Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend

Rating:
Summary: Don't fret Lee, Those girls are just for the roadies.
Review: Thank you Tony for missing me in the crowd.

My pal Moon, above all, was a ever the perfect gent. I have never met anyone with his super human ability to make any everyday event a party. A party with Moon was larger and lasted longer than any I can remember. I honestly tried to have quiet evenings with Moon but despite my best efforts every moment with Moon would somehow become a party.

He would swear that we were going to be good boys but somehow we were always the last men standing. Better men than I were hospitalized, jailed or just passed out trying to keep up with Moon. Those who came under his spell would wind up trying to craft apologies to wives, girlfriends or bosses at 3 in the morning while Moon was instructing his limo driver where the casulties should be dropped off and the address to Moon's next adventure. God I miss him. . .

Tony, I have your book. Give me a couple of weeks and I will file a comment here. . .

lee houskeeper President San Francisco Stories [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: It's That Good
Review: The author supplies a well rounded history of the youngster Moon, and then launches into the highs and lows (and madness)that were the Who and the music scene (with Keith serving as vehicle). I enjoyed reading this book as much as any non-fiction work I've ever read. If I had Keith Moon's drumming skill, I would have made all the same mistakes (given the opportunity).

Rating:
Summary: This "Moon" Casts A Riveting Glow
Review: The Who's notorious drummer Keith Moon helped create the archetypal image of the anarchic rock star, modulating from likable prankster and good-time Charlie to philanderer, wife beater and perpetually zonked bad boy before his death in 1978 from a drug overdose.

In the skilled hands of British-born music journalist Tony Fletcher, the richly anecdotal Moon is a terrific read. Absorbing, too, is the detailed treatment of the social and cultural scene in 1960s and '70s London.

The author treats his subject reverentially, sometimes dismissing Moon's destructive, manipulative and often thuggish behavior -- he broke his wife's nose three times -- in favor of extended passages analyzing his talent, which Fletcher calls "unique yet impenetrable."

Fletcher interviewed over 100 people in researching the book. A slight flaw, the testimony of outspoken bandmates Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, two indispensable voices, is mysteriously missing.

This recount of Moon's rise and fall casts a riveting glow.

Rating:
Summary: An Engrossing, Well-Researched Biography
Review: Think of Tony Fletcher's Moon: The Life And Death Of A Rock Legend as the serious, analytical counterpoint to Dougal Butler's comic, anecdotal Full Moon: The Amazing Rock & Roll Life Of Keith Moon. Butler simply wanted to tell a bunch of funny stories about his former employer; Fletcher covers this ground, too, but primarily wants to make a case for Keith Moon as Great Artist. Partly because of this approach, it's probably the better book.

Keith Moon seems to be suffering from Jimi Hendrix Syndrome these days: that is to say, there seems to be this notion running around that he was merely some sort of drug-crazed lunatic making a lot of racket on his chosen instrument. The truth of the matter is that Keith was a musician of extraordinary intelligence and attentiveness. One of the things I like best about Fletcher is his ability to hear what was going on in Moonie's playing and to explain it in a way that the ordinary reader can understand.

Fletcher's not always the greatest prose stylist, and has a tendency to get a bit fannish and/or maudlin at times, but on the whole he's written a thoughful, engaging biography of this outstanding musician. I hope that both fans and nay-sayers will take the time to check it out.

Rating:
Summary: An Important Book
Review: This biography is pro Keith Moon, and in that sense it is like other rock and roll biographies. But that is its only flaw. It does read like a Who fanzine at times, but there's so much detail, and such a consistently good level of analysis, that this book rises above the average rock and roll bragging forum. I felt that I finally understood, very clearly and very thoroughly, how and why Keith Moon played drums the way he did. And I finally now have enough material to think about in order to sort out the possible reasons for his excesses and finally his demise. The story of his death is clearly and fairly told. The implications for the band and for all those who crossed his path are fascinatingly revealed. And the photos are very evenly presented, showing each crucial stage in the evolution and sad demise of its subject. Finally, this book is absolutely indispensable in understanding the dynamics of the Who as a band.

Everyone interested in the British Invasion, or in the phenomenon of celebrity, or alcohol and drug abuse, should read this book.

Rating:
Summary: the life and death of a rock legend
Review: This book is quite great. it's a big big work made by the author and the whole story is very interesting. I'm French and I don't speak English as well as I speak French, but I can tell you, as soon as I began to read it, I couldn't stop, even with my dictionnary beside me. And I must say Keith seemed to be a very interesting and lovely human being, even if he made mistakes and if he didn't always behave well. This book has been very important to me and I thank the author for that a lot.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Work!
Review: This has to be one of my favorite books ever written, and not just because it's about my favorite drummer in the world. It's just...so well written, and even if you're not a fan of The Who you could read it and come away knowing about a fascinating person. I love this book, and you would too.

Rating:
Summary: The truth about Keith
Review: This is a great read about Moonie. Lots of realism about , what ended up being, a very sad and lonely life. If alcoholics want a lesson in what happens if you don't stop, this is it.

There are no words that descibe Keith's drumming so the book dwells on all the other stuff. If you want to know about his drumming, buy the DVD "Classic Album's-Who's Next" theres a great scene when Roger Daltrey is listening to "Behind Blue Eyes" ,mixing out everything but the drums. Look at the emotion in his face. This sums up Moon for me.

The books a must have for Moon fans

Rating:
Summary: Stellar book.
Review: This is arguably the greatest rock biography I've ever read---it's not full of sensationalism or mythos, so much as actual Moon fact, and for that, I thank Fletcher. It's so hard not to turn one of these into the ultimate fanboy piece. This book is rock solid up until the last section, where Keith starts seeing a therapist, and the book falls apart and just feels like a "wrap up". Good book, great author. I'll probably read it again in a few years...

Rating:
Summary: Stellar book.
Review: This is arguably the greatest rock biography I've ever read---it's not full of sensationalism or mythos, so much as actual Moon fact, and for that, I thank Fletcher. It's so hard not to turn one of these into the ultimate fanboy piece. This book is rock solid up until the last section, where Keith starts seeing a therapist, and the book falls apart and just feels like a "wrap up". Good book, great author. I'll probably read it again in a few years...