Schrade's Rave about Moonie

[Sigel James Civ 10 ABW/LGCW <James.Sigel@usafa.af.mil>]

>So what truths have we learned? =20
>1. Moon is/was a better drummer than Kenny.
>2. Moon wasn't a sloppy drummer (atleast no sloppier than higher-held =
>contemporaries).
>3. Moon was indeed a timekeeper when he played his drums

Schrade:

Please don't take this the wrong way, but did anyone ever tell you that
speed kills?  Sniffing model airplane glue can do serious harm.  Please,
come off the ledge...  we care.  Don't we Kids?

Man, you can posture, rave and howl until the walls come crumbling down, but
there is no friggin' way you're gonna tell me that Keith was NOT a sloppy
drummer.  Nor will you convince me that Keith was a timekeeper.  Ain't gonna
happen, and I'll tell you why.

I think that everyone here agrees that Keith revolutionized his instrument;
your Hendrix analogy worked well there.  But it's the essence of his
sloppiness and lack of timekeeping that ALLOWED him to revolutionize the
drums.  If he were simply another precise drummer then he wouldn't have done
what he did. He would've been just another drummer, albeit LOUD!  If you
doubt my opinion, would you question Pete's or Ox's?  Do a little research,
they are in print a billion times each describing how difficult it was to
play with Keith "because he couldn't keep proper time"!  Our discussion is
based on a COMPARISON between him and Kenney Jones.  If you say that Keith
wasn't sloppy in comparison, then what would you call Kenney?  "Perfect"???
Nah, I don't think so either.  For me, the word "sloppy" is a compliment in
reference to Keith because he broke away from the traditional mode of the
drummer simply being a timekeeper.  Could Keith keep time?  Yes -
definitely.  Did he choose to keep time in a traditional sense?  Hell no.
Absolutely not.  Yes Keith could keep time but in his distinct way.  So in a
way I agree that he could keep time, but most assuradly, not a "timekeeper".
That's where a few of us were making our points.

I do agree whole heartedly about your points concerning his "unique and
adventurous" style.  THAT's what made him the greatest drummer in the
history of rock, in my opinion.  But to insist that he wasn't sloppy and he
was a timekeeper, puts him in a category with the boring Bonham and Perts of
the rock world.  And we ALL know that Keith was/is in a class all by
himself.

Now sober up and enjoy the show!  Well, don't sober up completely!

Jim in Colorado Springs (Go White Sox!)

"I'm the best Keith Moon style drummer in the world..."  KJM