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Just finished reading Jack Bruce's autobiography.
- Thread starter thebeerleader
- Start date
Rankings always come down to opinion.
...and that's not a question.
Also, there is far more to being a great musician than technical skill and knowledge... far more.
Moon vs Baker is very subjective and each view is valid.
If there was a thread about crazy but talented drummers, they would both be included!
I, for one enjoyed Moon more...he was very creative with his fills.
I could not see Baker adding what Moon added to the Who...not that technically he could not do it...it is just that Moon was so different than most drummers of that era
....that said....without question I prefer Bonham over both Moon and Baker anyway!
If there was a thread about crazy but talented drummers, they would both be included!
I, for one enjoyed Moon more...he was very creative with his fills.
I could not see Baker adding what Moon added to the Who...not that technically he could not do it...it is just that Moon was so different than most drummers of that era
....that said....without question I prefer Bonham over both Moon and Baker anyway!
It seems that most folks won't give credence to the opinions of MANY people. Too bad.
Once again, none of it really matters, anyway.
I have seen both of those clips many, many times.
If you want a better comparison, get clips from '67-'69 for both of them. It is well-known that in '78 (the year of the clip of The Who that you posted), Moon was in a steep decline.
:edit: Please keep in mind that I am not trying to change your mind; I am not trying to get anyone to "see it my way". My point is - Moon does it for me; Baker doesn't. That's all.
Sometimes it's not about how hard it is to play but simply if it sounds good!
Baker may be better but I prefer Moon....some prefer Jaco or Victor but I prefer To listen to
McCartney, Entwistle and John Paul Jones in the context of their bands and that's ok too!
Can't both be great drummers?
Baker may be better but I prefer Moon....some prefer Jaco or Victor but I prefer To listen to
McCartney, Entwistle and John Paul Jones in the context of their bands and that's ok too!
Can't both be great drummers?
Sure. I just have never seen evidence that lead me to believe Moon was a great drummer. Not saying he wasn't, just saying I'm from Missouri. Show me.
I have always been a Mac fan, but until recently I never cared much about Ox or Jack Bruce either. Seeing old live videos changed my opinions of them considerably. JPJ, fuggetabout it, dude is a monster.
Allow me to barge in here and say a couple of things. 
I think Moon is very underrated. I've seen an interview with John Densmore, the Doors' drummer (no slouch, himself) where he talks about being on the same bill with the Who. He remembers being riveted by Moon and he particularly praises Moon's "precision"-- something that destroys the overriding perception of Moon: the loony basher. Moon also had a fine sense of dynamics and drama, and a fertile imagination. To me, his obvious joy was the most exciting thing about his playing.
But there's a famous quote where he was asked if he was the best drummer in the world, and he responded, "I'm the best Keith Moon-style drummer." This is perfect. He was one of a kind, inimitable and ideal for the Who. As mentioned already, he simply dispensed with hi-hats. So what? He did fine without them.
On the other hand, Baker was (is) a well-rounded virtuoso and a master. He is a student of drum history, and has taken from Baby Dodds, Sid Catlett, Philly Joe Jones, Max Roach and his mentor, Phil Seaman. He is also THE guy who "Africanized" Western drumming, and he lived in Nigeria for a while to study. His time is perfect, and, despite HIS erratic offstage personality, he always comes up with creative, musical ideas which add to the arrangement, no matter what the context. He has sounded great with Public Image Ltd., Bill Frisell and Fela, to name just three wildly different settings. It's hard for me to imagine Moon (or Bonham) doing that.
Anyway, if some music excites and other music doesn't, there's nothing more to say about THAT.
I think Moon is very underrated. I've seen an interview with John Densmore, the Doors' drummer (no slouch, himself) where he talks about being on the same bill with the Who. He remembers being riveted by Moon and he particularly praises Moon's "precision"-- something that destroys the overriding perception of Moon: the loony basher. Moon also had a fine sense of dynamics and drama, and a fertile imagination. To me, his obvious joy was the most exciting thing about his playing.
