Keith John Moon (23 August 1946[1] ?7 September 1978) was an English drummer of the rock group The Who. He gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style and notoriety for his eccentric and often self destructive behavior, earning him the nickname "Moon the Loon." Moon joined The Who in 1964. He played on all albums and singles from their debut, 1965's "I Can't Explain", to 1978's Who Are You, which was released three weeks before his death.

Moon was known for dramatic, suspenseful drumming--often eschewing basic back beats for a fluid, busy technique focused on fast, cascading rolls across the toms, ambidextrous double bass drum work and wild cymbal crashes and washes. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest rock and roll drummers of all time.[2]

At age 12, Moon joined his local Sea Cadet Corps band as a bugle player but traded his position to be a drummer.[4] Moon started drums at 14 after his father bought him a kit. He received lessons from one of the loudest drummers at the time, Carlo Little, paying him 10 shillings a lesson.[5] During this time he joined his first serious band "The Escorts".[3] He later spent 18 months as the drummer for "The Beachcombers", a London cover band notable for renditions of songs by Cliff Richard.[6]

Moon initially played in the drumming style of American surf rock and jazz, with a mix of R&B, utilising grooves and fills of those genres, particularly Hal Blaine of Wrecking Crew. However, he played faster and louder, with more persistence and authority. Moon's favourite musicians were jazz greats Gene Krupa, who inspired him to be the showman he was, and Sonny Rollins.