poll results tough but fair
― butt-rock miyagi (rogermexico.), Thursday, 18 December 2008 00:06 (fifteen years ago) link
with that kind of turn out it's more or less scientifically proven
― sonderangerbot, Thursday, 18 December 2008 00:11 (fifteen years ago) link
yesss, ilx had me worried there
(high turnout!)
xp
― Tracy Michael Jordan Catalano (Jordan), Thursday, 18 December 2008 00:11 (fifteen years ago) link
by this point I assume that whoever's getting the most vocal praise on a poll thread is going to lose
― Shakey Mo Collier, Thursday, 18 December 2008 00:12 (fifteen years ago) link
(now we should do page vs hendrix)
― sonderangerbot, Thursday, 18 December 2008 00:13 (fifteen years ago) link
There's really only one proper response (at 5:12):
It's not that John Bonham wasn't technically capable of doing something like that; but brilliant as he was, he was a Rock Drummer, and he reveled in the conventions of drumming. Keith Moon was a lead percussionist, and the vast vocabulary he created is still sitting there, largely untouched, waiting for the truly adventurous to dig in and expand on it.
― Matt Weston, Thursday, 18 December 2008 00:48 (fifteen years ago) link
so Bonham is a better drummer and Moon the better "lead percussionist". I voted Bonham.
― expletive for lady parts (Granny Dainger), Thursday, 18 December 2008 02:05 (fifteen years ago) link
Matt, that version of Bargain -- and specifically the Moonburst at 5:12 -- is EXACTLY what I was thinking of when I mentioned the clumsy Bird/Night In Tunisia analogy upthread.
― Jake Brown, Thursday, 18 December 2008 02:38 (fifteen years ago) link
i like zeppelin more than the who usually (though i'll take the 10 or so best who songs over the best zep songs) but moon's drumming is my favorite part of almost every who song ever. the drum rolls in "i can see for miles" alone are mindblowing.
― J.D., Thursday, 18 December 2008 03:28 (fifteen years ago) link
disappointing results imo
― K DEF FROM REAL LIVE (deej), Thursday, 18 December 2008 07:31 (fifteen years ago) link
Page vs Clapton vs Beck would be better.
― Billy Dods, Thursday, 18 December 2008 08:48 (fifteen years ago) link
but there's no point doing that one
― sonderangerbot, Thursday, 18 December 2008 08:53 (fifteen years ago) link
I tend to notice Bonham's drumming in a way I never noticed Moon's, though I do love the Who. I agree Bonham comes off sometimes as "behind the beat" but then he also "owns the beat" so the slight "behind-ness" of it is what actually rules in the end (what in god's name Libcrypt was on about earlier in this thread re: "unwinding the clock", though, I don't know). I'm intrigued that people here seem to think Moon was a genius, but then, not everyone's musical brains are wired the same and I'll confess there's only been a few drummers that I have especially noticed at the expense of all the other instruments in a given band. Jaki Leibezeit from Can is one, Loz Colbert from Ride is another (especially on "Vapour Trail"), Richard Thomas from Dif Juz...and most of all, John Bonham. Maybe it's to do with production somewhat, too...bands who have dared let the drums be front and center vs. those who wouldn't. Certainly that is a variable at least, here, however minor.
I love hearing how MAD Keith Moon was, and the crazy look on his face when he played drums in all those Who videos, but Bonham is like the ultimate as a rock drummer, I think.
― Beehive Reptile (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Friday, 19 December 2008 02:08 (fifteen years ago) link
That I don't get. Love him, hate him or think he's worse than Bonzo, Moon seems extremely difficult not to notice.
― Jake Brown, Friday, 19 December 2008 02:13 (fifteen years ago) link
Also WTF is a "lead percussionist" in a band that didn't have any other...percussionists? You want the two-drummered version of The Fall, mate. Don't get confused.
― Beehive Reptile (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Friday, 19 December 2008 02:15 (fifteen years ago) link
And what the hell was Eddie Van Halen all by himself in all those Van Halen videos?
