Keith Moon, R.I.P.: Remembering the Who Drummer's Great Rock & Roll Contributions

Taylor Hamby | Posted on

Keith Moon, drummer of the Who, died 33 years ago today in 1978. The man contributed a great deal to rock and roll, from naming one of the greatest classic rock acts, creating awesome collaborations with his legendary contemporaries, or setting the precedent for the decadence of the rock star lifestyle and classic rock drumming.

We present a few highlights of Moon's legendary antics and contributions to rock and roll history. And in the spirit of Moon's last words, “If you don't like it, you can just fuck off!”
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Blowing shit up.

While Moon probably didn't invent the John Bomb, he certainly perfected the art and made it a signature move of his. The video shown above is actually a tribute to Moon. His toilet explosions got him banned for life from several hotels (as well as other antics). He also added ten times the amount of gun powder in his drum kit to their normal pyrotechnic act at the finale of “My Generation” on the Smothers Bros Comedy Hour. Watch the video here.



He suggested the name for Led Zeppelin.
The story goes that when Robert Plant expressed plans to form a supergroup with Jimmy Page, the New Yardbirds, Moon retorted that the project would go up like a lead zeppelin. Ta da.


He inspired the idea for Animal from the Muppets.
It is believed that Jim Henson's Animal character, the wild drummer, is based on Moon. The eccentricities, destructive behavior and well, drumming, are all traits the two share.

He was voted the number two best drummer by Rolling Stone readers.
It's no secret or surprise. There's little need for explanation on this one. One just needs to listen to see the proof. Though Who members may not agree that he was the best band mate, many agree that he was a genius behind the skins. Rolling Stone went on to say that the Who has never sound the same without Moon since his death. He was beat out in votes by Led Zeppelin's John Bonham. 

His antics got him (and the rest of the Who) banned from several hotels.
The stereotypical rowdy rock & roll band trashing a hotel room in wild parties was exemplified by the Who, specifically Moon. Countless televisions sets were thrown out windows and into pools or streets. He drove a car into the Holiday Inn's pool. These antics led to his banning for life from several big name hotel chains. Hotel toilets were his biggest explosive targets. He threw a five-tier cake at his 21st birthday party guests at the Holiday Inn. He's left a legacy of destruction that's tough (and expensive) to top.
 

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