The stereotype says the drummers are always the craziest in the band. Even though that might be a blanket statement, a vast amount of evidence proves it true. John Bonham and Ginger Baker are just a few of the drummers who have claimed the title of “craziest band member” due to their antics. However, there is one iconic drummer who seems to take the cake—The Who’s one and only, Keith Moon.
Due to his career with The Who, Moon is considered to be one of the greatest drummers of all time. Known for his zig-zag style and improvisational fills, Moon’s style influences drummers to this day. Though, outside of music, Moon was known to be quite the character. Particularly on his 21st birthday, when a dash from the cops led to a sunken limousine.
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From Food Fight to Fiasco
It was Moon’s 21st birthday, The Who were young, and their status as an international rock powerhouse had yet to be solidified. Still, they were rockstars, and young rockstars at that. With that in mind, two things that seemingly don’t mix well are fame and age. And this night is a representation of that precarious combination.
According to different sources, The Who had just finished a show in Flint, Michigan. They then went back to the hotel and celebrated Moon’s birthday. Two cakes were delivered, a food fight broke out, cops arrived, and Moon slipped out the back to avoid punitive action. It was from there that Moon hijacked a Lincoln Continental and drove it straight into the hotel pool.
Moon’s Eye Witnesses
Given it was Moon’s birthday, there were a good amount of people who could testify to the evening. In an article by LouderSound, the publication gathered sources ranging from Moon himself, the band Herman’s Hermits, and The Who’s road manager, Tom Wright.
Moon stated, “So there I was, sitting in the driver’s seat of a Lincoln Continental, underwater. And the water was pouring in – coming in through the bloody pedal holes in the floorboard, squirting in through the windows,” per LouderSound.
Contrary to Moon’s story, Herman’s Hermits drummer, Barry Whitman said, “There was no car in the pool, only all the pool tables and chairs, and Keith never came back dripping water.”
Classic! Like most stories of this nature, it’s hard to decipher whether they’re true or tall tales. Nonetheless, they’re entertaining, and it seems no cares if they are perpetuated. All in all, it just adds to the fabled nature of rock ‘n’ roll and gives fans an entertaining snippet of the rambunctious Keith Moon.
Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images
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