― james k polk, Friday, 19 December 2008 02:30 (fifteen years ago) link
HAHAHAHAHAHHAI was gonna mention Van Halen for some insane random reason like 20 min. ago!!!
― Beehive Reptile (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Friday, 19 December 2008 02:30 (fifteen years ago) link
how can u listen to the who and NOT notice keith moon exactly
― K DEF FROM REAL LIVE (deej), Friday, 19 December 2008 04:45 (fifteen years ago) link
Must have been listening to "Sunrise"...
― Mark G, Friday, 19 December 2008 10:25 (fifteen years ago) link
Moon's percussion played a lead role, as opposed to the supporting role that percussion/drums normally plays in a group of that format.
― Matt Weston, Friday, 19 December 2008 15:41 (fifteen years ago) link
It's true. I always catch myself humming along to the drums when the Who come on the radio.
― TEENAGE DIALECTICS (libcrypt), Friday, 19 December 2008 15:46 (fifteen years ago) link
bop bop a chinka clunk
― TEENAGE DIALECTICS (libcrypt), Friday, 19 December 2008 15:47 (fifteen years ago) link
That's weird. I tap out Roger's singing with my feet and hands.
― expletive for lady parts (Granny Dainger), Friday, 19 December 2008 15:53 (fifteen years ago) link
Well you see, I think that hits the nail on the head really. I'm such a massive fan of Townshend and what he can do with melody and his voice (when he finally takes the mic from Roger) that though Moon did a fantastic job of drumming (I Can See For Miles comes to mind) it's just NOT the main reason why I listen to the Who at ALL.
― Bat Penatar (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Friday, 19 December 2008 18:59 (fifteen years ago) link
unexpected poll results, given all the moon love in this thread
― redmond, Friday, 19 December 2008 19:03 (fifteen years ago) link
There's really only one proper response (at 5:12):http://www.youtube.com/v/uzeq-tEmQmQ&hl=en
i listened to this and while i can agree that he adds a lot of excitement and character and that the band might not benefit from a drummer who plays less, it's still not something i really want to listen to. it also seems very dated in a way...given how music has gone in the last 30 odd years, bonham's huge groove has aged a lot better.
― Tracy Michael Jordan Catalano (Jordan), Friday, 19 December 2008 19:08 (fifteen years ago) link
One of the great things about The Who is the noninterchangeability of the personnel. They played the way they did with each other because they were inventing it as it happened.
If John Entwistle was keeping the time, it is because that is how they evolved together. Perhaps Moon could have played a more traditional drumming role in that band or another, but I'm glad it wasn't necessary, because I like how the three of them played together, as interdependent and entwined as any trio I've heard.
As useful and great as having a Charlie Watts or Bonham or Stewart Copeland, Ringo, in your band might be, I love The Who because they were a great organic forceful mess.
― james k polk, Saturday, 20 December 2008 08:09 (fifteen years ago) link
"Aged a lot better" is in the eye of the beholder. Both still sound pretty huge today IMHO.
― Jake Brown, Saturday, 20 December 2008 14:38 (fifteen years ago) link
aw I'd been thinking about starting this poll for like a month now
good thing I searched first
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 24 November 2010 21:48 (thirteen years ago) link
I think Moon here, by a big margin.
― Randy Moss' dog's personal chef (Bill Magill), Wednesday, 24 November 2010 21:59 (thirteen years ago) link
agreed, i love bonzo but moon is sui generis
― iago g., Wednesday, 24 November 2010 22:07 (thirteen years ago) link
why can't rock bands/producers/engineers make drums sound this good anymore????
― Mr. Snrub, Thursday, 25 November 2010 02:14 (thirteen years ago) link
seriously!
― the pussy re-upholstery gang (some dude), Thursday, 25 November 2010 02:14 (thirteen years ago) link
there are a couple working who can but you also need a bonham or a moon
― aerosmith: the acid house years (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Thursday, 25 November 2010 02:16 (thirteen years ago) link
otm
― Moka, Thursday, 25 November 2010 03:21 (thirteen years ago) link
bonham's drumming on in thru the out door is amazing as ever, keith's on who are you is not. love them both but i think i dig bonham's a lot more these days where i would have chosen moon easily back in the day
― buzza, Thursday, 25 November 2010 03:39 (thirteen years ago) link
I'd like to make this poll thread a PO10 Bonham / Moon highlights if noone minds.
