Scot was at the left of the stage with his friend Mike Danese, and they saw Moonie go down for the second time, and Mike told Scot "Het maybe you can go up there and substitute" but Scot thought he was nuts, until they heard Pete Townshend ask "Can anybody play drums?" and immediately Mike Danese set up a hue and cry that attracted Bill Graham's attention, and when he came over, Mike told him "He plays drums!" Graham asked Scot "can you do this?" Scot just nodded, he was helped over the railing and escorted to behind the stage where he was given a quick lesson on Moon's drum kit by the roadie, and then a quick gulp of Moon's brandy that he always kept nearby, and Scot got behind the kit. By this time Daltrey noticed, leaned over and asked Scot his name, and Pete Townshend extended his hand to Scot and said "Just follow my lead, I'll cue you." Afterwards, both were invited backstage, Pete spoke to Scot briefly saying "I bet it sounded different up there than down there, didn't it?" Scot and Mike loaded up some of the free food laid out for the guests and group, and quietly slipped out. The next day, radio statioins were abuzz with the story of the unknown audience member who saved the end of the Who's show. Scot went on to otehr things, eventually married, and then died of a brain tumor. His widow wrote a letter to Pete Townshend and was surprised when on the day of his memorial serviuce, she received a special delivery leter from London from Pete Townshend, asking that it be read at his services. Pete wrote "Scot is often in my mind and always with the greatest afferction and admiration. He showed such youthful courage standing in for Keith Moon that fateful night at the Cow Palace. Scot played so well too, and afterwards didn't ask for praise, try to be my best friend, or wanted free tickets, not that I would have minded if he did. He just played drums brilliantly, smiled, and went home. That was my little time with Scot and I am forever grateful for that 30 minutes that I knew him. I measure my life by the good and great people I have occasionally met. Scot is one of the truly great and good ones. I worked that out in just 30 minutes, this must surely say something about the man."
One helluva story. I love stories like this. It speaks volumes that Pete Townsend never forgot an unknown stranger who jumped up onto the riser and finished out the set for one of the world's foremost bands. The letter that Townsend sent to Halpin's widow is a timeless tribute to what life is all about.. caring.
I met Scot when he worked for our company as a painter. He told me this story and I didn’t believe him until he brought me a copy of the newspaper article,which I still have.
I was in college in 1981, and met a guy that was a bit older than me, and he told me this story. Now I have finally seen the footage. I always thought it must have been the thrill of a lifetime for the drummer who filled in.
Around the 1:30 point, notice how well The Ox is playing percussively and setting the beat. Stepping up to play harder, attacking the strings but still maintaining perfect time, and doing a damn fine job of filling in some of what was suddenly missing! Absolutely fantastic. One of the top 5 greatest bassists ever, hands down.
I agree whole heartedly. You sound like (possibly) a bassist yourself. I certainly am, and you are absolutely spot on regarding your assessment of John. Pure mesmerizing talent, and definitely in the top 5 or so great rock bassists. Thank you for saying top 5 btw... I appreciate your outlook & honesty. I love the Ox but when you look at a field that contains Squire, JPJ, and Geddy Lee, etc... that's some tough competition there.
@@chrisschweder4624Yes, having to keep time restricted John's bass playing somewhat. When Kenny Jones joined the band, John said, in an interview, that Jones, who was a human metronome, gave him more freedom in his bass playing verses Moon.
@@BxCortez2050 I had a dream once that I was filling in on guitar for my favorite band, except I really don't know how to play guitar particularly well, so I kept messing up, and the lead singer, who is actually a super nice guy in real life, kept getting really angry with me, and then after the concert, the rest of the band refused to talk to me.
Can't remember if Joe also said it, but someone said that only about half of what you've heard about rockers' shenanigans is true. With Moon, it was all true.
@@davidcox3076"30% of what you've heard about me is true. Or Marilyn Manson. Or Ozzy Osbourne. Everything you've ever heard about Keith Moon is true. And you've only heard a tenth of it" -Alice Cooper
I was at this show and remember it quite well. I grew up in Santa Clara in the South Bay around 35 miles south. Nobody here mentioned that an "unknown" band named Lynyrd Skynyrd opened the show. We saw their name on the ticket and asked..."who the hell are they?" Well...they tore the roof completely off the Cow Palace that night with their encore..."Free Bird!" Then...we still had The Who!! What a piece of history!
I was there as well! Never forget the guy the pulled out of the crowd to drum! Honestly I didn't know who lynyrd skynyrd was and now realize I witnessed an epic concert!
@@qqw743 They did.He didn't want to do it,because he didn't know the songs.His name: I was told Artimus Pyle,but at that time it should have been Bob Burns.
He was not only the metronome, he laid down all the licks that cemented the band together. Moon was an amazing drummer that never stopped moving across his set creating a rhythm that was unique and powerful. Without the Bass the Guitar player has nothing to play off of and they can be very limited in what they do. I prefer the entire Band with all the low end, drums, guitar(s) and vocals.
@@mikaelbiilmann6826 It really gave proof to the idea that the bass guitar is sort of a percussion instrument, too. Especially with the Ox playing it. They made do pretty well until Scot stepped in.
Incredible that a band of the Who's stature would carry on with a drummer from the audience. I can't see the Stones doing that - most bands would have just called it a night.
I got to open for Johnny Winter in the 80's. We were playing Don't Get Fooled Again. Johnny came up to the stage because he thought it was canned music, The Who playing through the P.A.thinking it was time for him to get ready to take the stage. Then he realized it was my band. Best compliment I ever got in my lifetime!
@@andyoxus The very first concert I ever attended was Herman's Hermits in Dallas in July 1967. The Who was one of their opening acts and not so slightly upstaged the Hermits - this was in the days when The Who destroyed their equipment at the end of the show...there was still a smoky haze in the air when Herman's Hermits took the stage.
He struggled thru the first verse, but on the second go- round he kept his eye firmly on Pete and followed his cues, and did fine. During the lead break at one point, Pete stepped out front and did his famous windmilling power chords with Scot banging away at the drums behind him. What a thrill that had to be for Scot.
@@sparra3819 I knew of his story. I was actually working on writing a book about it, a sort of fictionalized account of the events leading up to Scot being able to go up onstage and play drums with them. Fictionalized because you just have to imagine what might have been said or thought at various times while still sticking with the timeliness of events that really happened.
Entwistle keeps playing his definitive bass no matter Who is passing out on stage. In fact I thank Moon for letting us hear the bass in its full glory.
Crazy that I as a middle school kid living on the East coast in '73 with no internet, knew of this guy and his brave effort, must have been FM radio that I learned of it.
I saw guitarist Uli Jon Roth last night in San Antonio and the band’s 2nd guitarist missed the show due to having to fly back to Germany. The bass player became the 2nd guitarist and the amp tech played bass. Sounded great
Absolutely riveting story…. Arguably the best live rock band ever. Consummate professionals. Entwistle wielded a sonic howitzer and the three of them did what no other band could have or would have done in the same predicament. Amazing! Scot was epic! Best bit I’ve seen on TH-cam in quite awhile. Cheers!✌️🤘
Thankfully most of us made it through our youth unscathed. By the time Moon died he looked like a man twice his age. Wreckless addiction is an illness.
I had a good friend who looked just like Jim Morrison and felt that he was him, too. He'd get drunk on Old English 800 all the time, and he was seeking attention he thrived on. He wound up in jail and totaled 2 cars, one a pristine Dodge Dart and another a Ford Falcon. He didn't care because he wanted everyone else to care about "poor" him instead. If I had a dime for every time he stared in the mirror and ran his hands through his long hair, well, I could pay rent for a year.
