Divine Inspiration: Keith Moon’s favourite drummers of all time
When Keith Moon, the iconic drummer of The Who, tragically passed away in 1978, he left behind an unfillable void both in his band and in the broader musical landscape. Moon was much more than just a drummer; he was a larger-than-life figure whose wild antics became the stuff of legend. Yet, beneath the endless rock star shenanigans that defined his public persona, Moon was deeply dedicated to his craft. His unique, frenetic drumming style and boundless energy on stage made him one of the most influential drummers in rock history, and his loss was felt deeply by fans and fellow musicians alike.
Moon was truly one of a kind, embodying both the best and the worst of rock ‘n’ roll excess. Even decades after his death, he remains a figure that the world of rock music deeply misses. His wild, animalistic energy was as much a part of his identity as his drumming, often leading to chaotic, unpredictable behaviour. Moon wasn’t known for being the most agreeable person in the room, nor was he one to hand out compliments easily. However, there were a select few drummers who managed to earn his respect and admiration, escaping his usual wrath. These rare exceptions highlight just how discerning Moon could be when it came to recognizing true talent behind the drum kit.
Moon established a distinctive reputation among the drumming fraternity. Although his talent is admired by almost everyone who has ever picked up a pair of drumsticks, and finding any notable detractors is a difficult task, few musicians have been brave enough to attempt to replicate his unique style.
The late drummer played the instrument in a way nobody had witnessed before his emergence. While each member of The Who brought a special element to the mix, which compounded to make them an electrifying band, Moon was the most vital component.
Drumming was an obsession, but as can be expected from his unorthodox technique, Moon didn’t spend his childhood daydreaming about emulating his heroes. Mostly, he felt indifferent towards others who played the instrument, and preferred to spend his time playing rather than listening to others.
Not constrained by rigorous pattern or timing, Moon always let the music run through him and expressed himself as succinctly as possible. Or, as Moon himself put it, he was “the world’s best Keith-Moon-type drummer” and couldn’t be confined into any other category.
Depending on how one approaches art, Moon was either lacking in technical acumen or possessed a skill that was impossible to teach. Regardless, the results that he generated were undeniable. Moon played with a ferocity that set him apart from percussionists from a jazz-orientated background, like Charlie Watts from The Rolling Stones. The Who drummer proved there was another way of doing things and played the instrument in the same madcap way that he attacked life. Moon was unconventional on stage and even more atypical once he stepped off it.
When Rolling Stone tried to understand the man behind the abundance of rock ‘n’ roll clichéd adventures in 1971, Moon was in a playful rather than reflective mood. However, one grain of knowledge mined from the conversation was a discovery regarding his all-time favourite drummer.
At first, the interview got underway with a rocky start after Moon was asked why he became a drummer and if a significant person inspired him to take up the instrument. “Jesus Christ, I think I got a free drum kit in a packet of corn flakes,” The Who man jokingly responded before adding, “But no, drum solos are fucking boring. Any kind of solo is. It detracts from the group identity.”
With Moon on form like that, it’s a mystery how the interviewer managed to gauge him enough to provoke a profound answer about the drummers he admires. Thankfully, he eventually loosened up and provided a rare insight into his authentic self.
“Not many,” Moon characteristically responded before listing off names. “D.J. Fontana [Elvis’ original drummer] is one. Let’s see, the drummers I respect are Eric Delaney and Bob Henrit [from Argent] and I got a ‘huge list, really, and all for different reasons. Technically, Joe Morello is perfect. I don’t really have a favourite drummer. I have favourite drum pieces and that’s it. I would never put on an LP of a drummer and say everything he did I love because that’s not true.”
While Moon said, “I don’t really have a favourite drummer,” his decision to describe Morello as “perfect” shows the high esteem in which he held him and that he was an inspiration.
Unlike Moon, Morello isn’t a household name, but the jazz extraordinaire was widely respected for his faultless technique. Over the course of his career, he contributed to over 120 albums, notably collaborating extensively with Dave Brubeck and Gary Burton. His name is also cemented into history books thanks to Paul Desmond’s composition, ‘Take Five’. Desmond wrote ‘Take Five’ with the intention of showcasing the full scale of Morello’s talent, and as a result, it became the first jazz track to sell over a millennium copies.
Morello’s style may have completely differed from Moon’s, but The Who drummer couldn’t help but appreciate his brilliance. Furthermore, despite Moon’s blasé attitude towards other drummers, his decision to praise Morello showed he was more studious towards the instrument than he let on.
