John Bonham - 30 Years Gone.

This past Saturday (09.25) marked the 30th anniversary of the death of John Bonham and essentially the death of Led Zeppelin as we knew it.

Though alot of "kiddiez" disagree with me. One of the best drummers ever. What he played may sound simple, the timing of it is what sets the man apart. I struggled and have to keep my chops up to play it correctly. What he did with his footwork on late 60's pedals is beyond compare. He wasn't ever sloppy onstage. That can't be said about his 60's peers...Moon, Baker, and Mitchell. RIP Bonzo

James B. wrote:

Though alot of "kiddiez" disagree with me. One of the best drummers ever. What he played may sound simple, the timing of it is what sets the man apart. I struggled and have to keep my chops up to play it correctly. What he did with his footwork on late 60's pedals is beyond compare. He wasn't ever sloppy onstage. That can't be said about his 60's peers...Moon, Baker, and Mitchell. RIP Bonzo

The "kiddies" don't know anything except lightning chops...and they mistake chops for musical talent. Chops are all mechanical, a robot could be programmed to play impressive chops...but to make it musical, that's a much rarer gift.

Bonham was a MONSTER player, able to tackle all the musical variations that Zep experimented with and never sounded out of place. He could "funk it up" with the best of them too, he plays some seriously sick grooves on Houses Of The Holy and Physical Graffiti.

Near the top of my favorite drummers list, alongside contemporaries like Bill Ward, Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cobham, Bill Bruford, etc.

detuned wrote:

James B. wrote:

Though alot of "kiddiez" disagree with me. One of the best drummers ever. What he played may sound simple, the timing of it is what sets the man apart. I struggled and have to keep my chops up to play it correctly. What he did with his footwork on late 60's pedals is beyond compare. He wasn't ever sloppy onstage. That can't be said about his 60's peers...Moon, Baker, and Mitchell. RIP Bonzo

The "kiddies" don't know anything except lightning chops...and they mistake chops for musical talent. Chops are all mechanical, a robot could be programmed to play impressive chops...but to make it musical, that's a much rarer gift.

Bonham was a MONSTER player, able to tackle all the musical variations that Zep experimented with and never sounded out of place. He could "funk it up" with the best of them too, he plays some seriously sick grooves on Houses Of The Holy and Physical Graffiti.

Near the top of my favorite drummers list, alongside contemporaries like Bill Ward, Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cobham, Bill Bruford, etc.

Nothing I can add to this statement except I agree 100 %

Well, I've always thought he was overrated but his work on 'Presence' especially on 'Achilles Last Stand' was great.

What finally hipped me to Bonham was listening to jazz for many years. Then after my little grey cells were acclimated to jazz style drumming...people like Bonham, Mitchell & Baker made alot more sense to me.

I can't speak from a technical view, but for me Bonham was the first drummer that made me notice the drummer as more that just the guy in the back that keeps the beat. He brought the drums out into the forefront of rock music and made them just as important (and loud) as the guitars and singers.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I can't speak from a technical view, but for me Bonham was the first drummer that made me notice the drummer as more that just the guy in the back that keeps the beat. He brought the drums out into the forefront of rock music and made them just as important (and loud) as the guitars and singers.

That's also a completely accurate observation.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I can't speak from a technical view, but for me Bonham was the first drummer that made me notice the drummer as more that just the guy in the back that keeps the beat. He brought the drums out into the forefront of rock music and made them just as important (and loud) as the guitars and singers.

I agree with this as well. Although he's not a fav of mine, the man knew his way around the kit and put his stamp on numerous ZEP songs.

detuned wrote:

What finally hipped me to Bonham was listening to jazz for many years. Then after my little grey cells were acclimated to jazz style drumming...people like Bonham, Mitchell & Baker made alot more sense to me.

I have always been a huge fan of Mitch Mitchell and Ginger Baker, I guess all the Proto Metal drummers I've heard have made me feel lukewarm about Bonzo I don't know but I do agree with MetalGuy71 that he brought drums/drummers more into the forefront.

Bonham was great. RIP