I saw Keith in the bar at the Marquee Club, London, in April 1978. We were there to see new band Dire Straits. He was dressed identically to his minder Tiny & approached us to chat to the two girls we were with. He offered me a swig from the bottle of Courvoisier brandy he had in his hand. I couldn't believe he was dead just six months later.
@@marvindebot3264 Which part? New bands - saw Dire Straits in the basement of the Hope & Anchor pub before this club date. Marquee - closed but a replacement was opened Legends - obviously not passed ones but others still gig Equality - way more VIP treatment now but celebs do need protecting from mental weirdos Drinking - many concerts are now dry for control Smuggling - security everywhere, need creativity Sharing - virus threats moderate behaviour Mortaity - premature departures still common Substance abuse - still prevalent Chat to girls irl - ok IMPOSSIBLE
They handled it the best it could've been done. As a drummer and fan of Keith's playing, listening to when he wasn't playing somehow sounded like he was still playing because I've rehearsed this song so many times on the drums and in my head, a void filled in.
Still, with Daltry being infamous for his hair-trigger temperament and being pugnacious (he once angrily knocked out Townshend with one punch), I'm surprised he didn't clock Moon right there on the stage. (I wonder if he did later on.)
@@hlcepeda I think in their history there was a point where Daltrey almost had to leave the band, because he beat up Keith Moon. This was early on, but I'd have to check that.
Kids nowadays may be fortunate to have social media at their fingertips but what I was able to do back then was to go see any of my favorite bands week after week all year long - every album release. I see concerts at an average of 25 concerts a year from 1978-1982 and concert tickets at $7.50 gen admin. If you happen to bring a date. $30.00 will cost two tickets for $15.00, $10.00 for two Big Mac combos. You still have $5.00 for a nickel bag of weed.
To say you actually played with The Who...on stage. That's a musician's dream come true. I did have a beer with The Buzzcocks when they played at Maxwell's in Hoboken. That was a treat. Cool people.
Was at this concert. As I remember, Moon started going out when they were playing Magic Bus. He came back, started with Magic Bus again and fell back off his stool. Never made it back after that.
Moon could handle those drums like a genius maniac but couldn't handle the fame machine that chewed him up and spit him out. (From a drummer/musician since learning 🥁Wipe Out🛢in 1969.) May God rest his soul.
@Daddy53751 Yes. As was evident at this show and others. But the music machine was a contributing factor and does not get off the hook by my perspective.
@@jeffreyjkkelly2520 in that Music Industry and Hollywood are total enablers, of course. Drugs and alcohol are the lions share, we just all hear more about these guys and gals because of the fame.
I had never heard this story until the morning of Thursday, August 13, 2024. What a great moment in the annals of rock 'n' roll history. Bravo to Scot!
@@antonioacevedo5200 Reinvent yourself. Create a new person you want to be, and that person is sober and enjoys being sober. Enjoys being a stronger person always ready for anything. And get help if you need it, AA or whatever. Try instead of fighting the old thing (alcoholism) embracing the new thing (sober super guy).
Wow, that is a rare vintage, legendary video. I’d vaguely heard about this occasion before but I’d never seen any actual footage until now. Keith was an amazing drummer but unfortunately his wild side had to catch up with him. RIP Keith !
He’s passed away from a brain tumor… so your recommendation won’t go far. He was not paid for the show. But he and his buddy loaded up on free food from the backstage vip area.🤣
Was and still am a huge Who fan. I was a senior in HS and drove up to the Cow Palace with a buddy and purchased tickets from a scalper. I remember Keith passing out like it was yesterday, but what also stood out was the opening (then unknown) band - Lynyrd Skynyrd. Free Bird had been unleashed.
I seen Skynyrd on that tour and thought they played much better than the Who. It was funny not knowing who they were. People were saying how good they were and saying Lynyrd who???
I saw The Who at the Forum in Inglewood, CA. It was either 1973 or 74. It was a real treat for me because they were my favorite band. I was hooked when I heard Magic Bus. In 1970 I got a reel to reel and started collecting all their music on factory reel to reel tapes. I have a lot of their stuff on reel to reel to this day. I read an article by "the experts" that the life expectancy of the tapes were 25 years. I wasn't too thrilled with that because I didn't want to lose hearing their music on the best media to listen to music. Turn out they were full of it because here it is 50 plus years later and they still sound the same as the day I bought them. I wasn't able to get everything, but when I don't have on reel to reel I have on vinyl, and to make sure the sound quality is the best it can be, I recorded the first play of the albums onto reel to reel tape as a back-up.
and put the vinyl in storage, never to see a stylus . . . Just like my older brother . . . except the reel to reel was for every day use, some BOSE 901's . . .
I have never understood why some people think that loosing control of your senses is in any way a good or fun thing. Moon had so much talent and look hat he did with it.
I was there about 50 feet back from the stage. They were unbelievable, "Can't Explain" was as explosive a thing as I've ever seen on stage and I saw Zep/TYA /Montrose in the 70s. Wish I had heard Quadro in advance as a whole would have appreciated it they had quad sound set up with speakers at the back of the Cow. With Scott they played a slowed down "Spoonful" and soldiered on but it wasn't the same without Keith. Next day in paper John L. Wasserman wrote Bill Graham was talking to Lynrd's drummer on the side but no explanation why he did not step up. Somebody ripped off the souvenir "Fallout Shelter" jacket from the tour they gave Scot has a memento! BTW that was Lynrd's live tour debut can you believe it. They blew a bank of speakers on "Gimme 3 Steps" and the bass turned to fuzz. Got it fixed and they blew the roof off with "Freebird" all 3 guitars blazing away at the peak. Saw them do it again at Winterland the next year second on the bill to Marshall Tucker. Later they played Oakland Stadium when they only had Alan and Gary on guitars, more casual outdoor show but it was still good.
Drummers named Scott are saving Rock n Roll !! On February 5, 2013, The Who's touring drummer Zak Starkey was unable to play due to a tendon problem, and Scott Devours (Roger Daltrey's band's drummer) filled in for the complete "Quadrophenia and More" concert in San Diego, CA. (Lucky for me, I live there and attended the show!) Townshend thanked Devours during the encores, and added that there would not have been a show that night without Scott filling in on short notice, and he give him credit for his skills in learning Quadrophenia in 1 sound-check/rehearsal that day !! He also replaced Starkey on other dates in February 2013, and would again substitute for Starkey during the band's June-July European tour.
For history's sake, you should share more of those neuronal impulses dancing around your gray matter. If we don't record history, It will be lost. The treasures of your memories can give history richness, and bring it to life so it can be felt with emotion. Please . . . Only you can add the treasures from your experiences. Please share
Anybody can screw around on the drums. Anybody can tap out a simple beat, which for some songs, is enough. But to do the flashy showmanship of the drumming greats, like Keith Moon or Buddy Rich, takes a lot of natural talent that most of us don't have, even more so than endless hours of practice and training. The difference between a real, human drummer and a synthetic drum machine is the difference between a homemade cake and a Betty Crocker box cake mix.
Well stated. There's nothing that can hold a candle to raw talent and personal style. Not drum clinics, institutions, university degrees in music .....etc
@@kerrylee4633 No, Creedence had strict standard against drug use while working. "Suzie Q" is well-structured, planned, and almost flawless in delivery. Drugs do the exact opposite to recordings. Also, Creedence was from Berkeley.
