Jimmy Page Remembers Iconic Drummer Bandmate John Bonham
Wednesday, 02 June 2010
Written by Jon Stickler
The Iconic former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page has paid tribute to legendary drummer and ex-bandmate John Bonham, who died nearly thirty years ago.
Influencing many of today’s best drummers, John Bonham was an incredible force behind the kit. Mixing jazz with rock and thundering through classic Zep songs such as ‘Immigrant Song’ and ‘Rock n Roll’, he has been cited as inspiration by the likes of Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and Lars Ulrich of Metallica.
Sadly, matching his drumming talent with his attitude for some wild times, the drummer’s self-destructive streak got the better of him in 1980 when he passed away after a heavy drinking session.
Paying tribute to the late drummer, former bandmate Jimmy Page told the BBC that John Bonham was the best drummer of his generation. The guitarist explained, "He was head and shoulders over everyone around him in his teens. He kept finessing his technique and his vision of the drums, he had a definite vision."
Led Zeppelin was shattered on hearing the news of Bonham’s death. Feeling that the band was unable to carry on without their drummer, Zeppelin split. The three remaining members of the group, Robert Plan, Jimmy Page and John Paul-Jones reformed Led Zeppelin temporarily for a one-off charity show in London in 2008. John Bonham’s son, Jason Bonham, carried out duties on the drums and played a spectacular set doing his father proud as well as many lucky fans that got tickets for the show.
Continuing with his respects for Bonham, Jimmy Page also spoke about the drummer’s extraordinary skill. "It's without doubt that his technique was beyond everybody else's and that's why he's so looked to, and looked back to, with such reverence and love because he was absolutely extraordinary."
Page and Bonham met in London, when the drummer was backing the American singer Tim Rose. "The reputation of John Bonham hadn't really come outside of the Midlands but he got this gig with Tim Rose and was playing in London..."
Continuing Page explained how Bonham was definitely the drummer for Zeppelin. "I heard him and I thought he's definitely the drummer to try and pull onboard. It was his attitude to his playing, but the dynamics as well that was the key to what I was going to try and get together in this Zeppelin band".
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