― Moka, Thursday, 25 November 2010 04:32 (thirteen years ago) link
weirdly, there's an article in the New Yorker this week that discusses this very issue.
― tylerw, Thursday, 25 November 2010 04:37 (thirteen years ago) link
bonham's possibly the better drummer. keith's infinitely more fun, more joyous a drummer.
― human fleshy kids (stevie), Thursday, 25 November 2010 08:13 (thirteen years ago) link
Joe Carducci comments on the James Wood New Yorker article:
He writes, “Sitting behind the drums was like the fantasy of driving (the other great prepubescent ambition)…”, and on Moon drumming: “He seems to be reaching for everything at once.” Wood contrasts Moon to John Bonham profitably (to Glenn Gould less so) but then noting their deaths two years apart, ends, “And then English drumming went quiet.”
Your editor ought to have told you that was a subject worth six pages of the New Yorker: as in, What happened? A good ten years where the UK produces drummers like Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, Mick Avory, Jack Jones, Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell, Moon, Bonham, Bill Ward, Robert Wyatt, Greg Palmer, Bill Bruford, Clive Bunker, John Marshall, Phil Collins, John Weathers, BJ Wilson, Cozy Powell, Ian Paice, Mick Fleetwood, Barrie Barlow, Simon King, dozens more at least… until glitter and punk and media itself turned on music in the hot-house Pop machine that is London.
― Stevie T, Thursday, 25 November 2010 09:03 (thirteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGe19nbMhaY
― specifically, the word talking (Ned Trifle II), Thursday, 25 November 2010 09:37 (thirteen years ago) link
the band was increasingly tamed by the requirements of AOR programmers
"Hey guys, look, our listeners are really demanding more Terry Riley-esque minimalism...honestly, I don't think we can get you on the radio without it."
― Son of Sisyphus of Reaganing (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Thursday, 25 November 2010 09:41 (thirteen years ago) link
Bonham's drumming was technically better. Moon just did his thing, and it somewhat worked in spite of lack of actual formal drumming skills. When it comes to the myth about the typical drummer personality, Moon will always be the king though, and he also played in the better band of the two.
― You're Twistin' My Melody Man! (Geir Hongro), Thursday, 25 November 2010 09:51 (thirteen years ago) link
Take something like "Going Mobile", Moon is going so batshit crazy on the fills on the last part of that song, I just don't see how ANY other drummer could have made it work like that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyOibvBoJKM
― Elvis Telecom, Sunday, 4 August 2013 22:02 (ten years ago) link
Moon sounds like three drummers going full anarchy.
Jeff Beck on hanging out with Keith Moon
― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 10 June 2014 02:39 (nine years ago) link
Also, how did I not notice that Moon rarely uses a hi hat. Ever.
― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 10 June 2014 02:51 (nine years ago) link
http://www.modculture.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/moon.jpg
Lucked out and found this book used for just a couple bucks. Looks pretty fun! Written by Moon's personal assistant?
― ©Oz Quiz© (Adam Bruneau), Monday, 26 January 2015 00:16 (nine years ago) link
hah amazon
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful1.0 out of 5 stars Moon Age Nightmare, March 21, 2013By NoName (Staten Island, NY United States) - See all my reviewsVerified Purchase(What's this?)This review is from: Full Moon: The Amazing Rock and Roll Life of the Late Keith Moon (Paperback)I can't stand books about drunken parties and destroying hotels (how cliche), this book skips Moons great contribution to rock drumming and gets lost in all the Moon antics, skip it unless you want to journey down a drunken path to nowhere.
Why are you reading this book? Do you see the cover?
― ©Oz Quiz© (Adam Bruneau), Monday, 26 January 2015 00:18 (nine years ago) link
Ugh, that book is horrendous. Tony Fletcher's bio is indispensable, but even he doesn't really get to the essence of what made Moon great.
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Monday, 26 January 2015 00:38 (nine years ago) link