On This Day

Keith Moon

Musician

Born: Died: English

Keith John Moon (23 August 1946 – 7 September 1978) was an English musician who was the drummer for the rock band the Who. Regarded as one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock music, he was noted for his unique style of playing and his eccentric, self-destructive behaviour.

Moon grew up in Wembley and took up the drums during the early 1960s. After playing with a local band, the Beachcombers, he joined the Who in 1964 before they recorded their first single. Moon was recognised for his drumming style, which emphasised tom-toms, cymbal crashes, and drum fills. Throughout his tenure with the Who, his drum kit steadily grew in size, and (along with Ginger Baker) he has been credited as one of the earliest rock drummers to regularly employ double bass drums in his setup. Moon occasionally collaborated with other musicians and later appeared in films, but considered playing in the Who his primary occupation, and remained a member of the band until his death. In addition to his talent as a drummer, Moon developed a reputation for smashing his kit on stage and destroying hotel rooms on tour.

Notable For

English rock drummer

Keith Moon's Historical Timeline

  1. Keith Moon is born

    Keith Moon, English musician, known for english rock drummer, was born on 1946-08-23.

  2. Kenney Jones becomes The Who's new drummer, replacing the deceased Keith Moon

    Kenney Jones becomes The Who's new drummer, replacing the deceased Keith Moon

Associated Historical Events

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Keith Moon born?
Keith Moon was born on 1946-08-23 (English).
What is Keith Moon known for?
English rock drummer
What historical events involved Keith Moon?
Keith Moon was involved in 2 recorded historical events, including Keith Moon is born, Kenney Jones becomes The Who's new drummer, replacing the deceased Keith Moon.
When did Keith Moon die?
Keith Moon died on 1978-01-01.

Related Years