The loveable fellow who'll buy you a drink.....
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I am a lifetime Who fan. If you are looking for colourful and expansive accounts of Moon's antics, you should go elsewhere. If you are seeking what might have really happened, this might be the place to look. However, Pete Townshend declined to be interviewed for the book and comment from the rest of the band is patchy and vague, especially about the latter half of the 60's. I found this book very difficult to read in places. I finished the book with a very different picture of the Keith Moon you see in "Kids are Alright", the loveable joker. He cuts a sad and lonely figure; a massively talented drummer who is unable to cope with relationships, fame and life, turning to alcohol and drugs and venting his frustrations on his wife. A cheery read it isn't but it does portray very well the darker side of Moonie's character.
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Something was missing.........
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I bought this book from Amazon on the strengh of all previous reviews listed.
I grew up with the Who and reading of Moon's legendary genious and also his pranks. This book just did not do it for me, it was just not intimate enough. I'm sure that Moon did so many things that are not in this book. There are a few old interviews with other members of the band, but it is my view that the band had and still have a very strong inner circle and only release what they want the media to know. The Who are one of the greatest rock bands on this planet. This book, in my opion has not done Moon or the band justice. Keith Moon was as visually interesting as he was musically. His music speaks louder than these repeated words.
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Truly amazing biography.
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As others have said, then this book is one of the finest rock biographies out there.
All i can really say is BUY IT.
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Genuine, hilarious and tragic...
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I've read a lot of great biographies about many famous and extraordinarily talented musicians...Dear Boy by Tony Fletcher is one of the best biographies/books I've ever read. Superbly researched, the passion Fletcher has for his subject oozes from every chapter. From his working class upbringing and failed schooling in London's Wembley area, Keith Moon soared to international stardom as the drummer with enormously successful rock band THE WHO. If you think Stephen Tyler, Joe Perry and Aerosmith did a lot of drink and drugs...read this; you will never read about excess quite like it. Fletcher believes that "Moon the Loon" had borderline personality disorder, haunted by the death of his cheuffeur Neil Bolland; he certainly had a sinister side with the two women that really meant something to him in his life. It's amazing to think that Keith actually got to the age of 32 before he died in central London in 1978 - but my God, he seriously "lived" those 32 years. So tragic that he died, but he could've only gone one way because of the enormous amounts of booze and drugs he consumed. Aside his compulsive partying, boozing, womanising and drug taking; one mustn't forget that he was one of, if not THE best, most unusually talented and incredible drummer that has ever lived. The Who were devastated by his demise and have never been the same without this most charasmatic and colourful on individuals - he drove the whole band. Albums like "Who's Next" and "Quadraphenia" display his talents in all their glory. I was in tears at the end of this brilliant book. Even if you don't like The Who - this is a MUST READ for sheer entertainment value.
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Thank god for Keith Moon
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If there was no Keith Moon there wouldnt be the best biography ever writen. I have read many biogs in my time , but never one so in depth and well writen.You usually finish one thinking you know the person. Not this one,you WISH you had known him. Not nice some of the time, a pain in the rear others. But as you would a child you tend to forgive him. read it read it read it .
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