@RideAcrossTheRiver Was being facetious. I was a sound/ recording engineer for many years. I do not advocate substance abuse in the studio or live but some legendary performances have resulted from the use of them. Of course there have been more disasters.
@@kerrylee4633 I know Fogerty had trouble with alcohol at times, but the best Creedence tracks always sound so focused. I mean, a surgeon ain't gonna down five beers before a job ... so why should a musician?
As mentioned in other comments on this thread, this version of Won't Get Fooled Again really is a testament to how good a player John really was. Even though the drums are noticeably absent, The Who has no problem playing the song flawlessly because John's rhythm is so immpecable.
Professionals don’t stop. They give. Asking for a drummer was the righteous thing to do for the audience . Kieth was Kieth till the end. Not making excuses..
There's a British radio documentary about Scot that was broadcast... oh, 10 years or more ago. It has contributions from folks who knew him, from Townshend himself, but for me, the saddest part was that nobody seemed to have managed to interview Scot himself, and get him down on tape, before he passed.
A life long friend partied all night outside the Cow Palace. Among the people who he partied with that night was Scott, the guy who stood in for Keith Moon.
At the 3 minute mark, Pete realizes that without Keith, they aren't a group. It is a shame that Pete seemed to forget that in the years after this. Pete always acts like Keith wasn't important. But Keith was extremely important to the group! Without Keith, it didn't sound the same. Even with other drummers, it was never the same.
Back in the day, you could never make out what they were saying on a good day. Keith needed serious help that wasn’t an available back then. May his troubled soul RIP.
I was there as well. I saw Moon go down several times and I was standing next to my pal Bill Baron, one of the best drummers I've ever worked with. When Townshend made the call I started pushing Bill up towards the stage. "Get up there", I yelled while pushing women and children out of our way. Alas, another drummer got up there and killed it. Never thought I'd relive that moment until now. Skynrd opened the show and I think there were some really dire sound issues. They were pretty bad that night. My band opened for them about six months later. They smoked us...man, they were good!
Pearl Jam, ever the lovers of The Who, brought a fan on stage in Oakland in May 2022 to play Yellow Ledbetter, and then a high school kid the next night for Mind Your Manners when Matt Cameron was out due to covid. Both did well, especially the high school kid. But, man, it’s gotta be a freak out moment when you sit behind the drums and see thousands of people staring back at you. 😳
I saw this concert at the Spectrum in Philly...they were amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and the contact high was also amazing...there were times it was hard to see the stage through the smoke). One of the best concerts ever. The crowd loved them.
What a story! The first band I ever saw was the Who, still my favorite. Hope to see Roger and Pete again. While working as a stagehand at a major band's tour rehearsals the drum tech asked our scruffy lot if anyone played the drums. Several hands went up, mine did not. He pointed at me. As we walked toward the riser I protested, "But I don't..." He looked at me. "Ah, right, gotcha." :)
Some bands I used to practice to at home when growing up I actually got to open for. Now that is still an achievement to say the least. It was a dream come true.
No problem, I have decided, due to popular demand, to put the Scott concert tracks up with a bit of introduction as a kind of part two. I have used the better footage and synced it with the better audio. next video stay tuned, cheers
those were the days. I miss those days when rock was king. all those tales of excess from those rock superstars. and now what have we got? story of some rapper getting arrested? boring stuff. and I'm not even talking about the music....
Funny story: There was a local radio station that did a spoof of this event years later. They claimed they had the recording of the show where a drummer from the audience came on stage to fill in for Keith Moon. The station began playing the studio version of "Behind Blue Eyes." After a few soulful lines from Roger Daltrey, there was a CRASH, BANG and a BOOM! Then a few more soulful lines, followed by even more noise! Whoever was playing the drums actually couldn't play a lick and it was pretty comical hearing the cacophony while the band played on!
I love "The Who", Kieth Moon was a brilliant drummer but his own worst enemy. I remember my older sister going to a Who concert at the Boston Garden in the 70's. She came home early saying Kieth Moon had passed out and the concert was shortened. So sad. Still a legendary band. Moons drumming on the Quadrophenia album is solid.
Townshend was such a trooper the way he handled all of this. Love the segment 3:12 thru 3:37, especially when Pete gives a 'thumb's up' while he and Roger are literally dragging Moonie offstage; looks like something out of a Benny Hill skit ... just another episode of The Who in "Life with Moonie". But seriously, Pete's letter to Scot's widow following his death was such a class maneuver from such a class gentleman.
@MarkPowers - if that’s true then why the hell didn’t Skynard’s drummer come out & cover for Moonie? Maybe there was even a 3rd band on the bill that night
Moonie did the same thing during a Boston show I attended. Opened with I can’t explain then fell off his drums. I think Daltry came out after awhile and said Keith can’t continue. That was the end of the show! Back then it was paper tickets. If you didn’t have your stub you couldn’t get into the rescheduled show a few weeks later. At that show they introduced The Who and Moonie came out by himself doing cartwheels. They did can’t explain again and then said I think this is where we left off!
That’s so sad man. Moon brought so much raw energy to the world of Rock n’ Roll. Thankfully someone was able to help the band carry on through the set. Celebraties are often surrounded by yes men and woman. Who ultimately and inadvertently enable the celebrity. In their case. Moon.
l was very excited about the Quadrophenia album. Thought it was superb. l went to the Boston Garden to hear the album live. They got one and a half songs in and Pete announced from the stage "Keith Moon is sick. You don't want Keith to play when he's sick, do you?" End of concert. A buddy of mine was a Boston EMT at the time, and he was in the ambulance that took Keith to Mass General Hospital. He was on so many substances that the EMTs couldn't determine what was actually going on with him. He survived, obviously. l didn't keep my ticket stub so l couldn't go to the 'make up" concert, a while later. l felt Keith Moon's drumming on Q was brilliant, and he let me down that evening.
I recall my brother-in-law telling me of the night at the old Boston Garden when Keith was 'sick' and unable to perform. He said there was a near-riot on the floor when they announced the postponement. Fun times, the 70s!
Went thru similar w/ Moon in March 76 at Boston Garden- he fell over his drum kit,they announced he was sick,rescheduled for April,that's what happened when he got drunk!
I had known about this incident years ago but wasn't sure of the date. My first WHO show on December 2nd 1973 was a few days later in Montreal and that also was a story. The Who played the Montreal Forum their Fallout shelter concert with Lynyrd Skynyrd opening and after the show they ram sacked the Bonaventure hotel suite and ended up in jail. They finally made it out in time for their next show in Boston Gardens. But wow that was also a shocker for this tour. The gig went well though BTW.
@@SteviesVinylCupboard And nightmare. How well do you know the song in the first place? Songs are often different live than studio versions, or even the last tour. You end up a hero or a zero. Thank goodness he was a hero.
@@MyMusic-cd3do Most musicians, regardless of talent level will never know the experience of playing a large concert event, so by that measure this was a once in a lifetime opportunity provided by a drummer who would rather enjoy horse tranquilizer.
I'd have to agree with the "nightmare" response. I've played drums for 50 years, and around 20 years ago I went to see a friend/former bandmate's new band play at a well attended venue, not an arena or anything, but ~300 in the crowd. When I arrived, he was running the sound and lights, but ran up to ask if I could play a set with the band. I said "Sure!", but hadn't rehearsed with the band or knew more than 2 names even. The set went well, except for not knowing their drummers kit at all, or the songs they wanted to play or, anything else for that matter. It was a little fun and mostly terrifying. :-) Gotta hand it to Scot Halpin.
