What's the HARDEST Keith Moon The Who Song for Drums?

Tier list of the most challenging The Who songs for drums featuring the drumming of legendary drummer Keith Moon.
0:00 video menù
0:28 tier list start
2:45 first story
5:41 second story
8:06 influence tree
9:18 drum solo in Keith Moon style
10:26 character sheet
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[@steveedward5074]

Kieth Moon was a legendary drummer. He was the Hendrix of drum players. No one is wired like him to be able to play like him. His playing went great with the Who's music. It's hard to picture him playing with another band.

[@jimwelsh997]

KEITH MOON put the drums up front so you had to notice him. He was the greatest drummer ever ever no body can play like MOONY

[@robertcartwright4374]

Your Keith Moon style solo was fierce. Bravo!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks!

[@toepincher]

So glad you used a '65 who song. Moon's drumming that era is criminally underrated

[@Pietro.Valente]

It's really great!

[@rogerdaltrey7111]

Keith may have been at his peak as a drummer 1965.

[@demonsaint1296]

Only three comments down for “underrated”.

[@andthensome512]

He wasn't underrated back then.

[@toepincher]

@@demonsaint1296 lol i didnt say moon was underrated, all i said was his drumming in '65 isnt nearly as talked about as his drumming in '69-'73

[@DanSisken]

I think Moon took it to another level with Quadrophenia--the entire album. In many tracks, he basically played "lead guitar."

[@Spreadsheeter]

Whats your favourite song in this álbum?

[@DanSisken]

@@Spreadsheeter Hard to say. I love love love the first three sides and Side 4 is excellent too. If I had to choose, I would say I'm One and Is it in My Head from Side 2 and Sea and Sand from Side 3.

[@toxic_badasss9656]

I fully agree with you, Keith's drumming is incredible throughout The Who's history but he takes it to another level on Quadrophenia, I think it's his peak performance in the studio.

[@medwayhospitalprotest]

@@Spreadsheeter I love the track "5:15". Moon plays "train" not drums. Sounds exactly like a slam door commuter train going down to Brighton. 😁 I really miss those old train carriages, you could stick your head out the window. Not like today's claustrophobic tin cans. Every time I miss them, I can play that track and listen to the wheels bumping over points in the characteristic rhythm. Da-dum, da-dum...

[@gordonjones4943]

you can play the beat he lays down, but he fills like no one else. a one man band.

[@fhu868]

Well done! Everyone always compares Bonham and Peart as the greatest rock drummers and Keith Moon is always off the radar. Keith is my favorite. His style is so unique. His energy is bar none! His charisma really comes through on his kit!

[@Pietro.Valente]

He definitely express a lot of power and energy

[@Spreadsheeter]

I found this video and realized that I haven’t given The Who the deserved attention. This video is great, thank you!!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks Phellippe, I didn't know them much before this video too.

[@michaelcavallacci2945]

The greatest live band in history

[@gcode71]

When you played " The real me " it gave me goosebumps , like you were channeling Moon. Quadrephenia is a special album for me because of the meaning implied to each piece tells the story at a time when Pete was concept driven, but also I feel they were at the peak of their recording prowess on this album . Love reign over me is still one of the best songs ever . Thank you man. Keep up good work.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot I'm really touched by your comment!

[@TheFern72]

Roger said it best, Keith was playing to his vocals! Once you know to listen for it, it's there!!!

[@frankd8204]

Well done, you nailed it. Thanks for the great work on Moon's style and sharing of your commentary. You are a talented drummer.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot Frank!

[@toxic_badasss9656]

Good Vid and great drumming, I love anything Keith Moon related.

[@skipthornhooter]

This is the closest to Moon's style that i've seen . I think he was at his most inventive around the HAPPY JACK , I'M A BOY , PICTURES OF LILY , SUBSTITUTE era . Well done !

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks!

[@097534]

I'm a retired drummer who grew up with Keith's playing and all early Who stuff. In those days he was great till in the end the drugs seem to take over. He once played a solo on USA TV and was so bad I was embarrassed for him. I now have a new respect for John Bonham after seeing Moby Dick live.

