{"id":48533,"date":"2023-12-04T16:12:34","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T00:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/?p=48533"},"modified":"2023-12-04T16:12:54","modified_gmt":"2023-12-05T00:12:54","slug":"keith-moon-drumming-genius","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/keith-moon-drumming-genius\/","title":{"rendered":"Keith Moon: 5 Reasons Why The Who Drummer Was A Genius"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Genius Of Keith Moon\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UAQQX_SrLq0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t want to channel all my energy into drumming, or to be a Buddy Rich. I just want to play drums for the Who, and that&#8217;s it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<cite>Keith Moon<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Well-behaved people rarely make history &#8211; and Keith Moon is no exception! The drummer of The Who tragically passed away at the age of 32, but not before establishing a legendary reputation that would make anyone&#8217;s grandma blush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a nickname like &#8220;Moon the Loon&#8221;, it&#8217;s no surprise to find out about his over-the-top pranks, his penchant for destroying hotel rooms, and a reputation for instigating shenanigans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While he undeniably had an explosive personality, why was Keith Moon a drumming &#8216;genius&#8217;? He had an original writing and playing style, always throwing in rolls and fills and cool &#8216;drummy&#8217; parts &#8211; and this is what cemented his influence among drummers of the &#8217;60s and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the earliest rock drummers to use a double bass kit, he helped bring heavy hitters into the spotlight. Here are a few reasons why Keith Moon was one of the greatest drummers in history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><nav><ol><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#1-the-keith-moon-sound\">The Keith Moon sound<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#2-awesome-grooves\">Awesome grooves<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#3-an-unconventional-approach\">An unconventional approach<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#4-leading-from-the-drums\">Leading from the drums<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#5-theatrics-and-lunacy\">Theatrics and lunacy<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-the-keith-moon-sound\">1. The Keith Moon sound<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When The Who blew up in the &#8217;60s, Keith Moon couldn&#8217;t be contained. He beat the living crap out of the drums and had a frantic and driving feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s an example of his tom-pounding triplets from &#8220;My Generation&#8221;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Who - My Generation\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qN5zw04WxCc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/app\/uploads\/2023\/10\/qt-the-genius-of-keith-moon-01-1695655043.svg\" alt=\"my generation by the who - drum notation\" class=\"wp-image-48765\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.6266666666666667;width:839px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;My Generation&#8221; by The Who<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can hear more of Moon&#8217;s relentless tom assault on &#8220;The Ox&#8221; &#8211; like the Surfaris&#8217; &#8217;60s surf rock classic &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/the-worlds-longest-drum-fill-on-ice\/\">Wipeout<\/a>&#8221; but even crazier:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Ox (Stereo Version)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wttbvUgw5SY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/app\/uploads\/2023\/10\/qt-the-genius-of-keith-moon-02-1695657126.svg\" alt=\"the ox by the who - drum notation\" class=\"wp-image-48764\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3.3333333333333335;width:839px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Keith Moon has influenced a ton of modern drummers. Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine) and Todd Sucherman (Styx) both cite &#8220;Bargain&#8221; by The Who as a must-know, kick-heavy track. Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) is a fan of Moon&#8217;s cymbal crashes in between fills: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bargain\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v6O5slQFFhc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While his over-the-top energy gave the band its exciting sound, Moon was still a master of dynamics. He&#8217;d sometimes set up a new section of a song with a dense drum fill, which was especially rare in the early &#8217;70s. Listen for it in &#8220;When I Was A Boy&#8221;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"When I Was A Boy\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TVC5sIvEtDQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Some drummers might need a few bars to make a statement with their fills, but Keith Moon could do a lot with just one bar &#8211; like in &#8220;Baba O&#8217;Riley&#8221;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Who - Baba O&#039;Riley (Lyric Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QRTNm6GLJYI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/app\/uploads\/2023\/10\/qt-the-genius-of-keith-moon-06-1695718333.svg\" alt=\"baba o&#039;riley by the who - drum notation\" class=\"wp-image-48763\" style=\"aspect-ratio:6.382978723404255;width:839px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Baba O&#8217;Riley&#8221; by The Who<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-awesome-grooves\">2. Awesome grooves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Giving songs the &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/top-12-drummers-you-dont-know\/#1-ronnie-verrell\">Animal<\/a> treatment&#8221; doesn&#8217;t mean saying goodbye to tasteful, simple grooves. Listen to how Moon pulls it back in &#8220;Love Is Coming Down&#8221;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Love Is Coming Down\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tIy0Hh8k2Ag?