Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist
  • Guitar Techniques
  • Total Guitar
  • Bass Player
More
  • How to make an AI cover song
  • 84000+ free music samples
  • Foo Fighters' new drummer
  • Ken Scott on recording The Beatles
  • First EVH Jump synth recording

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. News

The stars of Ox and Loon show talk Keith Moon

By Rich Chamberlain
published 20 May 2014

Chad, Portnoy, Perkins and more on Moonie

The stars of Ox and Loon show talk Keith Moon
(Image credit: Ron Lyon)

The stars of Ox and Loon show talk Keith Moon

The great and the good of the drumming world turned out in Hollywood earlier this month thanks to an all-star tribute show to The Who’s virtuoso rhythm section of Keith Moon and John Entwistle.

The Ox and Loon night was put on by Brian Tichy and Joe Sutton (who have previous for this kind of thing thanks to the Bonzo Bash) and featured the likes of Stephen Perkins, Chad Smith, Mike Portnoy and tons more.

And here we have the stars of the show giving their thoughts on the great Keith Moon.

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of 8
Brian Tichy
(Image credit: Ron Lyon)

Brian Tichy

“As a real young kid, Keith's playing sounded out of control to me, but it didn't resonate fully until a bit later, as at the time I was attracted to simplicity and power groove and all the other things us drummers get exposed to when we realize at a young age that we really are on this planet as drummers.

“I had a great friend who worshiped The Who so I listened to them a lot, and I really liked all of the tunes as well as Keith's drumming! But back then to me The Who were a freak occurrence. They still are. It took all 4 of them together to create this sound that no one had. But when I finally came back around and listened to Keith for all he is, I became an even bigger fan! Mind you, this is all in my teens.

“As far as seeing him, it was Tommy. It was all so overwhelming that I couldn't take it all in at such a young age. But in high school, seeing The Kids Are Alright just kicked my ass!”

Page 2 of 8
Page 2 of 8
Kenny Aronoff
(Image credit: Ron Lyon)

Kenny Aronoff

“I connected with Keith Moon when I was kid. I saw The Who play in western mass the summer they did the Tommy tour for the first time - I was in the second row. I could always identify with his craziness and unique rock n roll passion to music and playing the drums.

"So when I learned the songs for The Ox & The Loon I was thinking of all the images and vibe of Keith as much as I was thinking about what to play. Like an actor trying to emulate a character. I relate to his vibe and style a lot even though I can’t ever sound like him!”

Page 3 of 8
Page 3 of 8
Chad Smith
(Image credit: Ron Lyon)

Chad Smith

“This goes without saying but I'll say it anyway. There will never, ever be another Keith Moon...ever.”

Page 4 of 8
Page 4 of 8
Matt Starr
(Image credit: Ron Lyon)

Matt Starr

“I had a unique opportunity to sing as well as play drums on the songs I performed (with Ace Frehley and Chris Wyse) at the show. I realized how much Keith plays to the vocal. Supporting key lyrics as well as the general phrasing and emotion. Keith Moon was a larger-than-life rock personality but it absolutely overshadowed his graceful and un-paralleled execution as a drummer.

“I urge everybody who reads this to get the extended version of Live at Leeds, turn the balance all the way to the left channel and crank it up. Sit back and enjoy the sweet combination of raw power and grace that is Keith Moon and John Entwistle playing together.”

Page 5 of 8
Page 5 of 8
Mike Portnoy
(Image credit: Ron Lyon)

Mike Portnoy

"Keith Moon is hands down my greatest drum hero of all time. Most musicians talk about seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan as ‘that moment’, well for me it was when I was 11 years old and I saw The Kids Are Alright in the movie theater. Although I'd been a Who fan since Tommy came out in '69, I'd never SEEN Keith play.

“I was completely transfixed and couldn't take my eyes off of him! I knew at that moment that not only did I want to be a drummer, but I wanted to be a drummer like Keith.

“It has nothing to do with technique it had to with personality which I think is waaaay more important. Watching Keith made you smile and that's the type of drummer I wanted to be!"

Page 6 of 8
Page 6 of 8
Stephen Perkins
(Image credit: Ron Lyon)

Stephen Perkins

"Moon & Entwistle make a wonderful noise together - truly... full of wonder."