[@jurassiclore5315]

Check out babyshambler

[@robertlivingstone3364]

Great playing! So many people criticize Moon, they have no clue what they are talking about. He was absolutely phenomenal.

[@johnmaurais1503]

To this day Quadrophenia is my favorite Who compilation ever and is always on my playlist. The Real Me is timeless Keith Moon, John Entwistle, Pete Townsend, and Roger Daltrey. Thanks for sharing and great playing as well!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks John!

[@guy-gf2oe]

The who is the best band in the world

[@rochdale33]

Young Man Blues on Live at Leeds is INSANE, my choice too

[@Pietro.Valente]

Really special indeed!

[@JonHop1]

Check out Isle of Wight... Its even crazier and better.. In front of 600,000 people...

[@juliebryne2903]

@@JonHop1 yes it was! Moon was a beast in that song at isle of wight!

[@11000038]

Brilliant demonstration of Keith's genius. Thank you!

[@aglees2b]

Nice influence tree too. Great playing too

[@Pietro.Valente]

Hey Andrew! Thanks

[@pudder68]

dude im subscribing to your channel just because of the hard work and love put into this! Chow~!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks! Indeed there is a lot of work especially behind this video!

[@DirkRadloff]

A fabulous introduction to my favorite Rock-drummer, I love your analytic and structured approach, as a studied musician (violin) I have enjoyed this very much.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks Drik! I'm happy you appreciate

[@drumscat5654]

This was your best famous drummer video since so far, I loved every news you introduced!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks man!

[@slickrockcreek1]

This video popped up in my flow because I watch so many similar ones, so I wasn't expecting anything as technically masterful as this. Also, I appreciate your objectively measured assessment, I get so tired of people's videos about why their personal favorites are "the best [FILL IN THE BLANK] in human history".... You're an amazing drummer and obviously really know what you're talking about! I "liked" and subscribed long before the video was finished (which I rarely do). Looking forward to more of your content!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot! I'm happy to see you really appreciate my work and what's behind it

[@palirvin1871]

Love the format with the music backing you.

[@seanmeehan-js5kh]

Saw Keith play the drums at Charlton Football Stadium in May 1976, blew me away, thanks for playing like him. Brings back great memories!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Great, thanks for sharing!

[@andyf2837]

And weren't they loud!!! Could hear for miles!!

[@andyf2837]

Moon ... the entertainer... a magician

[@seanmeehan-js5kh]

@@andyf2837 I was deaf for 2 days, was near a speaker at side of stage. Great fun!

[@tamarab69]

All i can say is "wow!" .Keith Moon is my all time favorite drummer ..i listen to his isolated drum tracks everyday ...ive been obsessed for years... You sir have amazing energy and talent ...listening to u play gets me every bit as excited as i get listening to keith...u have mastered his style and i think that awesome!💗💗💗💗🙌 bravo!

[@Pietro.Valente]

You say wow? I say wow! Thanks for the huge compliment!

[@tamarab69]

Youre very welcome! 😘

[@matthewholmes2605]

Great piece. For me what made Moon such a great drummer was his energy, and his live playing, where he improvised more than just about anyone. Young man Blues one of the best examples of that. Also the way his playing style was almost a lead guitar in terms of the contribution of the drum track towards the song. Too many today have forgotten Moon and The Who

[@mudstone6497]

To answer your question, YES, the most legendary drummer!

[@williammonteith4484]

I love the way “Pure and easy” From the extended version of who’s next. I think it’s doubles but I’m not sure

[@bjw9529]

Man, just awesome!! Excellent video and excellent drumming!! I’ve studied, watched, read about, listened to and tried to play like many of drummers and Moon, in my opinion, is definitely in the top 10 drummers of all-time. You have Moon down!! Excellent!!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot man! Welcome to my channel!

[@RythymBeast]

Killer playing and great video concept! Awesome!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot! I think you will have fun in my channel 😄

[@johntarnowski9086]

Let me start by saying you are an amazing drummer. Being a Who fan most of my life I'll give you a 9.9 out of 10. The only part I feel you didn't get quite is the cymbal riding at the beginning of Who are You.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks John! You are very generous!

