumming go from a metronome like beat in the back ground of a song, to a powerful chaotic roll that people can almost see as a lead instrument? The answers to these questions are found in the lives of a few select people; people who dared to be different, people who tried new things, and people, who some say, were just plane loony. This last sentence perfectly describes The Who’s famous drummer Keith Moon, who would revolutionize the way drums were played in rock and roll.
Keith was born on August 23, 1946, to Alfred & Kathleen Moon in Wellesden, England. He started playing the bass drum in his high school marching band, and he stuck with them from then on. He played drums in several bands, but met with little success until he joined The Who in 1964. Keith’s own account of how this audition went goes, “They were playing at a pub near me, the Oldfield. I went down there, and they had a session drummer sitting in with them. I got up onstage and said, "Well, I can do better than him." They said go ahead, and I got behind this other guy's drums and I did one song — "Road Runner." I'd had several drinks to get me courage up, and when I got onstage I went arrrrrggGHHHHHHH on the drums, broke the base drum pedal and two skins and got off. I figured that was it, I was scared to death.” Shortly after this he was accepted into the band, and from then on he began to make history.
His playing style seemed rather insane at the time, mostly because of his wild and intense drum pounding, but his signature style of drumming eventually helped to put the Who on the map. His playing can be heard in the most popular songs of his era, including “pinball wizard”, “Behind Blue Eyes”, “Wont Get Fooled Again”, and “Who are You”. He also played of the famous live album, the Who’s “Live at Leeds.”
There is, however, a tragic ending to this story. This legendary drummer was not only known for his chaotic drumming, but also for his chaotic life style. He was a legendary alcoholic and drug user. By the time of The Who’s eighth album the drummers self abusive lifestyle became evident in his drumming. He was no longer able to play the same as he had earlier in his life, there for the Who had to stop touring. The drummer then became desperate to get over his addictions. He was prescribed the drug Heminevrin, a drug used to help people overcome alcohol cravings, which he was told to take when ever he felt a craving come on. His death came on September 7, 1978 due to an over dose of Heminevrin. The irony as I see it is that Keith died because he was trying to get better so he could continue to do the thing he loved the most, playing drums, and despite his efforts he was silenced for ever. In his memory the Who vowed to continue, but they were never the same. Rock had lost one of its favorite sons, but his influences live on.
Work cited:
http://www.keithmoon.co.uk/1978lastdays.php
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/profile/story/9264343/cover_story_keith_moon_bites_back/1
http://clippernolan.wordpress.com/2008/01/16/the-last-24-hours-of-keith-moon/
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Did not think many people even knew who Keith Moon was. I have watch specials on the Who and he always turned it out on the drums.I can't remember what I was watching, it's been some time ago but when they did Who are you he did a couple of mintues solo and the crowd went wild. After I read this post I had to go back and read the rest of your blogs. I really enjoyed them all. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a wonderful job of profiling Mr. Moon. I have to say that I have never knew that Keith Moon played the bass drum in high school. I thought it was really cool how you said that he just showed up at one of their gigs and said he could do better than their drummer. He obviously proved himself as he helped revolutionize drumming throughout the decades. I also thought it was cool how you hyped him up the whole time, but also showed that every star has its downfall. Overall though, I thought you did an excellent job of profiling Keith. I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this blog. To read it really opens a window into how you feel about the Who and their drummer, Moon. I have listened to the Who before but I never knew about all of the “behind the band” stuff. That’s really sad that such a great musician died trying to better himself, but isn’t that way of most great musicians? It must be the pressure of having to be great that drives them to such untimely endings.
ReplyDelete