John Bonham

John Bonham

John Henry "Bonzo" Bonham (May 31 1948 – September 25, 1980), was an English drummer and member of the rock band Led Zeppelin. During his Led Zeppelin years, Bonham became one of the most respected and influential drummers of the time.

He was a trap drum kit player, and was renowned for his technical abilities and "feel" for the groove. Perhaps best known for his raw power, attitude and his special approach to hard rock and heavy metal drumming, Bonham's playing ability would become the comparison standard for every rock drummer who has followed him.

Early years

Bonham was born in Redditch, Worcestershire, England. He first learned how to play drums at the age of five, making a drum kit out of containers and coffee tins, and copying the moves of his idols Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. He received his first proper drum kit at the age of fourteen, a Premier Percussion.

After leaving Wiltan House public school, he worked for his father Jack Bonham in the construction industry in between drumming for different local bands. In 1964, Bonham joined his first band, Terry Webb and the Spiders, meeting his future wife Pat Phillips at a dance in Kidderminster. He also played in other Birmingham bands such as The Blue Star Trio and The Senators, who released a moderately successful single "She's a Mod". Bonham enjoyed the experience and decided to take up drumming full-time. Two years later, he joined A Way of Life; however, the band soon became inactive. In desperation for a regular income, he joined a blues group called Crawling King Snakes whose lead singer was a young Robert Plant. During this period, Bonham developed a reputation as the loudest drummer in England, often breaking drumheads and being asked by clubs to stop playing. Asked to leave one Birmingham studio because he was too loud for the owner, he was told that there was no future for a drummer as loud as him. Ten years later, the owner received a note reading "Thanks for the career advice..."; and accompanied by a Led Zeppelin gold record. By 1967, A Way of Life asked Bonham to return to their group, during this period Plant kept in constant contact with Bonham and when he decided to form Band Of Joy, Bonham was first choice as drummer. The band recorded a number of demos but no album. In 1968 American singer Tim Rose toured Britain and invited Band of Joy to open his concerts. When Rose returned for another tour months later, Bonham was formally invited by the singer to drum for his band which gave him a regular income. Along with Rose, singers Joe Cocker and Chris Farlowe had also sought out Bonham to play in their touring bands.

Led Zeppelin

Main article: Led Zeppelin

When Jimmy Page wanted to start a band in the wake of The Yardbirds break-up, his first choice for singer was Terry Reid, however Reid had already signed with Mickie Most for a solo career. Reid suggested Robert Plant, who in turn suggested Bonham, who had already drummed with Plant and knew Page from session work, as well as John Paul Jones. Page's choice for drummer included Procol Harum's B.J. Wilson, session drummers Clem Cattini and Aynsley Dunbar. Ginger Baker was also rumoured to be on Page's list. After seeing Bonham drum for Tim Rose in Hampstead, north London, in July 1968, Page and manager Peter Grant were convinced that Bonham was the perfect fit for the new project.

During Led Zeppelin's first tour of the United States in December 1968, Bonham became friends with Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice. Appice introduced him to Ludwig drums, which he then used for the rest of his career. Bonham used the longest and heaviest sticks available, which he referred to as "trees". His hard hitting style was displayed to great effect on "Immigrant Song" (Led Zeppelin III), "When the Levee Breaks" (Led Zeppelin IV/), "The Ocean" (Houses of the Holy), and "Achilles Last Stand" (Presence). The studio recording of "Misty Mountain Hop" perfectly captures his keen sense of dynamics. On several cuts from later albums, Bonham rather adeptly handled funk and Latin-influenced drumming. Songs like "Royal Orleans" and "Fool in The Rain" are good examples; the latter displaying great skill with a New Orleans shuffle and a salsa rhythm.

His drum solos, first "Pat's Delight" and "Bonzo's Montreux" and then later "Moby Dick" and finally "Over the Top", would often last for half-an-hour and regularly featured his use of bare hands to achieve different sound effects. On Led Zeppelin tours after 1969 he would expand his basic kit to include congas, orchestral timpani, and a symphonic gong. Bonham is also credited (by the Dallas Times Herald) with the first in-concert use of electronic timpani drum synthesizers (most likely made by Syndrum) during a performance of the song "Kashmir" in Dallas, Texas in 1977. Many modern rap artists would later heavily sample his drumming and incorporate it into their composition, such as the Beastie Boys, who sampled The Ocean and When the Levee Breaks'.'