@@Kentavious444 Just the way the music sounds as you are playing it with no rehearsal must have been so frightening. I wonder if he was high af as most of us would have been at a show back then.
Thanks so much for spotting that and the compliment, much appreciated. I tried to give the video those little key moments to let it tell the story as it unfolds. Your comment says I had some success, cheers 👍
The same thing happened with me at a Rolling Stones concert. Keith Richards was practically out cold, and Mick asked if anyone could play guitar, so I volunteered, and Mick Taylor loaned me one of his guitars. After the show, we all went backstage...and do you know who was there backstage that night? Hendrix! He had been jamming with Keith before the show, so we all partied a little and later Mick himself told me "I was as good as Taylor," and I "should head back to the hotel with us because we have some groupies there," but I had to go home because I had forgotten to take my lithium that evening.
Life is full of remarkable stories. Leave it to the unhappy trolls to mock this one. I myself had run ins with Keith and Keith at different times in my life and different circumstances so I know that Mitchell’s story could be true. The people that were there remember and if it isn’t true it’s still a damn good story.
He was an incredibly nice guy. It was all back lighting on the stage I think due to his sensitive eyes. His drummer used an 18" bass drum. It sounded like a cannon in the P.A. I was amazed with his band overall! Those were the good old days when my band was working for East Coast Entertainment.
Truly that was big , but thats what people in times of need an you never know who might that will be , good scot, i never met you an dont know an never will , but your truly a hero an some one special once again good job,
mmm debatable. There was the other situation on the Smothers Brothers show in 1967 when Keith loaded a small cannon with theatrical flash powder, but "then somehow" it got overloaded with gun powder. When it went off it filled the studio with smoke,, set Pete's hair on fire and deafened him (from which he didn't fully recover), and Loon received shrapnel from the cymbals.
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Scot was at the left of the stage with his friend Mike Danese, and they saw Moonie go down for the second time, and Mike told Scot "Het maybe you can go up there and substitute" but Scot thought he was nuts, until they heard Pete Townshend ask "Can anybody play drums?" and immediately Mike Danese set up a hue and cry that attracted Bill Graham's attention, and when he came over, Mike told him "He plays drums!" Graham asked Scot "can you do this?" Scot just nodded, he was helped over the railing and escorted to behind the stage where he was given a quick lesson on Moon's drum kit by the roadie, and then a quick gulp of Moon's brandy that he always kept nearby, and Scot got behind the kit. By this time Daltrey noticed, leaned over and asked Scot his name, and Pete Townshend extended his hand to Scot and said "Just follow my lead, I'll cue you." Afterwards, both were invited backstage, Pete spoke to Scot briefly saying "I bet it sounded different up there than down there, didn't it?" Scot and Mike loaded up some of the free food laid out for the guests and group, and quietly slipped out. The next day, radio statioins were abuzz with the story of the unknown audience member who saved the end of the Who's show. Scot went on to otehr things, eventually married, and then died of a brain tumor. His widow wrote a letter to Pete Townshend and was surprised when on the day of his memorial serviuce, she received a special delivery leter from London from Pete Townshend, asking that it be read at his services. Pete wrote "Scot is often in my mind and always with the greatest afferction and admiration. He showed such youthful courage standing in for Keith Moon that fateful night at the Cow Palace. Scot played so well too, and afterwards didn't ask for praise, try to be my best friend, or wanted free tickets, not that I would have minded if he did. He just played drums brilliantly, smiled, and went home. That was my little time with Scot and I am forever grateful for that 30 minutes that I knew him. I measure my life by the good and great people I have occasionally met. Scot is one of the truly great and good ones. I worked that out in just 30 minutes, this must surely say something about the man."
BEAUTIFUL!
Very nice contribution, thank you . I was hoping someone would post this 👍
wow
One helluva story. I love stories like this. It speaks volumes that Pete Townsend never forgot an unknown stranger who jumped up onto the riser and finished out the set for one of the world's foremost bands. The letter that Townsend sent to Halpin's widow is a timeless tribute to what life is all about.. caring.
Wow we may never know how great Pete actually is
I met Scot when he worked for our company as a painter. He told me this story and I didn’t believe him until he brought me a copy of the newspaper article,which I still have.
great story, thanks for sharing 👍
I was in college in 1981, and met a guy that was a bit older than me, and he told me this story. Now I have finally seen the footage. I always thought it must have been the thrill of a lifetime for the drummer who filled in.
Around the 1:30 point, notice how well The Ox is playing percussively and setting the beat. Stepping up to play harder, attacking the strings but still maintaining perfect time, and doing a damn fine job of filling in some of what was suddenly missing!
Absolutely fantastic. One of the top 5 greatest bassists ever, hands down.
It just shows how well his bass and playing carried 👍
Recently I saw a TH-cam doc on Moon. Pete said that Moon really never kept time during songs, that was John's job.
I agree whole heartedly. You sound like (possibly) a bassist yourself. I certainly am, and you are absolutely spot on regarding your assessment of John. Pure mesmerizing talent, and definitely in the top 5 or so great rock bassists.
Thank you for saying top 5 btw... I appreciate your outlook & honesty.
I love the Ox but when you look at a field that contains Squire, JPJ, and Geddy Lee, etc... that's some tough competition there.
@@chrisschweder4624Yes, having to keep time restricted John's bass playing somewhat. When Kenny Jones joined the band, John said, in an interview, that Jones, who was a human metronome, gave him more freedom in his bass playing verses Moon.
Number one in my book. His work on the Quadrophenia album alone is enough to put him at the top of the base player's tree.
Imagine going to see your favorite band in concert only to end up _playing_ with your favorite band in concert.
Imagine trying to tell your friends the next day....yeah sure you did, and I played guitar with the Rolling Stones last week, yeah right!
@@nursesteve2004 I hadn't thought about that. The story really does sound unbelievable.
My claim to fame is I’ve been on the same stage as The Rolling Stones, unfortunately not at the same time.
terrifying
@@BxCortez2050 I had a dream once that I was filling in on guitar for my favorite band, except I really don't know how to play guitar particularly well, so I kept messing up, and the lead singer, who is actually a super nice guy in real life, kept getting really angry with me, and then after the concert, the rest of the band refused to talk to me.
"One of the most terrifying things that's ever happened to me was when Keith Moon decided he liked me." - Joe Walsh
Can't remember if Joe also said it, but someone said that only about half of what you've heard about rockers' shenanigans is true. With Moon, it was all true.
@@davidcox3076
Alice Cooper.
@@hyacinthlynch843 Thank you! I couldn't remember.
@@davidcox3076"30% of what you've heard about me is true. Or Marilyn Manson. Or Ozzy Osbourne. Everything you've ever heard about Keith Moon is true. And you've only heard a tenth of it"
-Alice Cooper
Two peas in a pod in those days. Loved them both.
I was at this show and remember it quite well. I grew up in Santa Clara in the South Bay around 35 miles south. Nobody here mentioned that an "unknown" band named Lynyrd Skynyrd opened the show. We saw their name on the ticket and asked..."who the hell are they?" Well...they tore the roof completely off the Cow Palace that night with their encore..."Free Bird!" Then...we still had The Who!! What a piece of history!
I was there as well! Never forget the guy the pulled out of the crowd to drum! Honestly I didn't know who lynyrd skynyrd was and now realize I witnessed an epic concert!
The Who shoulda seen if the Skynyrd drummer was still around, that's the sensible move.
