Coolest Shit Ever: John Bonham And Led Zeppelin. BBC Show “I’m In A Rock n Roll Band” Features Bonzo
21 May, 2010 in Coolest Shit Ever, fnord, Led Zeppelin, music
Led Zeppelin is a passion of mine, as I’m sure you know, Youdopia. I have been a fan for almost 30 years now. John Bonham is one of the main reasons Led Zeppelin has maintained such prominence in the pantheon, three decades after his demise. He is arguably the best rock drummer ever. That’s a subjective assertion, but when you watch the video, from “I’m In A Rock n Roll Band” (a British show on BBC), you will see several great rock drummers… and Tommy Lee… discussing Bonzo. Jimi Hendrix said his “feet were like castanets” because one foot did the work of two. Bonzo only used one bass drum (aside from a very short stint in the Summer of 1969). All those amazing triplets are done with one foot. Holy Shit.
If you haven’t already, download the 6/21/77 concert I posted here, and listen to the drumming of a true prodigy. I found a site that has posted mp3′s of Bonzo’s isolated drum tracks, from the In Through The Out Door sessions. You can hear him grunt and mutter, and even hear some of the bleed from his headphones, as he plays amazing drums with that amazing force and tone. Fool In The Rain is genius. His music is the Coolest Shit Ever.
I have been arguing with RUSH fans for decades about John Bonham being the best rock drummer ever. Finally someone bothered enough to put it on the telly. Thank youdopia for the win. It was awesome. I watched it 4 times. I was deeply effected because John Bonham was only 32 when he died. Now that I am a decade older I see the waste of it all. It was such a waste.
Yep. It’s John Bonham. Ask Peart himself. There’s been a huge acceptance, and examination of Bonzo, in the professional music world. Jazz drummers have embraced him, especially since the advent of bittorrent and free live recordings. Peart is awesome, and technically he is insane b/c as he got older he learned a whole new drum technique from an old old swing drummer. It’s how can still maintain that level of intensity and force, well in to his 50′s and 60′s. He is, however, clockwork. He doesn’t swing.
Bonham was amazing. The level of sophistication in his playing increased throughout his life.
Agree with you both. Even though they are two completely different drummers, apples and oranges, comparisons seem inevitable. It’s easy for some folks to get hung up on Peart being the “better” drummer because of his technique and flash, but I don’t know if they recognize the technique that JB employed. I don’t hear NP matching JB’s level of feeling and authority, no way.
the best drummer to ever walk the earth in the best band that ever was
Thanks! I agree on both counts. Did you grab today’s free download? It’s 7/24/79 Copenhagen. One of their finest! Thank you for the comment!