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Perhaps the single greatest percussionists, Keith John Moon, helped to forge a standard of drumming unparalleled
in the rock industry. His odd tempo's influenced a great deal of drummers throughout the '70's, 80's & even through to
today. An instructor at a military school I attended, told me that Keith Moon could keep 11 different beats on the drums at
one time! And he could actually perform a drum roll on the bass drum.
Also known for his sense of humor, Keith tended
to be a bit on the weird side. He would totally trash his drum kit on stage, & was also known to do the same to hotel
rooms while on tour. These actions would cause the Who to be banned from Holiday Inns for life. One story which guitarist/bassist/voaclist,
Greg Lake tells on the Emerson, Lake & Palmer "Welcome Back" video, is where Keith had taken a blow up doll and put pantyhose
& a pair of pumps on it, then hung it out of his car window causing the legs of the thing to flop in the wind.
Of
all the drummers I have heard over many years, I don't think I have ever heard one with quite the ability & energy of
Keith Moon. In much of the work of the Who, I find myself wondering how he did half of the stuff he did. The intricate rhythms
boggle the mind & dazzle the ears.
Sadly, Keith died at a very young age (he was only 32). But his antics & drumming
shall live for ever. His influence on the drumming world will be heard for a long time to come. Although I do not play drums
myself, if I ever were to, I would try to emulate this drumming genius. If that's possible.
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