@@qqw743 They did.He didn't want to do it,because he didn't know the songs.His name: I was told Artimus Pyle,but at that time it should have been Bob Burns.
@@dharma_star Tx
Sounds amazing ... wish I was there 👏 😃👍
I read somewhere that the fan, Scott Halpin said the size of Keith’s drum kit was ridiculous. Everywhere you looked, there was something to hit. 😂
Keith wanted to make sure Pete’s nose wasn’t the biggest thing on stage.
I like the Who but I always thought Moon's drumming was a bit too much.
Nicko McBrain enters the discussion
Scot said that the TomTom 's were as big or bigger than his own bass drum. Plus Keith was using 2 big bass drums.
And it appeared that he hit everything at the same time!
I'm surprised the Who didn't have a drum tech available to step in but the fact an audience member stepped in is legendary.
That's what I was thinking. Where was the drum tech? Unless he was plastered too?
I know some great guitar luthiers who can barely play more than 3 chords !
@@bruggesA guitar luthier is different to a guitar tech though. A drum tech or guitar tech can play the instruments
No one talks about the zookeeper who had to deal with an elephant with insomnia.
excellent 🤣👍
Good point!!
Brilliant
ROF, LMAO
The internet is yours for the day sir! 🤣
John Entwistle's bass playing is so heavy and rhythmically strong that you actually had a hard time realizing Keith wasn't there.
Well he really wasn't there to begin with...
He was not only the metronome, he laid down all the licks that cemented the band together. Moon was an amazing drummer that never stopped moving across his set creating a rhythm that was unique and powerful. Without the Bass the Guitar player has nothing to play off of and they can be very limited in what they do. I prefer the entire Band with all the low end, drums, guitar(s) and vocals.
I know what you mean. There's still a percussive 'chop' present without Moon.
Thunderfingers rises to the occasion
@@richardselby1711 Best drummer ever, he danced in a drum set .
At least the rest of the band kept the show going they didn’t stop. They just kept playing which was very professional.
Their playing was so tight too!😮
@@mikaelbiilmann6826 It really gave proof to the idea that the bass guitar is sort of a percussion instrument, too. Especially with the Ox playing it. They made do pretty well until Scot stepped in.
@@dave30076 True... the Ox... what a bass player!
@@mikaelbiilmann6826 Whatever the band...you follow the bass. Not the drummer, not the pianist. The bass.
Incredible that a band of the Who's stature would carry on with a drummer from the audience. I can't see the Stones doing that - most bands would have just called it a night.
I got to open for Johnny Winter in the 80's. We were playing Don't Get Fooled Again. Johnny came up to the stage because he thought it was canned music, The Who playing through the P.A.thinking it was time for him to get ready to take the stage. Then he realized it was my band. Best compliment I ever got in my lifetime!
JW. Another great musician. Really liked his re invention of Dylan's Highway61.
That's absolutely incredible! Something no-one would ever forget. I'm sorry your comment (as of now) has got lost in the youtube noise.
The Winters are vastly underrated
@@andyoxus The very first concert I ever attended was Herman's Hermits in Dallas in July 1967.
The Who was one of their opening acts and not so slightly upstaged the Hermits - this was in the days when The Who destroyed their equipment at the end of the show...there was still a smoky haze in the air when Herman's Hermits took the stage.
@@tmoln2131 I was at Liberty Hall in 1972 to see Johnny Winter perform with renowned bluesman Jimmy Reed. They put on an awesome show.
R.I.P. Scott Halpin. 2/9/2008, age 54 (brain tumor).
a good man!
Naked Eye…Scott has to play one of the trickiest songs in the Who catalogue which had not been released at that point. Nice baptism.
It would have been very daunting indeed 👍
@@SteviesVinylCupboard In the recorded version originally on Odds And Sods, it goes from 4/4 to 2/4 to 6/8, as far as I can tell. Nuts!
He struggled thru the first verse, but on the second go- round he kept his eye firmly on Pete and followed his cues, and did fine. During the lead break at one point, Pete stepped out front and did his famous windmilling power chords with Scot banging away at the drums behind him. What a thrill that had to be for Scot.
@@nursesteve2004 As I saw earlier, you knew Scot or knew of his story quite well, so your comments give wonderful perspective, thank you!
@@sparra3819 I knew of his story. I was actually working on writing a book about it, a sort of fictionalized account of the events leading up to Scot being able to go up onstage and play drums with them. Fictionalized because you just have to imagine what might have been said or thought at various times while still sticking with the timeliness of events that really happened.
Entwistle keeps playing his definitive bass no matter Who is passing out on stage.
In fact I thank Moon for letting us hear the bass in its full glory.
Agreed! Even with the grainy video, gosh, the bass was exceptional.
Keep calm and carry on, is the British way!
@@andree.b4723 Jolly good wot!
@@DMSProduktions Lol, you got it!
Crazy that I as a middle school kid living on the East coast in '73 with no internet, knew of this guy and his brave effort, must have been FM radio that I learned of it.
I'm surprised The Who didn't have a drum tech that knew all the songs and could take Keith's place. It was a different time, I guess.
I saw guitarist Uli Jon Roth last night in San Antonio and the band’s 2nd guitarist missed the show due to having to fly back to Germany. The bass player became the 2nd guitarist and the amp tech played bass. Sounded great
Guitar tech here. I know the songs better than the guy I work for... who wrote the songs.
Even without Moon, Daltrey Townshend and Entwhistle Still Sounded Amazing on Won't Get Fooled Again!
Indeed, even though its recorded badly Johns base particularly carries it wonderfully
@@SteviesVinylCupboard So percussive.
@@SteviesVinylCupboard BASS
Entwistle absolutely CARRIES on that part
Absolutely riveting story…. Arguably the best live rock band ever. Consummate professionals. Entwistle wielded a sonic howitzer and the three of them did what no other band could have or would have done in the same predicament. Amazing!
Scot was epic!
Best bit I’ve seen on TH-cam in quite awhile.
Cheers!✌️🤘
Sorry, the Who was great, but my vote there would be for Rush. So, a bit arguably, but take it as good-natured, we are all fans of the music.
Wow! I was there! My memories of the show are actually correct!
Now wait a minute. I always heard if you remembered it, you weren't really there.😅
@@Slinkygal Not so... I was there, too! There are quite a few such "mistaken memories", but I was most certainly there!
Scot Halpin was from my hometown of Muscatine, iowa. this story is legend among us local musicians here!
Thankfully most of us made it through our youth unscathed. By the time Moon died he looked like a man twice his age. Wreckless addiction is an illness.
Same with Morrison and Hank Williams.
Pete said it was an insane coke addiction to cover the booze habit.
Or, it’s lack of self control.
I had a good friend who looked just like Jim Morrison and felt that he was him, too. He'd get drunk on Old English 800 all the time, and he was seeking attention he thrived on. He wound up in jail and totaled 2 cars, one a pristine Dodge Dart and another a Ford Falcon. He didn't care because he wanted everyone else to care about "poor" him instead. If I had a dime for every time he stared in the mirror and ran his hands through his long hair, well, I could pay rent for a year.
@@willoughby1888 Pretty good, pretty neat
A memorable experience for Halpin. A sad night for Moon. Rock & Roll Excess.
Indeed, both a wonderful experience and a desperate one at the same time.
I saw Keith in the bar at the Marquee Club, London, in April 1978. We were there to see new band Dire Straits. He was dressed identically to his minder Tiny & approached us to chat to the two girls we were with. He offered me a swig from the bottle of Courvoisier brandy he had in his hand. I couldn't believe he was dead just six months later.