In 1974, Bonham appeared in the film Son of Dracula, playing drums in Count Downe's (Harry Nilsson) backing band. This was an Apple film made by Ringo Starr. Bonham appeared in an overcrowded drum line-up including Keith Moon and Starr on the soundtrack album. Bonham's action sequence for the film The Song Remains the Same featured him in a drag race at Santa Pod speedway to the sound of his signature drum solo, "Moby Dick". During his time with Led Zeppelin, Bonham was also an avid collector of antique sports cars and motorcycles, which he kept on his family's farm called The Old Hyde. He even bought a pub in the nearby village of Shenstone; which shows signs of conversion work to allow him to drive his bikes or cars right behind the bar. This was not, however, the pub featured in the film The Song Remains the Same.

As well as recording with Led Zeppelin, Bonham also found time to play on sessions for other artists. In 1970, Bonham drummed for Screaming Lord Sutch on his album Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends. Bonham also drummed for his Birmingham friend, Roy Wood, on his 1979 album, On the Road Again, and for Paul McCartney's Wings on their Back to the Egg Rockestra project.

He also plays drums on Lulu's 1971 song "Everybody's Got To Clap", originally written by Maurice Gibb and Billy Lawrie.

Bonham's son Jason Bonham has played with Led Zeppelin on at least two occasions, and has gone on to have a successful drumming career.

Death

File:Bonhamjohn.jpg

Bonham's gravesite

On September 24, 1980, Bonham was picked up by Led Zeppelin assistant Rex King from The Old Hyde to be at rehearsals at Bray Studios for the upcoming tour of the United States, the band's first since 1977. During the journey Bonham had asked to stop for breakfast, where he downed four quadruple vodkas (roughly sixteen shots (~8dl) of vodka), with a ham roll. After taking a bite of the ham roll he said to his assistant 'Breakfast.' He then continued to drink when he arrived at the studio. A halt was called to the rehearsals late in the evening and the band retired to Page's house — The Old Mill House in Clewer, Windsor. After midnight, Bonham had fallen asleep and was taken to bed on his side. It was rumored that he had a total of forty shots that night. Robert Plant's assistant Benji LeFevre and John Paul Jones found him dead the next morning. Bonham was just 32.

The cause of death was asphyxiation caused by choking on his own vomit. A subsequent coroner inquest found no other drugs in Bonham's body. John Bonham was cremated and a funeral was held on October 10th, 1980 at Rushock, Worcestershire parish church near The Old Hyde farm. A picture of his gravestone can be seen above.

The stone reads,

"Cherished memories of a loving husband and father,

John Henry Bonham

Who died Sept. 25th 1980.

He will always be remembered in our hearts,

Goodnight my Love, God Bless."

Despite rumours that Cozy Powell, Carmine Appice, Simon Kirke, or Bev Bevan would join the group as his replacement, the remaining members disbanded Led Zeppelin after Bonham's death. They issued a statement, once and for all clarifying that the band would not continue without its irreplaceable drummer...."We wish it to be known that the loss of our dear friend and the deep sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were".

Legacy

Bonham's work behind the drum kit has influenced nearly every hard rock and heavy metal drummer since. His signature style was a steady rhythmic beat that swung with enormous amounts of feel, explosive fills, and a unique sense of syncopation between the bass and snare drums. He has also immortalized the bass drum triplet, as heard in Good Times, Bad Times, and many other Led Zeppelin songs. Not only was he recognised for this hard-hitting style, but many songs showcase his enormously ranging talents with the drums; he incorporated Latin Rumba rhythms and New Orleans Funk rhythms, as well as using a huge assortment of drums and techniques. All this combined with his sheer attack made Bonham immediately recognisable to the listener. This trademark sound has become famous among fans and musicians alike and was one of the defining elements that propelled Led Zeppelin musically and commercially. To this day, Bonham is revered not only as a defining rock drummer, but as one of the most respected drummers of any genre.

