Rating:  Summary: A Real Page Burner. Review: Having grown up in the Sixties in L.A., I grew up with The Who and the stories of Keith Moon`s extraordinary drumming talent and insane lifestyle. This is the kind of book I like - I couldn`t put it down. Fletcher treats his subject fairly; neithor adoring him or exaggerating or sensationalizing. Fetcher paints a vivid picture of life in a rock band and the British music scene at that time - a fascinating array of characters for any reader. Upon finishing this book, I could reexamine my own values and see that fame, money and big time "success" are all hollow without genuine love and friendship in a person`s life. Unfortunately, Keith Moon was one of the most pathetic, lonely, insecure, irresponsible, marginal people to ever walk this planet.
Rating:  Summary: The best Keith Moon type book since Full Moon, dear boys! Review: I approached the reading of this book with great trepidation. After all, I didn't want to pay in excess of twenty bucks for an Albert Goldman style character assassination of a man who is not around to defend himself. I am, however, happy to say that Tony Fletcher's book surprised me. He is very fair with his subject, although its obvious that as a fellow Who fan, he loves Moonie as much as the rest of us (I presume). Fletcher does not make Keith Moon out to be the world's most foremost saint, or its most diabolical sinner, just Moonie. This book basically tells you everything about Keith that you ever wanted to know, and some things you didn't, so be prepared to run the gamut of emotions. I laughed hysterically at some bits, cried at others. In the end, any Who fan worth the parka on his or her back should read this book, and trash their room in the name of the late, great Keith Moon, and his extremely competent biographer, Tony Fletcher. I certainly did.
Rating:  Summary: What Review: I first saw The Who in 1967, when they opened for Herman's Hermits at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ. The crowd that night was split along lines of gender. Girls came to see the Headliners (mainly Herman because the Hermits were nothing to write home about, while guys came to see The Who.That aspect of The Who is cited by Tony Fletcher as another of their unique characteristics. It was a guy's band. A band for those slightly on the outside, loner males. And, Keith was emblamatic of that. We all knew of someone like Keith Moon. He was the kid our parents warned us about! Hyper-active, insolent, perpetularly seeking to cause trouble, and never wanting. Did that make Keith the Peter Pan of rock 'n' roll? Yep. Fletcher portrays Moon's life as it unfolded. Music with The Who being simply another - though the most important - component of that life. In many ways, it comes across as a Greek tragedy. It's pre-ordained - not because of what we know happened, but because of what he was - that Moon would burn out, not fade away (kudos to Neil Young). The degree of his incandescence foresaw this. We see Keith age, though never mature. Concurrently, his lifestyle is consuming his body and soul. The end comes sadly and quietly, as the struggling man-child's body finely surrenders to the excess. At the same time, we get the best view ever of why rock exploded in England during the 1960's. Keith's life, and that of all those involved in the music scene, are presneted in a context much like Jon Savage's portrayal of the punl birth in 'England's Dreaming'. The swirl of cultural conflict is laid out within a cogent basis of transition. Factors which further contributed to Keith Moon. Does Fletcher capture Keith's essence. Probably, though I will fault him for not trying to understand his actions. I guess - romantic that I am - I wanted more than, "oh, it's Keith," as reason for it all. Maybe, Fletcher loved him too much. But, as a story of Keith Moon, it's likely the best we will ever get.