[@michaelcavallacci2945]

Fabulous. Great video. My favorite drummer and favorite band.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks! I hope you will enjoy some other videos of mine :)

[@SCALE_RC_CARS]

Thank you for this post, as a beginning drummer and Keith moon fan this gives me great inspiration. Your drumming is excellent!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot!

[@TheStudioDrummer]

Great job of capturing his playing style. Not easy! 👊

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks man!

[@chrisbayes507]

Pete Townshend always makes derogatory coments about Moon's timing. Its good to see you score him so highly in this respect.

[@patm5086]

Pietro you and your kit sound awesome. Glad i found your channel

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot! I'm glad you find me, there are quite some video to have fun with. Enjoy 😉

[@BadChizzle]

Duuuuude! That’s how you do it!! Thank you!!! 💫

[@patrickbowen3860]

Loved it. Thank you!

[@patm5086]

Keith Moon is in his own category. Your drumkit sounds great especially the snare

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks!

[@Freddy-Da-Freeloadah]

Great analysis of KMs playing. I never thought of ranking his compositions by difficulty... To be honest, I never thought of attempting to play them as compositions!!! I always just banged along with the song, when I was a teenage Who fan in the 1980s... And the "Young Man Blues" seems to have been the highest difficulty! Great work making sense of Keith Moon, and his drumming. The Jazz influence is interesting. Have you thought of Elvin Jones? The way Moon supported Pete Townsands' guitar leads reminds me of Elvin Jones supporting Ornette Colemans Sax playing. I think they called it "Free Jazz"... I don't know who Carlo Little is. I suppose you could say that Hal Blain influenced Moon as far as drum set up, and tuning w/o overtones. Early Keith Moon recordings have some pretty ringy toms! I have read that Moon and all the contemporary drummers took lessons from Jazz drummer Jim Marshall who also made the loud guitar amps Towndsend used. IMHO en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Marshall_(businessman) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Little

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks! Yes, I think there is some Elvin influence in there too, I can hear it.

[@patm5086]

To me, Bargain highlights Moon's drumming in the outro. Stuning

[@marksander7788]

This was so helpful to me. Thank you!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks! Helpful for what reason specifically?

[@maurice_666_ll]

Really nice video, we need more of this kind!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot! Did you see the others of the series? kzbin.info/aero/PLVjabARatXFaXHfsgKLORk_pk2pAT4VBG

[@maurice_666_ll]

@@Pietro.Valente Thank you, I love them!

[@reddevil9554]

Loved your Moon style impro.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot!

[@joachimzegke9301]

great drumming... full understanding of Keith special style !

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot!

[@johndef5075]

Amazing Journey/Sparks.

[@rkleblanc1]

well done. very enjoyable, insightful, and educational. You are also very talented. Thank you.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks! I'm glad you appreciate the various aspects of this video

[@marinman3551]

Great pal 👍.....instructional and very in depth analysis if the great Keith Moon thanks

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot!

[@brianhershberger4429]

Good Lord man u are amazing, epic and unreal. you captured keith so well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Brian thanks a lot!

[@Crankerny58]

Excellent drum solo! You Rock!!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot!

[@The22on]

Excellent!

[@eateeharris4503]

Well done, dear heart & good sir; -I for one concur.

[@bramleydragon]

Excellent video. And you are a fine drummer yourself.

[@shakeelkacmarsky2573]

Bloody brilliant!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot!

[@devilineden727]

Being on speed helps, just ask Keith Moon. If only you could.

[@Y0urMisterDirty]

I really liked seeing you get into those Who drum beats. That’s half the battle

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks Robert!

[@cvwassociates6857]

Brilliant. And thank you!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks!

[@michaelpowers3045]

Live At Leeds and The Isle of Wight are my 2 favorite live albums.

[@nicktendo69lmao99]

This is a bit off topic but I love the tone of your High Tom! I could honestly listen to that for a long time

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot! I could make a one hour video playing that alone haha. Would you use to help you to sleep at night?

[@cristiancabrera6627]

Great video, lot of work!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Yes! Thanks!

