Editing Keith Moon (section)

===Early years===
Moon took lessons from one of the loudest contemporary drummers, [[Screaming Lord Sutch]]'s [[Carlo Little]], at ten [[shilling]]s per lesson.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1496340/Carlo-Little.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1496340/Carlo-Little.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live
|title=Obituaries: Carlo Little |access-date=30 August 2013 |date=17 August 2005 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> His early style was influenced by [[jazz]], American [[surf music]] and [[rhythm and blues]], exemplified by noted Los Angeles studio drummer [[Hal Blaine]]. His favourite musicians were jazz artists, particularly [[Gene Krupa]] (whose flamboyant style he subsequently copied).{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=237}} He also admired [[Elvis Presley]]'s original drummer [[DJ Fontana]], [[The Shadows]]' original drummer [[Tony Meehan]]{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=11}} and [[the Pretty Things]]' [[Viv Prince]].{{sfn|Neill|Kent|2009|p=100}} Moon also enjoyed singing, with a particular interest in [[Motown]].<ref name="amazingjourney">{{Cite AV media |title=Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who |publisher=Universal Pictures Video |asin=B000WBP282 |date=26 November 2007}}</ref> Moon idolised [[the Beach Boys]];{{sfn|Bogovich|Posner|2003|page=24}} [[Roger Daltrey]] later said that given the opportunity, Moon would have left to play for the California band even at the peak of the Who's fame.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/50277/roger-daltrey-keith-moon-wouldve-left-the-who-for-the-beach-boys |title=Roger Daltrey: 'Keith Moon Would've Left The Who for The Beach Boys' |last1=Colothan |first1=Scott |date=2 April 2009 |website=Gigwise |access-date=28 April 2013}}</ref>

During this time Moon joined his first serious band, the Escorts, replacing his best friend Gerry Evans.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=38}} In December 1962 he joined the Beachcombers, a semi-professional London [[cover band]] playing hits by groups such as The Shadows.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|p=46}} During his time in the group Moon incorporated theatrical tricks into his act, including "shooting" the group's lead singer with a [[starting pistol|starter pistol]].{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|pp=48–66}} The Beachcombers all had day jobs; Moon, who worked in the sales department at [[British Gypsum]], had the keenest interest in turning professional. In April 1964, aged 17,{{sfn|Case|2010|p=146}} he auditioned for the Who as a replacement for [[Doug Sandom]]. The Beachcombers continued as a local cover band after his departure.{{sfn|Fletcher|1998|pp=71–75}}