But there's a famous quote where he was asked if he was the best drummer in the world, and he responded, "I'm the best Keith Moon-style drummer." This is perfect. He was one of a kind, inimitable and ideal for the Who. As mentioned already, he simply dispensed with hi-hats. So what? He did fine without them.
On the other hand, Baker was (is) a well-rounded virtuoso and a master. He is a student of drum history, and has taken from Baby Dodds, Sid Catlett, Philly Joe Jones, Max Roach and his mentor, Phil Seaman. He is also THE guy who "Africanized" Western drumming, and he lived in Nigeria for a while to study. His time is perfect, and, despite HIS erratic offstage personality, he always comes up with creative, musical ideas which add to the arrangement, no matter what the context. He has sounded great with Public Image Ltd., Bill Frisell and Fela, to name just three wildly different settings. It's hard for me to imagine Moon (or Bonham) doing that.
Anyway, if some music excites and other music doesn't, there's nothing more to say about THAT.
felix is probably the man responsible for jack's distorted tone and possibly his choice of bass. 
glenn cornick also took influence from felix.
glenn cornick also took influence from felix.
And YOUR credentials are?
Hell, I'm saying that THIS young man is a better drummer than Baker.
Since the discussion seems to now be as much about the Who as Cream, might as well add Hendrix---
From Fathers and Sons: American Blues and British Rock Music by Andrew J. Kellet describing the Monterey Pop Festival--
Mama Cass told Townshend--
"He's stealing your act." Ruefully aware that he had lost that particular battle for authenticity, Townshend smiled, "No, he's doing my act." Eric Burdon concurred: One (Townshend's) was like a violent rape, and the other (Hendrix's) was like an erotic sacrifice.
From Fathers and Sons: American Blues and British Rock Music by Andrew J. Kellet describing the Monterey Pop Festival--
Mama Cass told Townshend--
"He's stealing your act." Ruefully aware that he had lost that particular battle for authenticity, Townshend smiled, "No, he's doing my act." Eric Burdon concurred: One (Townshend's) was like a violent rape, and the other (Hendrix's) was like an erotic sacrifice.
Allow me to barge in here and say a couple of things.
I think Moon is very underrated. I've seen an interview with John Densmore, the Doors' drummer (no slouch, himself) where he talks about being on the same bill with the Who. He remembers being riveted by Moon and he particularly praises Moon's "precision"-- something that destroys the overriding perception of Moon: the loony basher. Moon also had a fine sense of dynamics and drama, and a fertile imagination. To me, his obvious joy was the most exciting thing about his playing.
But there's a famous quote where he was asked if he was the best drummer in the world, and he responded, "I'm the best Keith Moon-style drummer." This is perfect. He was one of a kind, inimitable and ideal for the Who. As mentioned already, he simply dispensed with hi-hats. So what? He did fine without them.
On the other hand, Baker was (is) a well-rounded virtuoso and a master. He is a student of drum history, and has taken from Baby Dodds, Sid Catlett, Philly Joe Jones, Max Roach and his mentor, Phil Seaman. He is also THE guy who "Africanized" Western drumming, and he lived in Nigeria for a while to study. His time is perfect, and, despite HIS erratic offstage personality, he always comes up with creative, musical ideas which add to the arrangement, no matter what the context. He has sounded great with Public Image Ltd., Bill Frisell and Fela, to name just three wildly different settings. It's hard for me to imagine Moon (or Bonham) doing that.
Anyway, if some music excites and other music doesn't, there's nothing more to say about THAT.
Totally agree! You only have to listen to a few Who albums to know that behind all the dramatics Moon was a superbly subtle and dynamic drummer. He had the chops, the speed, precision, and the showmanship.
To me these guys are all together in the top tier of rock drummers of all time. Bonham, Baker, Moon; Every one of these guys just smoked.
Interviewer to Hendrix: How does it feel to be the best guitar player?
Hendrix: I don't know, ask Rory Gallagher.
