Keith Moon Dies Before He Gets Old

Although The Who were around since the Sixties, you could say that they were the ultimate Seventies arena rock band, and Keith Moon was the ultimate Seventies arena rocker. As the band's drummer, Keith had a reputation for being a hard-partying maniac, as well as a musical innovator who changed the role of drums in popular music.

Let's face it, guys like Ringo and Charlie Watts were not exactly on a par with Buddy Rich. They were basic beat-keepers, and that was about it for most rock drummers. Moon wasn't a front man, but he certainly was considered an equal contributor to The Who's sound and image. One of the first rock drummers to use a large kit, including two bass drums, he was visually exciting - especially when he smashed his equipment at the end of a set. I will leave critiques of Keith's style to those more familiar with drumming, but suffice it to say that his was unique and melodic, if not always exactly on time.

Actually Moon smashed a lot more than just drums. He was the stereotypical rock and roller on the road, trashing hotels wherever he went. And wherever he went there were all-night parties.

On September 7, 1978 Moon died in London at the age of 31. The cause of death was listed as an accidental overdose of sedatives. I'll always regret that I never got to hear The Who while he was with them.