Читать книгу Mad, Bad and Dangerous - The Book of Drummers' Tales - Spike Webb - Страница 15

Most people would agree that a book of drummers’ stories would not be complete without an inclusion or two from Keith Moon. Mooney was drummer with The Who until his tragic death in 1978, and the most notorious rock ’n’ roll prankster of all.

I spoke to one of his peers who knew him personally, Bob Henrit – best known for his work with Argent. We met in The Sun And 13 Cantons pub on the corner of Great Pulteney Street in London’s Soho, just around the corner from where Bob’s drum shop used to be more than 30 years ago.

I’m sitting in the back of a plane from Rotterdam to Heathrow. My co-travellers among the general public include The Kinks and The Who. We’ve all been on tour together across the Netherlands.

Tired and relieved to be going home, I recline my seat and look forward to chill out during the flight. But as soon as I shut my eyes, an airhostess arrives at my side with a large brandy: ‘Excuse me sir, compliments of Mr Moon.’

I accept and ask the hostess to convey my thanks to Mr Moon, who is seated at the front of the plane, near the portable mini-bar. I look around to see that all the other passengers are similarly enjoying Keith’s generosity.

This occurs with increasing frequency during the flight. But no one is complaining. After all, it’s a great way to kill time at my fellow drummer’s expense.

Time passes a lot more quickly than anticipated and in what seems like no time at all we have landed at Heathrow. I get up, somewhat unsteadily, and stretch my legs as everyone begins to disembark. I am right at the back and last off.

As I reach the door to the steps at the front of the plane, the airhostess greets me: ‘Goodbye sir, I hope you enjoyed your flight. Thank you for travelling with British Airways.’

Then a stifled giggle: ‘Oh, I nearly forgot – Mr Moon asked me to give you these.’ I am now left with no choice but to step down from the plane in full view of everyone, holding a lady’s basque, red and black corset and suspenders.

Keith Moon’s pranks are legend, as are rock ’n’ roll pranks in general. But the difference with Mooney was that he would pay the utmost attention to detail. If a television were to be thrown out of a window, he would go to special lengths to obtain the necessary equipment to ensure that the TV was actually on and broadcasting during its descent.

But televisions, Rolls Royces and swimming pools aside, Moon had a genuine eccentricity which was a fundamental part of his everyday life…