Epic but that kind of thing was possible then, not any longer :(
@@marvindebot3264 Which part?
New bands - saw Dire Straits in the basement of the Hope & Anchor pub before this club date.
Marquee - closed but a replacement was opened
Legends - obviously not passed ones but others still gig
Equality - way more VIP treatment now but celebs do need protecting from mental weirdos
Drinking - many concerts are now dry for control
Smuggling - security everywhere, need creativity
Sharing - virus threats moderate behaviour
Mortaity - premature departures still common
Substance abuse - still prevalent
Chat to girls irl - ok IMPOSSIBLE
Seriously. That is utterly professional that they continued playing the song without him. And it was still good without drums lol!!!
Which goes to show you just how great they were.
They handled it the best it could've been done. As a drummer and fan of Keith's playing, listening to when he wasn't playing somehow sounded like he was still playing because I've rehearsed this song so many times on the drums and in my head, a void filled in.
@@jimguy9874 Exactly. Moon let the side down but the side kept on playing.
Still, with Daltry being infamous for his hair-trigger temperament and being pugnacious (he once angrily knocked out Townshend with one punch), I'm surprised he didn't clock Moon right there on the stage. (I wonder if he did later on.)
@@hlcepeda I think in their history there was a point where Daltrey almost had to leave the band, because he beat up Keith Moon. This was early on, but I'd have to check that.
Kids nowadays may be fortunate to have social media at their fingertips but what I was able to do back then was to go see any of my favorite bands week after week all year long - every album release. I see concerts at an average of 25 concerts a year from 1978-1982 and concert tickets at $7.50 gen admin. If you happen to bring a date. $30.00 will cost two tickets for $15.00, $10.00 for two Big Mac combos. You still have $5.00 for a nickel bag of weed.
Those were definitely the best of times growing up....😊
To say you actually played with The Who...on stage. That's a musician's dream come true. I did have a beer with The Buzzcocks when they played at Maxwell's in Hoboken. That was a treat. Cool people.
The Buzzcocks were awesome so many great edgy tunes!
I was friends with Pete and Steve from Buzzcocks and for 30 years would go backstage for some beers (and weed) when they were in the Bay Area also
lucky! Buzzcocks are one of my favorite bands. i had Singles Going Steady on vinyl. played the hell out of it.
Surely Moonie's drum tech would have been a bit peeved he wasn't given the chance.
Buzzcocks were awesome-- waaaaaaay underrated.
RIP SCOT THANKU FOR PLAYING!!! AND THANKU FOR BEING.
Imagine going to see one of your favorite bands perform and ending up on the stage playing with them.
Was at this concert. As I remember, Moon started going out when they were playing Magic Bus. He came back, started with Magic Bus again and fell back off his stool. Never made it back after that.
Moon could handle those drums like a genius maniac but couldn't handle the fame machine that chewed him up and spit him out. (From a drummer/musician since learning 🥁Wipe Out🛢in 1969.) May God rest his soul.
He had substance abuse problems.
It’s taken down more of the world’s great musicians than anything else on earth.
@Daddy53751 Yes. As was evident at this show and others. But the music machine was a contributing factor and does not get off the hook by my perspective.
@11235but Which can be manageable and not a death sentence. The music machine contributed to his death.
@@jeffreyjkkelly2520 in that Music Industry and Hollywood are total enablers, of course.
Drugs and alcohol are the lions share, we just all hear more about these guys and gals because of the fame.
So he was a no call, no show.
I had never heard this story until the morning of Thursday, August 13, 2024. What a great moment in the annals of rock 'n' roll history. Bravo to Scot!
THERE BY THE GRACE OF GOD GO I . SOBER 40 YEARS.
well done 👍
Yes!
Sober 20! I have done some incredibly stupid stuff when I was drunk
I am fighting alcoholism. How have you done it?
@@antonioacevedo5200 Reinvent yourself. Create a new person you want to be, and that person is sober and enjoys being sober. Enjoys being a stronger person always ready for anything. And get help if you need it, AA or whatever. Try instead of fighting the old thing (alcoholism) embracing the new thing (sober super guy).
Wow, that is a rare vintage, legendary video. I’d vaguely heard about this occasion before but I’d never seen any actual footage until now. Keith was an amazing drummer but unfortunately his wild side had to catch up with him. RIP Keith !
I went to high school with that drummer. I would recommend him…
Was Scott paid for his saving the show?
He’s passed away from a brain tumor… so your recommendation won’t go far.
He was not paid for the show.
But he and his buddy loaded up on free food from the backstage vip area.🤣
Yeah Riordan HS... his brother was in my class.
Keith Moon Unplugged. 20 years ahead of his time.
😂
😂
😂
😂
Nice one
Was and still am a huge Who fan. I was a senior in HS and drove up to the Cow Palace with a buddy and purchased tickets from a scalper. I remember Keith passing out like it was yesterday, but what also stood out was the opening (then unknown) band - Lynyrd Skynyrd. Free Bird had been unleashed.
I seen Skynyrd on that tour and thought they played much better than the Who. It was funny not knowing who they were. People were saying how good they were and saying Lynyrd who???
The Who: the only band that could play on without a drummer and still sound good
I saw The Who at the Forum in Inglewood, CA. It was either 1973 or 74. It was a real treat for me because they were my favorite band. I was hooked when I heard Magic Bus. In 1970 I got a reel to reel and started collecting all their music on factory reel to reel tapes. I have a lot of their stuff on reel to reel to this day. I read an article by "the experts" that the life expectancy of the tapes were 25 years. I wasn't too thrilled with that because I didn't want to lose hearing their music on the best media to listen to music. Turn out they were full of it because here it is 50 plus years later and they still sound the same as the day I bought them. I wasn't able to get everything, but when I don't have on reel to reel I have on vinyl, and to make sure the sound quality is the best it can be, I recorded the first play of the albums onto reel to reel tape as a back-up.
I should imagine that collection may be worth alot now, cheers👍
You must be keeping the tapes in a place where they are protected and your machines heads are kept clean.
and put the vinyl in storage, never to see a stylus . . .
Just like my older brother . . . except the reel to reel was for every day use, some BOSE 901's . . .
I have never understood why some people think that loosing control of your senses is in any way a good or fun thing. Moon had so much talent and look hat he did with it.
Yeah, I'm with you. I've never taken drugs and don't understand the appeal to it either.
I was there about 50 feet back from the stage. They were unbelievable, "Can't Explain" was as explosive a thing as I've ever seen on stage and I saw Zep/TYA /Montrose in the 70s. Wish I had heard Quadro in advance as a whole would have appreciated it they had quad sound set up with speakers at the back of the Cow. With Scott they played a slowed down "Spoonful" and soldiered on but it wasn't the same without Keith. Next day in paper John L. Wasserman wrote Bill Graham was talking to Lynrd's drummer on the side but no explanation why he did not step up. Somebody ripped off the souvenir "Fallout Shelter" jacket from the tour they gave Scot has a memento! BTW that was Lynrd's live tour debut can you believe it. They blew a bank of speakers on "Gimme 3 Steps" and the bass turned to fuzz. Got it fixed and they blew the roof off with "Freebird" all 3 guitars blazing away at the peak. Saw them do it again at Winterland the next year second on the bill to Marshall Tucker. Later they played Oakland Stadium when they only had Alan and Gary on guitars, more casual outdoor show but it was still good.
Thanks for posting! 19-year-old me was up front on the floor and your film is exactly what I remember. Cheers!
