Jeff Wayne reveals the moment he found out that Keith Moon had died

14 October 2025, 10:16 | Updated: 14 October 2025, 10:26

Jeff Wayne on working with Phil Lynott and Roger Daltrey

By Mayer Nissim

Jeff Wayne worked with all members of The Who after Keith Moon's sad passing.

Loading audio...

Jeff Wayne has opened up about the moment he learned that The Who's drummer Keith Moon had died.

After years of struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, Keith died on September 7, 1978 from an overdose of clomethiazole, a sedative he had been prescribed to treat his drinking problem.

After Keith's passing and before they reconvened in the studio for Face Dances, producer Jeff Wayne worked with all surviving members of The Who.

Those sessions took place for Roger Daltrey's solo McVicar album, the soundtrack to the film of the same name, which also featured The Who's Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and their replacement drummer Kenney Jones, but the musicians weren't credited under their band's name on the record.

Watch the full interview above

Speaking to Gold in the Red Weed bar of the Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience, which recently won a Guinness World Record for the longest-running musical immersive theatre production, Wayne spoke about the moment he learned that Moon had died.

"I was on a major Australian entertainment programme when The War of the Worlds first came out," Wayne said.

"It was just about to hit number one there."

The Who - Who Are You (Promo Video)

He continued: "We went to a commercial break and there was an announcement over the intercom on the TV set that Keith Moon had just passed.

"I thought, 'Crumbs', not knowing that however many years later I was going to be working with The Who on McVicar and Kenney coming in to take over where Keith had left off."

On whether he would have liked to have produced an actual record by The Who, Wayne said that despite working with the members on the McVicar soundtrack "it's not an opportunity that ever came my way".

Roger Daltrey - Free Me

In his interview, Wayne also spoke about his memories of working with Thin Lizzy rock god Phil Lynott, who played Parson Nathaniel on the original double album version Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds.

"As to rock 'n' roll, I know the reputation he had," Wayne said.

"The chap that I worked with was this very sensitive soul who had a great sense of humour.

Jeff Wayne, Richard Burton - The Red Weed, Pt. 2 (Official Audio)

"I have very fond memories of working with him and having been blessed by his performance."

He added that whenever he is in Dublin he makes a point of visiting the Bruxelles pub and raising a pint of Guinness to the statute of Phil that's placed there in thanks for being his Parson Nathaniel.

Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience continues in London and tickets are available now.