[@alvarhanso6310]

These are great. What about Happy Jack, Fortune Teller> Tattoo (talk about controlled chaos, the rolls in Tattoo go straight into delicate cymbal taps), I Don't Even Know Myself (crazy fills into wood block, and acting like a loon doing it), and Amazing Journey> Sparks? I think apart from the insane fills themselves, is how on the beat he really was, and how he could switch dynamically from a herd of elephants to mice on a tile floor. My favorite drummer, and it isn't close.

[@iakusz]

this is good stuff man, really enjoyig it

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks! How did you find the video?

[@iakusz]

@@Pietro.Valente actually searched specifically for Keith Moon opinions

[@Pietro.Valente]

@@iakusz Ok, thanks for sharing!

[@vagnerricardoguilhermebarr3973]

Excelent Chanel.Your Chanel is the best.Congratulations.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot!

[@Platos-Den]

You gave me goosebumps!!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Wow thanks a lot!

[@theitalianskunkwhisperer6843]

Great job man!! 🥁🎵🎶✌️✊ The only thing missing is footage of him playing. They should have a video here on KZbin of "The Best Of" clips of him playing from different shows all the great beats and rolls and fills he's done. I've seen a couple on "The Kids Are Alright" DVD and some on a few of the documentaries I've seen here on KZbin. If I knew how to do it I would. Keith was definitely a special and one-of-a-kind and I believe the best rock drummer after John Bonham.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks for the appreciation and the suggestion

[@marksimpson2321]

Best of Moon would basically be as long as his whole career cos he was often good or better!

[@harrykadaras9459]

If Bonham was "better" why is it there are literally hundreds of YT videos of 13 year old girls playing his hardest stuff, while it takes a top- level drummer like this gentleman to duplicate him precisely?

[@marceibel1131]

Goes without saying.. Moon was a hurricane of a drummer, way ahead of his time.

[@wildimpo]

Dude you nailed it! Good job!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks! How did you find the video?

[@wildimpo]

@@Pietro.Valente I was looking through Kieth moon's videos

[@Pietro.Valente]

Great!

[@laurenvaughn3282]

I just had to rewind the first song. You have some great drumming skills.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks Lauren!

[@pm2819]

Excellente, my friend!! Very respectful, you play well!😎

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thank you!

[@daveh9335]

Well played sir, your experience on the drums is obvious.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks Dave!

[@claytonkaeiser6214]

Good review. KM made some of these songs even more challenging when played live by bouncing drumsticks ten feet into the air between fills and other tricks.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Yeah, I couldn't do that

[@costa1434]

Caro Pietro grazie per l'ottimo video. Un saluto da [e-mail]

[@Pietro.Valente]

Grazie mille! Un saluto da Padova!

[@australianratpatrol]

pretty good,like to hear more about his technique and related technical elements .his timekeeping, his setup,his habits what he does differently what is he doing with the double kicks ect. like the" in the style of bit".

[@Pietro.Valente]

Yes, that would be more of a talking video. My ones are more about playing

[@777johnp]

Good stuff!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks!

[@thespursfan7564]

quite simply the greatest EVER

[@mod69]

Greatest of them all

[@luisbarreto7156]

tienes mucho talento amigo!!!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Gracias!

[@The_D_Man]

Great breakdown of Keith Moon another not so popular song that is very hard on drums is called Dogs Part 2

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks, Yes that song is quite challenging indeed

[@jamesswain1586]

Nice Job Dude.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks James!

[@Spreadsheeter]

Although you say his special weapon is the kick in fills, what I like most about The Who is the fast endless rudiments. Therefore, my two favorite videos are Mitch Mitchels and this one. What are your tips to develop this style of drumming? Of course I do practice rudiments and I nail double strokes, flams, drags, and so on; but how can I practice to play it naturally and intuitively in songs like keith, Mitch, and you?

[@Pietro.Valente]

The key is to play rudimental drum solos like the book of Charley Wilcoxon "The All-American Drummer. 150 rudimental solos." When you need to make them sound good together you are really perfecting the rudiments. Then slowly they will become part of your vocabulary.

[@Spreadsheeter]

@@Pietro.Valente thanks for The Feedback. Ive been practicing this book but as your recommendation, ill take it more seriously. I can currently play solos 1 2 and 3. Do you have any favourite solo from this book i should dive in? Thanks

[@Pietro.Valente]

@@Spreadsheeter no particular favorite, just study them all. In time it's gonna be so much easier that you almost can read them first sight. I see this with my students when the reach solo number 30.