Rating:  Summary: What Review: I first saw The Who in 1967, when they opened for Herman's Hermits at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ. The crowd that night was split along lines of gender. Girls came to see the Headliners (mainly Herman because the Hermits were nothing to write home about, while guys came to see The Who. That aspect of The Who is cited by Tony Fletcher as another of their unique characteristics. It was a guy's band. A band for those slightly on the outside, loner males. And, Keith was emblamatic of that. We all knew of someone like Keith Moon. He was the kid our parents warned us about! Hyper-active, insolent, perpetularly seeking to cause trouble, and never wanting. Did that make Keith the Peter Pan of rock 'n' roll? Yep. Fletcher portrays Moon's life as it unfolded. Music with The Who being simply another - though the most important - component of that life. In many ways, it comes across as a Greek tragedy. It's pre-ordained - not because of what we know happened, but because of what he was - that Moon would burn out, not fade away (kudos to Neil Young). The degree of his incandescence foresaw this. We see Keith age, though never mature. Concurrently, his lifestyle is consuming his body and soul. The end comes sadly and quietly, as the struggling man-child's body finely surrenders to the excess. At the same time, we get the best view ever of why rock exploded in England during the 1960's. Keith's life, and that of all those involved in the music scene, are presneted in a context much like Jon Savage's portrayal of the punl birth in 'England's Dreaming'. The swirl of cultural conflict is laid out within a cogent basis of transition. Factors which further contributed to Keith Moon. Does Fletcher capture Keith's essence. Probably, though I will fault him for not trying to understand his actions. I guess - romantic that I am - I wanted more than, "oh, it's Keith," as reason for it all. Maybe, Fletcher loved him too much. But, as a story of Keith Moon, it's likely the best we will ever get.
Rating:  Summary: superb insight into moon Review: I found this book a lengthy but rewarding read. Wonderfully anecdotal yet surprisingly factual, dispelling many myths. I felt the book suffered a little from borderline, repetitious "idol-worshiping" by the author, but the depth of research makes up for any excess passion displayed by the author. Tony Fletcher is commended for the sympathetic way he dealt with the ongoing torment bestowed on Keith Moon's long suffering female partners, never glorifying domestic violence. Well worth the price, whatever it may be.
Rating:  Summary: A startling and touching insight to the real Keith Moon Review: I thoroughly adored this book. Fletcher lays to rest all the myths about Moon, describing how and why the real events took place. He seems to be pleading Keith's case as he gives explanations for some of his trespasses, but it is also a fascinating insight into Moon's life. He takes us inside Keith's heart and soul, highlighting his good points and giving us an honest representation of the bad. By the end, I was in tears. Fletcher is, without a doubt, the best biographer of the decade.
Rating:  Summary: MOON an outstanding biography Review: I thought the book MOON, by Tony Fletcher, was very impressive. It is a biography of Keith Moon who is the drummer from the "WHO." In the story, the writer shows Keith's development from childhood to manhood. It takes you on an incredible journey threw the often false and tragic life of Keith Moon. If you love rock, if you love drumming, or you want to read and excellent biography, you are the perfect person to read this book. From Keith's birth to his death, you will experience many interesting aspects of his life. There is not only one climax in this story, but many of them, which make the life of Keith Moon so interesting. All in all, I think this is an intriguing biography that every music lover should read.
Rating:  Summary: MOON an outstanding biography Review: I thought the book MOON, by Tony Fletcher, was very impressive. It is a biography of Keith Moon who is the drummer from the "WHO." In the story, the writer shows Keith's development from childhood to manhood. It takes you on an incredible journey threw the often false and tragic life of Keith Moon. If you love rock, if you love drumming, or you want to read and excellent biography, you are the perfect person to read this book. From Keith's birth to his death, you will experience many interesting aspects of his life. There is not only one climax in this story, but many of them, which make the life of Keith Moon so interesting. All in all, I think this is an intriguing biography that every music lover should read.
Rating:  Summary: Not Just Moon the Loon Review: I was admittedly skeptical about a bio about a drummer incapable of keeping time to music and whose life's ambition was apparently to be an alcoholic/narcotic omniverore and sociopath. However, this bio is anything but one dimensional and it is vivid description of the London scene and debunks many of the myths about many of his alleged stunts. It is a rich narrative about the British Invasion and the characters around Keith Moon. There are many laugh out loud moments about Moon's practical jokes. However, where there are moments when Keith's life is decidedly one dimensional, Fletcher provides a detailed portrait
Rating:  Summary: A SPLENDID BOOK! Review: I went into this book knowing Keith for his phenominal musicianship, and of course, all the "Moon the loon" stories-and I came away a full-fledged fan.Tony Fletcher does an outstanding job deconstructing all the myths and clearing up the inconsistancies. Keith emerges as a flawed but tremendously likable man\child.It's a considerably long book, yet I've read it twice. My only regret is never getting to meet keith. Break out the brandy and ginger and read this book!
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