My bass player was AT this show. I only found out last month. What he described is exactly what has gone down in legend.
👍
Drummers named Scott are saving Rock n Roll !! On February 5, 2013, The Who's touring drummer Zak Starkey was unable to play due to a tendon problem, and Scott Devours (Roger Daltrey's band's drummer) filled in for the complete "Quadrophenia and More" concert in San Diego, CA. (Lucky for me, I live there and attended the show!) Townshend thanked Devours during the encores, and added that there would not have been a show that night without Scott filling in on short notice, and he give him credit for his skills in learning Quadrophenia in 1 sound-check/rehearsal that day !! He also replaced Starkey on other dates in February 2013, and would again substitute for Starkey during the band's June-July European tour.
Interesting info, cheers 👍
For history's sake, you should share more of those neuronal impulses dancing around your gray matter.
If we don't record history, It will be lost. The treasures of your memories can give history richness, and bring it to life so it can be felt with emotion.
Please . . .
Only you can add the treasures from your experiences. Please share
wow! what a night and memory for Scot! stepped up to the plate and did a fantastic job! RIP....
Amazing how well Entwistle and Townsend kept the beat going after Moon dropped out. That's a powerful rhythm section.
Anybody can screw around on the drums. Anybody can tap out a simple beat, which for some songs, is enough. But to do the flashy showmanship of the drumming greats, like Keith Moon or Buddy Rich, takes a lot of natural talent that most of us don't have, even more so than endless hours of practice and training.
The difference between a real, human drummer and a synthetic drum machine is the difference between a homemade cake and a Betty Crocker box cake mix.
Well stated. There's nothing that can hold a candle to raw talent and personal style. Not drum clinics, institutions, university degrees in music .....etc
@@kerrylee4633 How he and the band came up with that crazy beat to "Suzie Q.", I'll never know, but that's next-level-up attitude.
@@kerrylee4633 No, Creedence had strict standard against drug use while working. "Suzie Q" is well-structured, planned, and almost flawless in delivery. Drugs do the exact opposite to recordings. Also, Creedence was from Berkeley.
@RideAcrossTheRiver Was being facetious. I was a sound/ recording engineer for many years. I do not advocate substance abuse in the studio or live but some legendary performances have resulted from the use of them. Of course there have been more disasters.
@@kerrylee4633 I know Fogerty had trouble with alcohol at times, but the best Creedence tracks always sound so focused. I mean, a surgeon ain't gonna down five beers before a job ... so why should a musician?
As mentioned in other comments on this thread, this version of Won't Get Fooled Again really is a testament to how good a player John really was. Even though the drums are noticeably absent, The Who has no problem playing the song flawlessly because John's rhythm is so immpecable.
Professionals don’t stop. They give. Asking for a drummer was the righteous thing to do for the audience . Kieth was Kieth till the end. Not making excuses..
KEITH
😂
There's a British radio documentary about Scot that was broadcast... oh, 10 years or more ago. It has contributions from folks who knew him, from Townshend himself, but for me, the saddest part was that nobody seemed to have managed to interview Scot himself, and get him down on tape, before he passed.
This is the greatest story in the history of rock music.
A life long friend partied all night outside the Cow Palace. Among the people who he partied with that night was Scott, the guy who stood in for Keith Moon.
Great stuff 👍
At the 3 minute mark, Pete realizes that without Keith, they aren't a group. It is a shame that Pete seemed to forget that in the years after this. Pete always acts like Keith wasn't important. But Keith was extremely important to the group! Without Keith, it didn't sound the same. Even with other drummers, it was never the same.
Back in the day, you could never make out what they were saying on a good day. Keith needed serious help that wasn’t an available back then. May his troubled soul RIP.
I was there as well. I saw Moon go down several times and I was standing next to my pal Bill Baron, one of the best drummers I've ever worked with. When Townshend made the call I started pushing Bill up towards the stage. "Get up there", I yelled while pushing women and children out of our way. Alas, another drummer got up there and killed it. Never thought I'd relive that moment until now. Skynrd opened the show and I think there were some really dire sound issues. They were pretty bad that night. My band opened for them about six months later. They smoked us...man, they were good!
Great story Greg, and from an acclaimed guitarist as well!, thanks for sharing. Glad I reminded you to get your story, cheers 👍
This has got to be the Greatest Rock and Roll story in the History of Concerts ! Simply an Amazing Story ! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍👍
Pearl Jam, ever the lovers of The Who, brought a fan on stage in Oakland in May 2022 to play Yellow Ledbetter, and then a high school kid the next night for Mind Your Manners when Matt Cameron was out due to covid. Both did well, especially the high school kid. But, man, it’s gotta be a freak out moment when you sit behind the drums and see thousands of people staring back at you. 😳
I saw this concert at the Spectrum in Philly...they were amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and the contact high was also amazing...there were times it was hard to see the stage through the smoke). One of the best concerts ever. The crowd loved them.
this is truly an incredible story. its worthy of a movie
seriously. done the right way it would be incredible
What a story! The first band I ever saw was the Who, still my favorite. Hope to see Roger and Pete again.
While working as a stagehand at a major band's tour rehearsals the drum tech asked our scruffy lot if anyone played the drums. Several hands went up, mine did not. He pointed at me. As we walked toward the riser I protested, "But I don't..." He looked at me. "Ah, right, gotcha." :)
lovely tale...Keith was something else. Influenced many, broke a lot of hearts...
Some bands I used to practice to at home when growing up I actually got to open for. Now that is still an achievement to say the least. It was a dream come true.
I really miss the big stages. Those were the glory days! Got to open for B.T.O twice, Tinsley Ellis and many more.
Thanks great stuff, thank you for your comments 👍
Never heard this story before. Big props to Scot for getting up there and filling in!!
@Steviesvinylcupboard- thank you for that information, including your insights into the original footage. Bravo!
No problem, I have decided, due to popular demand, to put the Scott concert tracks up with a bit of introduction as a kind of part two. I have used the better footage and synced it with the better audio. next video stay tuned, cheers
@@SteviesVinylCupboardwow! I'll be looking for it. Thanks for the hard work!
I remember reading about that, I think in Rolling Stone. I didn't know Scott had died. Sorry to hear that.
That's really cool to see that footage. Thanks!
appreciate the comment, thanks 👍
those were the days. I miss those days when rock was king. all those tales of excess from those rock superstars. and now what have we got? story of some rapper getting arrested? boring stuff. and I'm not even talking about the music....
Just said that to my wife seeing this story. The sex, drugs, and rock and roll of the '70's will never be the same.
Getting through the song in perfect time without the drummer, and you almost don't notice. That's how the big boys do it.
Funny story: There was a local radio station that did a spoof of this event years later. They claimed they had the recording of the show where a drummer from the audience came on stage to fill in for Keith Moon. The station began playing the studio version of "Behind Blue Eyes." After a few soulful lines from Roger Daltrey, there was a CRASH, BANG and a BOOM! Then a few more soulful lines, followed by even more noise! Whoever was playing the drums actually couldn't play a lick and it was pretty comical hearing the cacophony while the band played on!
Being a fan since the late 60s. Moon never knew how to handle the fame. Unfortunately, he died as one of the best drummers of all times.
I love "The Who", Kieth Moon was a brilliant drummer but his own worst enemy. I remember my older sister going to a Who concert at the Boston Garden in the 70's. She came home early saying Kieth Moon had passed out and the concert was shortened. So sad. Still a legendary band. Moons drumming on the Quadrophenia album is solid.