[@kimotanaka5054]

Been a WHO fan since 1970; yet musically incompetent. I liken Moon’s drumming to a rhythmic avalanche. How do you replicate that: it’s one of its kind; in the moment and both destructive and impressive!

[@roloduarte3100]

Good drumming.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks!

[@edwarddehooge4469]

Drum clinic. Ty

[@petebradt]

Dude, you can play damned well.

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks a lot!

[@williamjay8715]

Firs time I've heard My Generation with a bit more swing.

[@Pietro.Valente]

I'm glad you like my interpretation

[@MrGiorgioud]

'mmazza ce piji co 'a batteria. Moonie e' parecchio difficile da replica', e l'haoi fatto proprio bene. Bravo!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Grazie mille Giorgio!

[@Dr.JamesA.Wright1]

I wonder what the analyasis of "Dogs Pt. 2" would tell us?

[@SirWrecksy]

Yes bargain my favorite

[@tylerthompson1842]

Yes

[@Chauc3r]

Moon famously hated performing drum solos. The Who set him up during a concert once as they stopped playing to allow for Keith to do a solo and Keith just stopped playing also. lol

[@jimfritz9503]

DOGS Part 2 / The OX . Ya gotta play Surf Music to play like Keith 🥁

[@richardgarrett5322]

You got it! Probably better than Keith! I played drums because of Keith. Anyway, great job!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Wow! Thanks a lot!

[@medwayhospitalprotest]

You can hear Gene Krupa in his sound, definitely, but I would say it isn't bass drum that makes Moon's sound so special, it's toms. Some drummers might as well not bother even buying toms, they rarely use them. Specially these players that only love their snares. The tom has a jungle sound, I guess it is the tribal influence way back in our DNA. Primitive. If you listen to (for example) the Burundi drummers, its all lower register. It isn't that I don't appreciate precision drummers like Buddy Rich, but there is a lot to say for the primitive, wild tom. ❤‍🔥

[@Pietro.Valente]

I love toms very much myself!

[@martinezmontesdiegoantonio9416]

Wow

[@crypttonite]

this form audio is good

[@GuyPlatteau-xy2sr]

🥁👍 KEITH the BEST rip John et Keith 😢 ( Guy platteau Marseille France 😎 )

[@robertwheatley2471]

Is Keith Moon a legendary drummer? ---I would certainly say so. No question Moon is definitely up there with John Bonham and Neil Peart. Moon died on this day 44 years ago on Sept 7, 1978. RIP. Sadly all 3 of the holy trinity of rock drummers are now gone. What an impact they each made..

[@Pietro.Valente]

Yes, Moon had definitely a big impact in the Rock scene. I didn't know today was the anniversary of his death. Thanks for sharing

[@CultureFusionSite]

So glad Young Man Blues was it. That's the best rock song. Ever.

[@psychedelicrelic5872]

Ciao Pietro! I'm glad you included Bargain, very intricate drumming. Excellent analysis of Keith's work. I've long said that my favorite bassist and favorite drummer were in the same band. For those who are not familiar with Bargain, from The Who's album Who's Next (yeah there may be one or two): kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZLCoYOcbLSkn6c

[@Pietro.Valente]

Thanks! Good idea to put the link, Bargain is also my favorite song of them.

[@enricodelascio4330]

I want a ringo video!

[@Pietro.Valente]

Hehe, Ringo is not in my list for now but if this series goes on really well I may do a video about him too.

[@slickrockcreek1]

I agree a Ringo video would be good. In my opinion he is overly criticized because he wasn't as flamboyant or virtuosic as so many others. But he was key to defining the sound of one of the most legendary bands (if not THE most legendary) of the classic rock genre. He's an outstanding example of a drummer who played THE SONG, opposite of a drummer like Buddy Rich who thought every song was a launching point for a self-aggrandizing drum solo.

[@Pietro.Valente]

You are right, Ringo is a drummer for the song. I guess I will make a video about him some day

[@Pietro.Valente]

Ah I didn't know that!