Bonzo clatters, rattles, shakes and bangs his way into percussive immortality. * Yes seeing is believing – superbly restored for the 2003 DVD this is 15 minutes of sheer percussive brilliance. Hear It: Led Zeppelin DVD (Warner Music Vision) John Paul Jones said: ‘’I’ve seen all three James Brown drummers stand around him at the Newport Festival in disbelief wondering how one guy does what all three of them did’’ From the moment Bonzo warms up the kit through the frenzied opening and ride cymbal onslaught. We’re Gonna Groove (Live Royal Albert Hall 1970) You get an absolute true drum sound because there’s no wood involved’’ John Bonham said: ‘’You get a lovely little tone out of the drums that you couldn’t get with the sticks.
* The pitter patter of bare hands against drum dominates throughout. One of one of their most potent studio moments and perhaps Bonzo’s best studio performance.Ĭlock the percussive perfection: Where else but that battering ram snare roll at 3.02 that leads into Page’s solo People didn’t take notice of drums until Krupa came along’’ He came out and played the drums much louder than they ever had before. John Bonham said :‘’Gene Krupa was the first big band drummer to be really noticed. * An early live fave of course with that stimulating Gene Krupa inspired jazzy opening. How Many More Times (Live BBC Playhouse Theatre 1969) He’s playing brilliantly on everything else but this is right out of the norm – playing a bass drum pattern that no one else has ever heard.’’ Jimmy Page said: ‘’In terms of John’s playing, a big point of reference is Good Time Bad Times. That pioneering use of bass drum triplets heralded the arrival of a very special drummer.(DL) *From the dramatic two beat opening, John Bonham puts the whole kit through its paces. Hear it: Robert Plant – Sixty Six To Timbuktu (Atlantic) It was like ‘’Here I am everybody: somebody get me in a really big band quick -I want to get away from Plant!‘’
Bonzo’s doing a lot of those drum figures and fills which were quite popular with drummers like Carmine Appice all that virtuoso drumming. Robert Plant said: ‘’You can hear Zeppelin in there. * Another early recorded remnants of the teenage Bonham with the Band Of Joy and fellow Midlander one Robert Plant. There’s plenty of busy fills on this Twist and Shoutish typical mid 60s beat boom outing. The earliest appearance on record of the young John Bonham on record. Along with countless fans around the world I will be indulging in many of these remarkable performances as we remember the man who still remains at the heart and soul of Led Zeppelin…Īlways loved…Always remembered… Always played… To mark the 39th anniversary of his passing, I’ve rounded up 39 examples of his percussive perfection. Remembering John Bonham 39 years gone today…