Townshend was such a trooper the way he handled all of this. Love the segment 3:12 thru 3:37, especially when Pete gives a 'thumb's up' while he and Roger are literally dragging Moonie offstage; looks like something out of a Benny Hill skit ... just another episode of The Who in "Life with Moonie". But seriously, Pete's letter to Scot's widow following his death was such a class maneuver from such a class gentleman.
stay tuned for the next video 👍
What a great story. Plain and simple. Needed a drummer? Here is a drummer. Thanks guys! Had fun, God bless.
I was there. The best thing about that show was Lynyrd Skynrd and opened show blew us all away.
@MarkPowers - if that’s true then why the hell didn’t Skynard’s drummer come out & cover for Moonie? Maybe there was even a 3rd band on the bill that night
@@billlewis8711 He refused to play
Moonie did the same thing during a Boston show I attended. Opened with I can’t explain then fell off his drums. I think Daltry came out after awhile and said Keith can’t continue. That was the end of the show! Back then it was paper tickets. If you didn’t have your stub you couldn’t get into the rescheduled show a few weeks later. At that show they introduced The Who and Moonie came out by himself doing cartwheels. They did can’t explain again and then said I think this is where we left off!
I love how Pete tries to rouse Keith by hitting the Gong! 😂
👊💥🔔👍
Its great isn't it, wonderful desperation 🤣👍
That’s so sad man. Moon brought so much raw energy to the world of Rock n’ Roll. Thankfully someone was able to help the band carry on through the set.
Celebraties are often surrounded by yes men and woman. Who ultimately and inadvertently enable the celebrity. In their case. Moon.
l was very excited about the Quadrophenia album. Thought it was superb. l went to the Boston Garden to hear the album live. They got one and a half songs in and Pete announced from the stage "Keith Moon is sick. You don't want Keith to play when he's sick, do you?" End of concert. A buddy of mine was a Boston EMT at the time, and he was in the ambulance that took Keith to Mass General Hospital. He was on so many substances that the EMTs couldn't determine what was actually going on with him. He survived, obviously. l didn't keep my ticket stub so l couldn't go to the 'make up" concert, a while later. l felt Keith Moon's drumming on Q was brilliant, and he let me down that evening.
I recall my brother-in-law telling me of the night at the old Boston Garden when Keith was 'sick' and unable to perform. He said there was a near-riot on the floor when they announced the postponement. Fun times, the 70s!
Went thru similar w/ Moon in March 76 at Boston Garden- he fell over his drum kit,they announced he was sick,rescheduled for April,that's what happened when he got drunk!
Wow....!
What a story bomb to drop on your friends !
Lol...!
You did what.....?
May they all rest in peace !
♥️🥀♥️
A piece of Rock
History !
I was there. Interesting time. When show over, drove back to Berkeley. Turned on Stereo, Played the who! The Who you know... we all had a 'story'
Sadly we lost so many great artists to drugs and or alcohol .
I had known about this incident years ago but wasn't sure of the date. My first WHO show on December 2nd 1973 was a few days later in Montreal and that also was a story. The Who played the Montreal Forum their Fallout shelter concert with Lynyrd Skynyrd opening and after the show they ram sacked the Bonaventure hotel suite and ended up in jail. They finally made it out in time for their next show in Boston Gardens. But wow that was also a shocker for this tour. The gig went well though BTW.
That was every drummers dream moment.
👍
@@SteviesVinylCupboard And nightmare. How well do you know the song in the first place? Songs are often different live than studio versions, or even the last tour. You end up a hero or a zero. Thank goodness he was a hero.
@@MyMusic-cd3do Most musicians, regardless of talent level will never know the experience of playing a large concert event, so by that measure this was a once in a lifetime opportunity provided by a drummer who would rather enjoy horse tranquilizer.
I'd have to agree with the "nightmare" response. I've played drums for 50 years, and around 20 years ago I went to see a friend/former bandmate's new band play at a well attended venue, not an arena or anything, but ~300 in the crowd. When I arrived, he was running the sound and lights, but ran up to ask if I could play a set with the band. I said "Sure!", but hadn't rehearsed with the band or knew more than 2 names even. The set went well, except for not knowing their drummers kit at all, or the songs they wanted to play or, anything else for that matter. It was a little fun and mostly terrifying. :-) Gotta hand it to Scot Halpin.
@@Kentavious444 Just the way the music sounds as you are playing it with no rehearsal must have been so frightening. I wonder if he was high af as most of us would have been at a show back then.
Much props to the other three members of the Who that put up with Moon’s antics through the years.
My roommate Roger was the roadie with the Heil tee shirt who drug Keith to the side of the stage. He called me the next day and told me about it.
wow, please tell us more 👍
You can hear Pete asking "is everything okay?" around 2:08.
I love the context this has, great video
Thanks so much for spotting that and the compliment, much appreciated. I tried to give the video those little key moments to let it tell the story as it unfolds. Your comment says I had some success, cheers 👍
as a bass player, what a treat to hear Entwistle's naked bass lines and tone when Moon dropped out - solid as an Ox!
RIP Keith and Scott
👍❤️
The same thing happened with me at a Rolling Stones concert. Keith Richards was practically out cold, and Mick asked if anyone could play guitar, so I volunteered, and Mick Taylor loaned me one of his guitars. After the show, we all went backstage...and do you know who was there backstage that night? Hendrix! He had been jamming with Keith before the show, so we all partied a little and later Mick himself told me "I was as good as Taylor," and I "should head back to the hotel with us because we have some groupies there," but I had to go home because I had forgotten to take my lithium that evening.
Is that your story, and you're sticking to it?
@@jelink22 He left out the part about the Bengal tiger.
Sounds like a Joe Biden story.
I've been MitchellSpindells bff since high school. I can vouch for him. Plus I was with him that night
Life is full of remarkable stories. Leave it to the unhappy trolls to mock this one. I myself had run ins with Keith and Keith at different times in my life and different circumstances so I know that Mitchell’s story could be true. The people that were there remember and if it isn’t true it’s still a damn good story.
Wonderful story, thanks for sharing!
I live 60 miles east of COW PALACE, friends were there!
Good to know, cheers 👍
The best drummer the Who ever had.
Notice how the crowd cheers when Keith collapses. They were appreciative that Keith rocked so hard he worked himself into unconsciousness.
He was an incredibly nice guy. It was all back lighting on the stage I think due to his sensitive eyes. His drummer used an 18" bass drum. It sounded like a cannon in the P.A. I was amazed with his band overall! Those were the good old days when my band was working for East Coast Entertainment.
I never heard this story before. Totally cool, Scot!
This is why having a drum tech is so important. They will know all the songs and often times can play it better than the band member.
there you go. i'll bet that even Neil Peart's tech could do it better than Neil
There is footage of a FM show where Mick Fleetwood was so sick with the flu that his drum tech had to fill in, and of course he did fantastic....
@@jamesha175 Yeah, right! 🙃
BS
@@jamesha175 Of course they can. Elephant tranqs' helps a lot.
Sound better than the crap today long live ROCK 🇺🇸
Truly that was big , but thats what people in times of need an you never know who might that will be , good scot, i never met you an dont know an never will , but your truly a hero an some one special once again good job,
The pinnacle of Who chaos.
mmm debatable. There was the other situation on the Smothers Brothers show in 1967 when Keith loaded a small cannon with theatrical flash powder, but "then somehow" it got overloaded with gun powder. When it went off it filled the studio with smoke,, set Pete's hair on fire and deafened him (from which he didn't fully recover), and Loon received shrapnel from the cymbals.