So many stories have been told about Keith Moon, the original drummer with The Who: tales of drink and drugs, Rolls Royces in swimming pools, smashed-up hotel rooms and exploding drum kits.

But fan and author Ian Snowball knew there must have been another side.

He said: “I’ve played the drums myself since I was 12, and as a drummer it is very difficult not to be in awe of Keith Moon, he was such a masterful musician.”

Mr Snowball, 46, who works in young people’s services with KCC, decided to investigate. The result after 18 months of research is a book entitled: “A Tribute To Keith Moon: There is no substitute.”

The book has topped the Amazon best-seller list and has been a hit across the world.

Mr Snowball from Salisbury Road, Maidstone, said: “We’ve heard so much about the dark side of Moon; I wanted to do the other side.”

His first step was to arrange an interview with Moon’s replacement as The Who’s drummer: Ken Jones. Originally with the Small Faces, Jones took over after Moon’s death from a drug overdose in 1978.

Mr Snowball said: “Kenney invited me down to his polo club in Surrey and we spent three or four hours on a beautiful sunny afternoon, just chatting about Keith, about the 60s and about drumming.”

From there, Mr Snowball tracked down other artists who knew Keith Moon or were influenced by him. His book contains 70 interviews with the likes of Clem Burke (Blondie), Don Powell (Slade), Mick Avory (The Kinks), Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake and Palmer), Jim McCarty (The Yardbirds) and John Coglan (Status Quo), as well as with people who knew Moon in his early days: his flat-mate Richard Barnes, his personal assistant Dougal Butler, his chauffeur John Mears, and Who tour manager Richard Cole.

Mr Snowball said: “I was very lucky to have a long interview with Jack Bruce of Cream, who was himself a fantastic drummer, but was a great admirer of Moon. Sadly Jack died just three weeks after my interview.”

For the past 10 years, Mr Snowball has himself played drums with 60’s-style soul band, Aunt Nelly. He said: “Moon had an amazing talent - and that’s what comes out in my book.”

The book that has been written with the sanction of the Keith Moon Estate and contains several hundred unique photos of Moon and The Who on and off stage.

*A Tribute To Keith Moon is published by Omnibus Press: ISBN:978.1.78558.148.9