A Small Moment in History: The London 2012 Olympics Ceremony's Impossible Plan A

Credit: Michael Putland/Getty Images
On this day in 2012, organizers for the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony contacted The Who's Manager, Bill Curbishley, asking if the band's late drummer, Keith Moon, could perform. 

"I emailed back saying Keith now resides in Golders Green crematorium, having lived up to The Who's anthemic line 'I hope I die before I get old.'"Curbishley then adds, "If they have a round table, some glasses and candles, we might contact him."

Moon had been dead for 34 years at this point. He died in September of 1978 following an accidental overdose on Heminevrin, a prescription drug used to help those recovering from alcoholism. Artists who were alive enough to perform that night included Duran Duran, Stereophonics, Snow Patrol, and Paolo Nutini, who represented the four nations of the United Kingdom. There was also a flypast performed over Hyde Park where the concert was taking place as well as the Olympic Stadium performed by the Red Arrows at 20:12 (or 8:12) PM.

Hey there! I'm Olive, and I'm a part-time blog writer hoping to share my love of older music and countercultural history. I started this blog during my freshman year of college as a means to get a head start doing what I love most - writing. I've always loved writing and music, and wanted to do something that would involve doing both. Now, I've got this cool (totally not biased) blog page!

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