Keith Moon (45)

Keith Moon
1946-1978
Hyperactive Who drummer
Cause of Death: Choked on vomit after OD on pills

Who Went First: Neither Moon's early death nor the fact that he left an estate valued at just $750,000 was surprising for a rock superstar who spent his extensive off-time between Who tours and albums partying and spending hard. He died intestate, making it difficult for his daughter, Amanda, to collect what she could have. But even though Pete Townshend wrote almost all the Who's songs, today they're licensed so widely and lucratively--in commercials for cars, computers and allergy medicine as well as the title music for all three CSI TV shows--that Moon's share likely exceeds seven figures.
Peer Plaudits: Though widely recognized by other drummers as a unique stylist and breathtaking performer, Moon remains best-known as the godfather of nihilistic rock-star excess--and for a career of stripping naked in airports, destroying hotel rooms and drum kits and consuming record quantities of alcohol and pharmaceuticals.
Give the Drummer Some: Bandmate Roger Daltrey's 10-year quest to produce a biopic of Moon finally bore fruit last October when Mike Myers agreed to handle the role.