Page 7 of 8
Page 7 of 8
Veronica Bellino
(Image credit: Ron Lyon)

Veronica Bellino

“Keith Moon's energy was the driving force behind The Who... and it is a force to be reckoned with! His energy will always live on and continue to resonate and influence. I am honored to be playing among the talented musicians of this event and pay tribute to one of rock and roll's greatest drummers.-- Rock!”

Page 8 of 8
Page 8 of 8
Rich Chamberlain
Rich Chamberlain
Social Links Navigation

Rich is a teacher, one time Rhythm staff writer and experienced freelance journalist who has interviewed countless revered musicians, engineers, producers and stars for the our world-leading music making portfolio, including such titles as Rhythm, Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, and MusicRadar. His victims include such luminaries as Ice T, Mark Guilani and Jamie Oliver (the drumming one).

More about drums
Foo Fighters performing with new drummer Josh Freese at Studio 606

Foo Fighters make live return with new drummer Josh Freese, unveil new song and pay tribute to Taylor Hawkins

Tina Turner

Tina Turner dies, aged 83: stars pay tribute to rock and R&B legend

Latest
TC Electronic Mini Infinite Sample Sustainer

TC Electronic unveils the Infinite Mini Sample Sustainer – a mini-sized version of the John Mayer pedalboard fave

See more latest ►
Most Popular
DOD/DigiTech assembles a formidable lineup of guitar effects designing talent for new R&D team

By Jonathan Horsley26 May 2023

Kirk Hammett: "My favourite version of Greeny is probably the Epiphone"

By Rob Laing26 May 2023

The 1977 Rainbow gig when Ritchie Blackmore played one of his greatest performances – after two long nights in a police cell

By Rob Laing25 May 2023

Show Us Your Studio: Share your home studio and get featured on MusicRadar

By MusicRadar25 May 2023

Sophie Lloyd becomes the first Kiesel Guitars female signature artist with the SL6

By Rob Laing25 May 2023

Dr. Sample becomes Mr. Sample as Blezz Beats recreates the 'holy grail of lo-fi beatmaking' in a sampler plugin

By Matt Mullen25 May 2023

Steinberg’s Dorico 5 improves the music notation software’s playback and note input features, and the free desktop and iPad versions have been updated, too

By Ben Rogerson25 May 2023

Steve Albini recalls the secrecy around the Nirvana In Utero sessions: "I had to do everything I could to keep it under wraps to make sure that we didn’t get overrun by fans and the added nonsense"

By Rob Laing25 May 2023

Guitarist creates a string-picking robot

By Rob Laing25 May 2023

Foo Fighters make live return with new drummer Josh Freese, unveil new song and pay tribute to Taylor Hawkins

By Stuart Williams25 May 2023

7 of the best immersive audio plugins

By Andy Price25 May 2023

  1. When Travis Barker couldn't play, four drummers on the line-up stepped up, including the new Foo Fighters member
    1
    Watch: the time Josh Freese sat in on drums for Blink-182 at Warped Tour ’99
  2. 2
    5 songs featuring Josh Freese on drums (that you might not know were him)
  3. 3
    The 6 non-album Noel Gallagher Oasis songs you need to hear (that aren't on The Masterplan)
  4. 4
    Kirk Hammett: "My favourite version of Greeny is probably the Epiphone"
  5. 5
    Steve Albini recalls the secrecy around the Nirvana In Utero sessions: "I had to do everything I could to keep it under wraps to make sure that we didn’t get overrun by fans and the added nonsense"
  1. When Travis Barker couldn't play, four drummers on the line-up stepped up, including the new Foo Fighters member
    1
    Watch: the time Josh Freese sat in on drums for Blink-182 at Warped Tour ’99
  2. 2
    5 songs featuring Josh Freese on drums (that you might not know were him)
  3. 3
    Dave Matthews explains how Robert Fripp inspired his hit song Satellite and developed the guitar's role in his writing
  4. 4
    Kirk Hammett: "My favourite version of Greeny is probably the Epiphone"
  5. 5
    Steve Albini recalls the secrecy around the Nirvana In Utero sessions: "I had to do everything I could to keep it under wraps to make sure that we didn’t get overrun by fans and the added nonsense"

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.