The Who's 1971 Hit 'Wont Get Fooled Again' Named Among Best Drum Solos of All Time

Keith Moon is frequently cited among the greatest drummers of all time, often stealing the spotlight from other musicians with his loud, driving percussion fills that give his music a propulsive energy from start to finish.

Moon was, perhaps, the unsung hero of The Who. While RogerDaltrey and Pete Townshend generally get the credit they deserve for their progressive lyricism and fierce guitar work, the band wouldn't have been anywhere near as successful without Moon's drumming.

"Won't Get Fooled Again" is arguably the best example of this. Written in 1971 by Townshend, the song is a high-energy rock track that closes their formative album, Who's Next, and has since become their go-to closing number at live concerts. The song was released in two versions: a shorter cut that was released as a single and reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, and an extended version that appears on Who's Next.

The song became incredibly popular for its daring, rebellious lyrics that shouted anger at the world and encouraged listeners not to acquiesce to social injustice and get "fooled" by the lies of the world. In John Atkins' book, The Who on Record: A Critical History, he recounts Townshend's claim that "Won't Get Fooled Again" was a song "...that screams defiance at those who feel any cause is better than no cause".

"Won't Get Fooled Again" sees each member of the Who playing on top form, whether it's Townshend's shrieking guitars or Keith Moon's dynamic percussion. This comes to a head roughly six minutes into the song, when the rest of the instruments fade into the background, and Moon fills the silence with a barrage of drum fills, cymbal crashes, and snare rolls.

It's an incredibly technical drum solo that's certainly not easy to play, but it's also very loud and energetic at the same time. It doesn't feel overly rehearsed, which helped build Moon's public image as a rebellious, creative drummer who innovated his own unique sound through his work in The Who.

The performance was named on Melodics' list of the greatest ever drum solos ever recorded, with the publication writing: "Moon's solo not only showcases his technical mastery, but also captures his larger-than-life personality and commanding stage presence. His drumming exudes a sense of rebelliousness, with every beat serving as a bold statement against conformity and the norm. This solo has solidified Moon's status as a true legend."

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 6:53 AM.