A new biography on rock drummer Keith Moon compiled by Ian Snowball is set to be released on June 13.
The name of the book, Keith Moon: There Is No Substitute, pays homage to Moon’s unique role in the rock band The Who by referencing one of their popular songs “Substitute.” Moon is arguably one of the greatest rock drummers of all time.
As an early rocker Moon didn’t just help define the rock genre, but also the stereotypical rock and roll lifestyle. Moon’s crazy antics both on and off stage earned him the nickname Moon the Loon. Ultimately his sex, drugs, and rock and roll lifestyle lead him to an early grave, overdosing on September 7, 1978. Moon’s death came less than a month after the release of one of the Who’s most popular album’s Who Are You.
The new biography includes an introduction by another rock and roll great, and Moon’s band mate, Pete Townshend. Townsend who, played lead guitar and wrote most of The Who’s songs, was not only Moon’s bandmate, but also a close personal friend. The introduction is sure to be interesting and heartfelt.
Townshend released an autobiography back in 2012 called Who Am I: A Memoir, which was well received by critics.
Authorization for the book was given to Ian Snowball by Keith Moon’s estate, as well as from moon’s daughter Amanda de Wolf.
Keith Moon: There Is No Substitute will include interviews with a number of rock and roll greats some of which include the recently deceased bassist for the band Cream Jack Bruce, Kinks drummer Mickey Avory, and Carl Palmer from the band Emerson Lake and Palmer.
This article appears in Jun 2-8, 2016.
“Keith Moon: There is no Substitute”
Damn right. This book couldn’t have a more apt title.
It might snow today. Me and AZ/DC have found a common ground. Moon was one of the very best. I remember (vaguely) seeing him at Woodstock. The man could play !! I disagree with the statement that he was arguably one of the best rock drummers ever. No argument about it. He was !!
I hope it snows today. I’m already tired of this 100 degree and above weather.
It’s good to know that you have great taste in music and I envy you for the Woodstock thing.
I like the fact that we can be civil. DC
Same here. The bickering bullshit and name calling was starting to get old. I’m sure we’ll continue to disagree, but we can do it like gentlemen. And yeah, Woodstock was beyond unbelievable. From what I can remember, that is.
Crazy Wop
How did that old cliche go? Something about “If you remember the ’60s, you weren’t really there”. I’m sure that “the ’60s” could be replaced with “Woodstock” and anyone who was there wouldn’t disagree.
I just hope that you got the chance to see Hendrix and actually remember that. It would be a shame if not. At least you still have that vague memory of The Who and that rules!
I remember people talking about Woodstock how they remember this and that and wasn’t so and so great. And on and on. I would tell them either that either they’re full of it or just didn’t have a good time. The 3 days had come and gone and people were bailing out in hordes. I told my friends we should hang another day. I’d rather lay on a blanket than sit in miles of traffic. Glad we did. Jimi and Co. came out while the stage was pretty much in tact. He started messing with his guitar and the next thing you know The Star Spangled banner followed up by Purple Haze became embedded in our brains. I can still close my eyes and picture it. 4 months later was even better. New Years Eve, 1969 at the Fillmore East Jimi introduces the Band of Gypsys. Guess who was there ? I didn’t land til Valentines Day !!! If you look closely my picture ( if you don’t want to I can understand!!) That’s Jimi’s headstone up in Seattle. Glad your a fan. I always say that if God wanted to take guitar lessons, he go to Jimi.
Fucking awesome story! Hendrix at Woodstock and Fillmore East for the infamous New Year’s Eve/Day shows. I’m NOT worthy.
Never woulda guessed that was Jimi’s headstone; the resolution on my side of things really stinks. I zoomed in on it and I still can’t tell, because of that I’m glad that you informed me.
I gotta whole new respect for you 13.
I’ve never been able to figure out who my favourite musicians are outside of drummers or guitarists, but I find it uncanny that we share the same ones in those categories.
Long live rock n roll!
Oh wow. I used the word “infamous” in my last post. I really should have used famous because I meant no ill will towards these performances. Sorry for my dumbassery.
Jack Bruce. Cream. Bass. If anyone doubts that listen to the break in Crossroads. Made me a believer.
Funny that you say that, because I always imagined the ultimate supergroup, when all were alive of course, would have involved Robert Plant, Keith Moon, Jimi, Keith Emerson and Jack Bruce. It’s almost as if you’re inside my head. Get out! It’s only a matter of time before you come across some scary and perverted shit.
Now, that’s a line up I could get into. Lots of times those super groups have an extra guitarist. Add Jimmy Paige to the mix ( what the Hell, we already have Plant !) Picture Paige with his double neck 12/6 string guitar on the same stage with Jimi and his upsidedown, left handed Fender. I’d never want to leave. I was at the song remains the same show at Madison Square Garden . Those guys were no slouches and put on a show for the ages.
Did you notice that despite the fact you and I shook hands and started to exchange some interesting thoughts on rock, I still got a dislike. Some people don’t even read what I said. They just see my picture and pow. It ain’t easy being me in Weekly world !!
Jimmy Page! Good choice. I wouldn’t wanna leave either.
Haters gonna hate. Like you mentioned, some people are gonna hit dislike no matter what. You could recount a time when you saved a boatload of nuns and children from a kraken by slaying it and people will give you grief for “killing an endangered (I know they’re mythical. Leave me alone, I’m having fun!) species”. It doesn’t matter what you say or how civil you’re being, your name and your picture will get you dislikes.
Heck, someone will probably dislike this comment because I pointed that out.
Some time ago I tried an experiment. I simply said that Mother Superior was a wonderful, saintly woman and got 4 dislikes !! I don’t mind, I ask for it. You were right, you did get one.
We need to add a female vocalist to complete our band. Janis would be the logical choice. Saw her down in Florida. Outstanding. However, my choice would be Gracie Slick. I loved that woman with a passion. I used to say that I would get up at 2 in the morning in the middle of a blizzard and crawl through a mile of broken beer bottles just to see…BLAH BLAH BLAH. You fill in the blanks.
Entwistle was the best bass player of all time, no offense to Jack Bruce. Moon and Bonham neck and neck, but as the title suggests, no one can truly play like Moon (Zack not even close) while many drummers have successfully covered Zeppelin and Bonham’s style. Carl Palmer continues to be a beast on drums with his ELP Legacy tours, has more of a Buddy Rich/Gene Krupa makeup as well as a rock edge! I write this on the 40th Anniversary of losing Moon the Loon, a day that I recall crying at 16 years old and the biggest Who Fan! I now sing lead vocals for Bargain-The Who Tribute and am grateful to carry on the legacy of the strongest Live act in history. Interesting I saw them Live at 12 years old in 1974 and Carl Palmer’s first live concert, at 14, was also….The Who!
Roger DeBonis