Remembering John Bonham

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Remembering John Bonham
By Eric
Sep 22, 2010

It was 30 years ago Friday, on September 24, 1980, that the world of rock and roll lost perhaps its finest and most influential drummer of all time, John Bonham. Known for his rock-solid grooves, blinding speed, and innovative rhythms, Bonham’s death sent a shock wave through the music world and brought an end to one of the most successful rock bands of all time, Led Zeppelin. Today, we remember this giant of the drumming world who is still revered by just about anyone who ever picked up a pair of sticks.

Born on May 31, 1948, Bonham began drumming at the age of five, and was playing professionally by the time he was 14. His big break came in 1968, when at the age of 20, he was asked to join Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones in their new project called Led Zeppelin. Reluctant at first, (he was also being pursued by Joe Cocker) he eventually relented and joined, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Upon the passing of John Bonham, at the age of 32, the band issued the following statement:

“We wish it to be known that the loss of our dear friend and the deep respect we have for his family, together with the sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were.”

And with that, came the end of one of the biggest rock groups of all time. But while John Bonham may be gone, his memory still lives strong among fans and fellow drummers, who continue to consider him to be one of the best there ever was.