John Bonham's young sister, Debbie Bonham, is a singer. His younger brother, Mick Bonham (died 2000), was a disc jockey and respected photographer. Bonham's son, Jason Bonham (born 1966), also became a rock drummer, and has toured in the few concerts Led Zeppelin has done since Bonham's death as the drummer. Jason is the current drummer for the rock band Foreigner, and was on the Vh1 hit show Super Group. Bonham's daughter, Zoe Bonham, appears regularly at Led Zeppelin conventions and awards. In 2005, they appeared at the Grammy Awards to collect their father's Lifetime Achievement award. On May 21, 2006 Zoe Bonham appeared, with other special guests, in a tribute concert in Stockholm, Sweden to celebrate Led Zeppelin being awarded the Swedish Polar Music Prize.

Gear

1. Pre Zeppelin Kit (?-'68): Ludwig Super Classic Green Sparkle, 14"x22" Bass Drum, 16"x16" Floor Tom, 9" x13" Rack Tom (rail mount) , 5" x14" Supra Phonic Snare.

2. Early Zeppelin U.S Hire Kit ('68): Ludwig Black Diamond Pearl, 14"x24" Bass Drum, 16"x18" & 16"x16" Floor Toms, 9" x13" Rack Tom, 20's/30's COB Tube Lug Snare.

3. Carmine Appice's Ludwig first endorsement kit, Ludwig Thermo Gloss Natural Maple, 14"x26" Bass Drum, 2nd Bass Drum used for some U.S 69"tour. Jimmy page made Bonham get rid of the second bass because he was drowning everyone out, 16"x18" & 16"x16" Floor Toms, 12"x14" Rack Tom (Mounted on snare stand), 6.5"x14" Chrome Supraphonic Snare 402 series, Two 12" Ludwig Congas, Ludwig Gold Tone Cowbell.

4. "The" Studio Kit ('70-75'): Ludwig Green Sparkle, 14"x26" Bass Drum, 16"x18" & 16"x16" Floor Toms, 10"x14" Rack Tom, 6.5"x14" Chrome Supraphonic Snare 402 series, Ludwig 29" Machine Tympani(int.72), Ludwig 30" Universal Tympani(int.72).

5. The "Song Remains The Same Kit" ('73-'75): Ludwig Amber Vistalite, 14"x26" Bass Drum, 16"x18" & 16"x16" Floor Toms, 16"x18"&18"x20"FToms used during TSRTS film, 10"x14" Rack Tom, 6.5"x14" Chrome Supraphonic Snare 402 series, Ludwig 29" Machine Tympani(int.72), Ludwig 30" Universal Tympani(int.72), Ralph Kester Ching Ring, Remo C.S Black Dot Heads.

6. Bonhams Final Kit ('77-'80): Ludwig Stainless Steel, 14"x26" Bass Drum, 16"x16"& 16"x18" Floor Toms, 12"X14" changed to a 12"x15" Rack Tom with Mach lugs, 6.5"x14" Chrome Supraphonic Snare 402 series. This Kit was donated to the Hard Rock Cafe in London, England after his death.

Bonham used a Ludwig Speed King bass drum pedal, often with a wood beater (only on the Stainless Steel Kit).

Bonzo used Paiste Giant Beat Cymbals up until 1972, then he changed to what is now the 2002 series which he used for the rest of his career.

His usual setup consisted of: 15" Sound-edge Hi-Hats, 18" Medium Crash on left, 20" Medium Crash On Right, 24" Medium Ride, 38" Paiste Symphonic Gong.

He also had a 16" medium crash (seen on the Led Zeppelin DVD in the Tous En Scene Segment), 18" Medium Ride and a 22" Crash/Ride among others he would use on rare occasions.

Trivia

• Bonham, unlike contemparary innovators, did not constantly use a double-bass drum. He did once own one, but removed it from his kit when Jimmy Page and the rest of the band decided that it was drowning everything out.
• He stood 5'10.5 (1.79 m) tall.

External links

• Led Zeppelin Official Site
• The 23 John Henry Bonham Drum Outtakes
• John Bonham's Gravesite
• Drummerworld page with video and audio
• Brief solo on YouTube

References

• Bonham, Mick (2005). John Bonham: The Powerhouse Behind Led Zeppelin. Southbank Publishing. ISBN 1904915116
• Bonham, Mick (2003). Bonham by Bonham: My Brother John. Solihull: Icarus Publications. ISBN 0-9545717-0-3
• Welch, Chris & Nicholls, Geoff (2001). John Bonham: A Thunder of Drums. San Francisco: Backbeat Books. ISBN 0-87930-6580