There Is No Substitute: A Tribute to Keith Moon

by Ian Snowball

With an introduction by Pete Townshend, There Is No Substitute pays homage to Keith Moon, the late drummer of The Who Keith Moon’s superb artistry on the drums catapulted him into stardom while his eccentric and self-destructive behavior kept him in the spotlight, crowning him as one of the most outrageously mischievous rock stars the world has ever seen. There Is No Substitute pulls the focus away from Moon’s antics offstage and highlights his superlative skill onstage, celebrating The Who’s unconventional drummer who put the beat into a litany of classic rock songs. Containing a collection of both recognizable and previously unseen photographs and memories from friends and fans of Keith―a diverse cross section of drummers, musicians,fans, and writers― There Is No Substitute   concentrates on Keith’s influence as a drummer and musician and the impact he has had on rock and roll. Alongside fellow drummers Kenney Jones (who took over the drums in The Who after Keith’s death in 1978), Don Powell of Slade,Mick Avory of the Kinks, and Clem Burke of Blondie,musicians and friends of Keith reminisce about the madcap genius who is remembered for his vast influence on and contribution to rock and roll. 245 color and b&w images throughout

192 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2017

Reviews

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice idea, but very repetitive and as it goes on - and longer and longer - the list of people paying tribute becomes almost implausibly unimpressive; people - no names - start getting announced as "Lifelong Who Fans" - well, dur. And that's what the internet's for. Books are for thoughtful compiling, for curation, for smart choices. The internet is splatterpaint. This book ends up, as nicely produced as it is and as well-meaning as it wants to be, a bit like splatterpaint. A shame. Also much as everyone thought they had something to say about Moon the Drummer, rather than just Moon the Loon, they end up saying almost exactly the same thing.

[Don Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

such high expectations. thought many great drummers would be interviewed. believe a volume could be written from "life long fan", writer or friends. wanted perspective from members of the craft.