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/app\/uploads\/2023\/10\/qt-the-genius-of-keith-moon-11-1695719547.svg\" alt=\"love is coming down by the who - drum notation\" class=\"wp-image-48762\" style=\"aspect-ratio:2.9702970297029703;width:840px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Love Is Coming Down&#8221; by The Who<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can hear Moon&#8217;s great pocket in &#8220;Join Together&#8221; and &#8220;Put The Money Down&#8221;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Put The Money Down\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qksbFjPU89g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/app\/uploads\/2023\/10\/qt-the-genius-of-keith-moon-12-1695719734.svg\" alt=\"put the money down by the who - drum notation\" class=\"wp-image-48761\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3.5714285714285716;width:844px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Put The Money Down&#8221; by The Who<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Baby Don&#8217;t You Do It&#8221; opens with a breakbeat-style drum part, and improvised grooves sometimes turn into a full drum solo:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Who - Baby Don&#039;t You Do It\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sjpkYoYKDzE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/app\/uploads\/2023\/10\/qt-the-genius-of-keith-moon-13-1695719859.svg\" alt=\"baby dont do it by the who - drum notation\" class=\"wp-image-48760\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.6;width:839px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Baby Don&#8217;t You Do It&#8221; by The Who<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re a fan of triplets, you can hear some classic Keith Moon magic in &#8220;I&#8217;m One&#8221;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"I&#039;m One\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qvPVw0l5XpY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/app\/uploads\/2023\/10\/qt-the-genius-of-keith-moon-14-1695720262.svg\" alt=\"i&#039;m one by the who - drum notation\" class=\"wp-image-48759\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3.0927835051546393;width:839px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;I&#8217;m One&#8221; by The Who<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And listen to his trademark triplets in &#8220;The Rock&#8221;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Rock\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/R-XiVtp2ISg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/app\/uploads\/2023\/10\/qt-the-genius-of-keith-moon-15-part-1-1695978769.svg\" alt=\"the rock by the who - drum notation\" class=\"wp-image-48758\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3.3707865168539324;width:843px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;The Rock&#8221; by The Who<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-an-unconventional-approach\">3. An unconventional approach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Who bandleader Pete Townshend described Moon&#8217;s drumming style as &#8220;free&#8221;. Unapologetic in his approach to both writing and performing, he &#8211; as Frank Sinatra would put it &#8211; did it his way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Who needs hi-hats when you&#8217;re Keith Moon? He abandoned the kit staple early on, going through a no hi-hat phase in the &#8217;70s &#8211; and finding new ways to express himself &#8211; before eventually bringing them back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another example of his unconventional approach is in the verse sections of &#8220;Going Mobile&#8221;. Most drummers would play straight through, but Moon chose to drop the snare every few bars:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Going Mobile\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RBONqchemkc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Listen to how Moon eliminates the cymbals &#8211; save for a single china hit once per bar &#8211; in &#8220;New Song&#8221;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"New Song\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JcR1W9zCjCM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/app\/uploads\/2023\/10\/qt-the-genius-of-keith-moon-16-1695720556.svg\" alt=\"new song by the who - drum notation\" class=\"wp-image-48756\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4;width:841px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;New Song&#8221; by The Who<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Sister Disco&#8221; also features a tom groove with a single hit on the china in every bar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/app\/uploads\/2023\/10\/qt-the-genius-of-keith-moon-17-1695720753.svg\" alt=\"sister disco by the who - drum notation\" class=\"wp-image-48755\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3.1578947368421053;width:839px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Sister Disco&#8221; by The Who<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Sister Disco\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pTTY6Z51mO0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A true &#8220;drummer&#8217;s drummer&#8221;, Keith Moon knew how to cleverly add a ton of drums into his parts. He double-tracked his drums in &#8220;I Can See For Miles&#8221;, which means he recorded the drum part twice and layered them to get a fuller sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Who - I Can See For Miles\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Q0iqg2UanEc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Out In The Street&#8221; and &#8220;Glittering Girl&#8221; feature busier grooves that most drummers would consider drum fills, but it was standard fare for Keith Moon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Out In The Street (Stereo Version)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mUxL__xylvs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One of his band&#8217;s most famous songs, &#8220;Pinball Wizard&#8221;, became a massive hit with a ton of radio play &#8211; even without a standard rock beat!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Who - Pinball Wizard (Lyric Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hHc7bR6y06M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-leading-from-the-drums\">4. Leading from the drums<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Keith Moon wasn&#8217;t &#8220;drummy&#8221; for the sake of being &#8220;drummy&#8221; &#8211; he accented and accompanied the music expressively, much like a jazz or orchestral drummer. Pete Townshend once said, &#8220;Keith decorated as he played&#8221;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Max Weinberg (Bruce Springsteen&#8217;s drummer) says, &#8220;He was as influential in the sixties as Gene Krupa was in the thirties&#8221; and &#8220;in my view, was the lead instrument in The Who.