Keith Moon who was the great drummer for The Who was born on this day in 1946. He died at the age of 32 in 1978. The Who should have did what Led Zeppelin did when John Bonham died, called it a day but they continued for a few more years. The group wasn’t the same without Keith Moon. {The Who, my second favourite group behind The Beatles.}

Keith Moon was a true eccentric and his behavior grew more and more out of control as his life drew to its end.  Seeing pictures of him in the last year of his life it is hard to believe this man was only 32, he looked awful. The Who’s album “Who Are You” was released 3 weeks before his death. He was very self-destructive. Keith Moon “Moon The Loon” was a force of nature. Great drummer in his prime. He was a perfect drummer for The Who. {As I think John Bonham was perfect for what Led Zeppelin was doing and Ringo was perfect for The Beatles. }

Keith Moon was a guest of Paul McCartney’s at the premier of The Buddy Holly Story on  September 6, 1978. That night when he returned to his flat he took 32 tablets of clomethiazole, a medication he was taking to help his alcohol symptoms. He was supposed to take no more than 3 a day. The pills killed him. He died in the same flat that Cass Elliott died in 4 years earlier.

If Keith Moon isn’t the greatest drummer in rock and roll history he is certainly on the short list, on the Mount Rushmore of Rock Drummers.