Bell Boy by The Who

Album: Quadrophenia (1973)

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Songfacts®:

This is Keith Moon's song on Quadrophenia, which centers on a character with four personalities, each one representing a different member of The Who. "Bell Boy" is about the main character Jimmy meeting an old mod "Ace Face," or leader. However, he finds out that the Ace Face has given up music, and now he works at a hotel (as a bell boy) that a mod gang happened to destroy a few years back. Keith Moon does some of the vocals on the song. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Bryan - New York, NY
Keith Moon's drumming is prominent on this track. Ron Nevison, the engineer on Quadrophenia, told Songfacts what it was like recording him. "The biggest problem with Keith on the drums was finding a place to put the microphones," he said. "He had so many drums - two hi-hats, two kick drums, six or eight tom-toms - it was challenging just to get in there to get the snare drum covered."

Comments: 7

Harvey from East Of My Capital = London England I was lucky to see the Who - with keith - a number of times but to hear & see him do bell boy that will be a lasting memory - for no- one can ever (in my opinion) recreate the one and only Keith Moon - who had his own built in metronome within him.
George from Los Angeles, CaliforniaIn the song when Keith Moon sings "Bell Boy", that is part in the movie Quadrophenia when Jimmy sees Ace Face and yells "Bell Boy" in disgrace and disappointment.
Ben from Glen Rock , NjThe album in general was the story of a man with four personalities, each one modeled after a different band member. This was Keith's personality in Jimmy being shown.
Roy from Granbania, MaI must agree. Keith Moon is the greatest drummer of all time. He created his own style, and did things that changed the way people viewed the instument. And, above all, he was fast and always doing something amazing, whether the drum part was prominent or not.
Brad from Lexington, KyHaha Keith Moon rocks. Best drummer ever. Not the best singer though, but that's what makes his voice perfect for this song. Keith Moon described his personality in the Quadrophenia booklet as "a bloody lunatic, I'll even carry your bags."
Carolina from Palm Springs, Cai just love this song!!
keith moon rocks, i don't know why they didn't let him sing in other songs :P
Lester from New York City, Ny"I've got a job and newly born, you should see me dressed up in my uniform."

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