Keith Moon, London Olympics: Organizers Ask the Who's (Dead) Drummer to Perform

Spinner ^ | April 11 2012 | Jason MacNei

[xp38]

The legend of Keith Moon continues to live on -- but the London Olympic Committee apparently thinks the late Who drummer is still alive, too.

British publication Metro reports the Who's manager Bill Curbishley was asked by organizers of this summer's London Olympics if Moon -- who died in 1978 -- "would be available" to perform.

"I emailed back saying Keith now resides in Golders Green crematorium, having lived up to the Who's anthemic line 'I hope I die before I get old,'" Curbishley told Metro. "If they have a round table, some glasses and candles, we might contact him."

There was speculation last year the Who would be performing, but nothing has been confirmed. Meanwhile, the Sex Pistols reportedly refused to participate in the Aug. 12 closing ceremony segment "Symphony of Rock."

In related Moon news, Starpulse reports that a "lost" comedy album featuring Moon alongside late comedians Peter Cook and Dudley Moore has been discovered in a producer's vault. The recording, done in 1975 at a BBC studio, features the drummer in nine sketches in the vein of comedic troupe Monty Python.

[xp38]

The London Olympics rolls on

[nuconvert]

lol. funny

[JRandomFreeper]

That's the one excuse that works for not showing up in a commercial kitchen.... Being dead.

/johnny

[berdie]

I wonder if they can conjure up Ent, as well.

[Snickering Hound]

"I'm not dead, Paul is."

[Tex-Con-Man]

Oddly, it may end up being Keith Richards who outlives them all.

[~Pandora]

Can they do a hologram like the Gene Kelly commercial for Coke with Paula Abdul?

[Revolting cat!]

[Lauren BaRecall]

The dead vote, so why not?

[AnotherUnixGeek]

There was speculation last year the Who would be performing, but nothing has been confirmed.

I'd imagine not, since half of The Who is dead. It's like Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr getting together and calling themselves The Beatles.

[a fool in paradise]

Too late. Even the drummer who came onstage from the crowd when Moonie passed out one night has died.

Kenny Jones took over as Moon’s replacement in the Who but he’s busy right now getting into the RnR HoF with the Small Faces/Faces.

[mylife]

Somebody’s on some serious drugs!

[mylife]

In related Moon news, Starpulse reports that a "lost" comedy album featuring Moon alongside late comedians Peter Cook and Dudley Moore has been discovered in a producer's vault. The recording, done in 1975 at a BBC studio, features the drummer in nine sketches in the vein of comedic troupe Monty Python.

No doubt a lost episode of "The Goon Show"

[mylife]

My Hero!

[ChildOfThe60s]

I just watched the Small Faces documentary “All or Nothing”, there actually some footage of real performances, not the 60s lip sync drivel. Although there is plenty of that, of course. Some good interview time with Kenny and Ian & even a little with Ronnie Lane. It was late in the game for Ronnie at the time, I think.

[Slings and Arrows]

If they invite the Grateful Dead they'll have their choice of keyboard players.

[Tex-Con-Man]

If there’s a Rock n Roll heaven...

There must be a Rock n Roll hell.

[a fool in paradise]

Yes there’s a better video that focuses just on Ronnie Lane and has different interviews with Ian McLagan and Kenny Jones (and I think Eric Clapton and others). There are many interviews with Ronnie and footage of his mobile sound studio.

[I cannot think of a name]

Say what you want about him, but he was the BEST rock drummer of all time, he took nothing about stardom or his life that seriously, and he had the good taste to check out before he could stay around long enough to make a complete ass of himself.

(Are you listening Bruce?)