10 Classic Rock Artists That Died Too Soon
6. Keith Moon - The Who
In terms of wild men in rock and roll, no one could hold a candle to Keith Moon. The spirited entity behind the drums for the Who was one of the most powerful sonic forces in the rock world, whose intense style was in a league unto itself. The man's energy felt boundless, but everything came to a sudden end shortly after the band's album Who's Next.
Though Moon had been known for his drug habits, his alcoholism had gotten so out of hand that he was prescribed a substance called clomethiazole to help ease his withdrawal symptoms. During a break from touring, Moon and his girlfriend caught up with friends Paul and Linda McCartney, as they attended a viewing of the rock biopic The Buddy Holly Story.
After having a fight with his girlfriend shortly after returning home, Moon went to sleep after swallowing over 30 of his prescribed medication, which left him unresponsive in his bedroom. Given Moon's irreverent humor, this could have been misconstrued as a cheap joke, but the funeral proceedings helped finalize the end of one of rock's greatest drummers.
While the Who were able to carry on for a few more records, the magic they had with Moon behind the kit was lost forever.