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Listen to &#8220;Won&#8217;t Get Fooled Again&#8221; &#8211; another hit that sacrificed standard drum beats for copious shots and fills. It&#8217;s truly a song for drummers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Who - Won&#039;t Get Fooled Again (Shepperton Studios \/ 1978)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UDfAdHBtK_Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Moon didn&#8217;t overplay for the sake of it. If you pay close enough attention, he was almost always following a vocal part or a detail played by another instrument &#8211; like in &#8220;Behind Blue Eyes&#8221;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Who - Behind Blue Eyes (Lyric Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KmbCOMM8peo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/app\/uploads\/2023\/10\/qt-the-genius-of-keith-moon-07-1695718620.svg\" alt=\"behind blue eyes by the who - drum notation\" class=\"wp-image-48754\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.6666666666666667;width:839px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Behind Blue Eyes&#8221; by The Who<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also hear his fills and embellishments followed the vocal parts in &#8220;My Wife&#8221; and &#8220;The Real Me&#8221;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His crazy fills in &#8220;Cut My Hair&#8221; pull back to a casual rock beat, making the chorus that much more impactful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Cut My Hair\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qKB-yTZngRY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/app\/uploads\/2023\/10\/qt-the-genius-of-keith-moon-09-1695718786.svg\" alt=\"cut my hair by the who - drum notation\" class=\"wp-image-48753\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.66;width:840px;height:auto\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Cut My Hair&#8221; by The Who<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-theatrics-and-lunacy\">5. Theatrics and lunacy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Without his over the top showmanship, Keith Moon&#8217;s genius might have gone under the radar. But with energy out the wazoo &#8211; much like his idol Gene Krupa &#8211; he was impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d see a big band with a double bass drum setup, twirling the sticks, all the theatrics. They&#8217;re the people I really dug growing up.&#8221;<\/p>\n<cite>Keith Moon<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>With stick tricks and theatrics pulled from the book of Krupa and his own brand of zany facial expressions, Moon dominated the stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can feel his raw energy and passion in this promo video for &#8220;Who Are You&#8221;, the title track from their 1978 album:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Who - Who Are You (Promo Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PNbBDrceCy8?start=57&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can see how his insanity translated on and off the stage in this trailer for The Who&#8217;s 1979&#8217;s rockumentary, <em>The Kids Are Alright<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Kids Are Alright trailer - The Who, Ringo Starr\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sTpyocmlzcM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Moon&#8217;s chaotic energy helped The Who shine as a live band. You can hear it in live recordings of &#8220;Summertime Blues&#8221; and &#8220;Heaven And Hell&#8221;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Who - Heaven And Hell - 7\/7\/1970 - Tanglewood (Official)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VeYi4FttcpQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As if that wasn&#8217;t enough, here&#8217;s some classic footage of Moon destroying his drum kit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Who - Keith Moon destroys his drum kit (Opera House, Illinois, USA 10th March 1968)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9X-LWzFmZnA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Moon wrote the track &#8220;Bell Boy&#8221; where he gets extra silly and puts on a Cockney accent while performing lead vocals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Who - Bell Boy\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/A8qh-Luegss?start=223&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t mind if we drop a few more examples of his &#8220;Moon the Loon&#8221; persona. Here&#8217;s Keith Moon destroying a hotel room:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Keith Moon Trashes Hotel Room\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HC5yRjTHKl0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And here&#8217;s a clip of The Who&#8217;s 1967 performance where Moon put explosives in his drums. It went off like a bomb and interrupted the transmission, giving Townshend permanent hearing loss in one ear and resulting in a cymbal injuring Moon&#8217;s arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Keith Moon (The Who) Explosive Drumming, 1967\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-bgJC4YSNF4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter how you slice it, Keith Moon was one of the most unique and celebrated drummers in rock history. His unpredictable and chaotic approach to drumming wasn&#8217;t just about hitting things; it was full-blown performance art. Whether he was smashing drum kits or pranking people, or taking artistic liberties in his writing, there was only one Keith Moon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He proved that in the world of rock, sometimes it&#8217;s the drummers who steal the show.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Keith Moon was one of the most unique drummers of all time. Here&#8217;s why &#8220;Moon The Loon&#8221; was a genius.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":49725,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4019],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drummers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48533","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48533"}],"version-history":[{"count":84,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48533\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49730,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48533\/revisions\/49730"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}