Roger Daltrey

Listening to the Who these days is like driving a Rolls-Royce. There is little doubt about the quality of either the car or the band, but both seem as if they ought to come with a chauffeur.

There was a time, of course, when the Who had the same raw appeal as a stripped-down Ford hot rod. They had pin-striped songs; they were loud and fun and rocking. Even more important, they had Keith Moon.

Keith Moon was more than just a drummer. He was a force of nature, a one-man entertainment, a human hurricane. His presence insured that the Who`s live shows were filled with more than just music. They were filled with explosions, fires, and the unforgettable antics of the mad drummer himself.

He would walk on stage wearing handcuffs (in those days, it really meant something.) He would throw chairs around. He would play his drums during the guitar solos. He would pause in the middle of songs and break into rap routines. He would get drunk and sing the Led Zeppelin song "Whole Lotta Love" at the top of his lungs. His performances were filled with energy and excitement and danger. He always seemed on the edge of doing something that would get the Who arrested or killed.

And that is the way we will always remember him.

He died Sept. 7, 1978, the day after he had recorded the vocal track for the Who`s song "Who Are You." He was only 32 years old. His death was a terrible loss for the Who and for rock `n` roll. He was one of the greatest and most innovative drummers in history. He was also one of the most colorful and entertaining performers ever to grace a stage.

The Who were never the same after Moon`s death. They tried to replace him with a number of other drummers, but none of them could fill his shoes. The Who`s music became more polished and sophisticated, but it also lost some of its raw energy and excitement.

But Moon`s legacy lives on. He is still considered one of the greatest drummers of all time. His unique style and his unforgettable performances continue to inspire drummers around the world.