Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend

While many rock-star biographies (and autobiographies) are relatively uninteresting when describing the subject's childhood and early days, this beautifully written book provides an amazingly vivid picture of the emerging British music scene of the early-1960s onward. The authenticity is remarkable, all the more so because Moon was no longer alive when Fletcher started writing. The later years of The Who have been equally well documented elsewhere, but so far as I know, Fletcher has no competition when he describes the cheesy little clubs and function rooms above pubs that gave birth to musicians who became world famous. I was there during that period, and Fletcher made me feel I was reliving it in every detail.

Have read this quite long biography twice. First, when it originally came out in hardcover. Bought it straight away, and enjoyed it thoroughly. And then more recently, something bought Keith Moon to mind and gave this highly detailed bio another go.Yeah, everyone remembers Keith Moon as the original "Rock and Roll Animal." Was there ever a hotel room that he stayed in that didn't wind up in SHAMBLES? On and off the road, Keith drank from the minute he woke up and popped a myriad of pills to go with it. While having the face of an angel, he treated his two wives abominably. Keith Moon was certainly a complicated character with serious mental issues and inner pain that he preferred not to deal with head on.By the time he was a mere 32, Moon looked like an old 55. Never a Who fan myself but was always drawn to the crazy man behind the huge drum kit. Found this a rollicking read and was touched by the man who never wanted the applause to end. To feel good about himself he needed that, and without it he was a shell. After his demise, The Who went on further tours with another drummer, Kenney Jones, with limited success. Try as they might, the band was never the same.

This is a clearly-written, engaging biography of a fascinating character. The author did an excellent job letting Keith and the people who knew him speak in their own words, while offering his opinions from time to time with appropriate caveats, and his knowledge/research are encyclopaedic. Keith is such an interesting character -- talented, energetic, kind, generous -- and mean, out-of-control, and self-destructive. A wild mix and a reminder that we are all wild mixes, to varying degrees, of sane and crazy

I saw The Who in the late 60's. My recollection of it isn't very clear. I like The Who - in particular Live At Leeds , but my interest in them comes and goes. I consider The Beatles to have been much more influential on the direction of music and my musical development as well. However, because The Who were not the Beatles they didn't get as much press coverage and therefore I didn't know much about them, except from their music.I'll add that I am a drummer so I was particularly interested in some insights into how Keith Moon developed his style. Moon:The Life and Death of a Rock Legend didn't teach me how to play like Keith Moon, but it did take me back into the 60's again.The author researched his material thoroughly and succeeded in conveying how Keith came to be the man and drummer that he was. The story of The Who and their high energy impact on rock and roll, maximum R&B if you will, is well described. The story is well paced and manages to include plenty of anecdotes and first person accounts of Moon's outrageous behavior. Some accounts made me laugh at Keith's audacity while others just saddened me because he couldn't deal with his own inner conflicts. Some nice photos are included as well and they helped me recall my own images of The Who. If you dig The Who or Keith Moon you'll get a kick out of the book. On the other hand, you may just be bummed out by the waste of his life because of his excesses.

As a reader who wanted to know a lot about this drummer extraordinaire, this book satisfied me by far.An honest view of Moon. Entertaining, and a good tool to understand his persona and the Who's insight mechanics.A must for anyone interested in The Who band.F.D.

Ive become fascinated with Keith, and am voraciously reading any and all about him. I feel he suffered the same illness my own brother had. The end of Keiths life (spoiler here ) seems...odd. Very, very odd and Im still full of questions.

Great bio about Keith Moon. Moon The Loon.. This has to be the most complete bio on the drummer of The Who.. From his birth thru his sad death. Almost 500 pages. A boy who never grew up. Keith was an incredibly talented & driven drummer. Like John Bonham of Led Zeppelin were 2 of the best to ever pick up the sticks Unfortunately also an alcoholic who just couldn't live without the booze.

Very well written and researched book.Did not know that he had lived next to Steve McQueen!

Good service and book exactly as described.

great

great book dispels the myths associated with him and goes in depth about keith , the who and the bands relationships with each other

The story is to much round the houses

The book seems well researched and credible. The writing is good and it is an easy read. If you are a fan, it's something you might want to consider.