John Bonham
John Bonham in 1970
Background information
Birth name	John Henry Bonham
Also known as	Bonzo
Born	31 May 1948(1948-05-31) Redditch, Worcestershire, England
Died	25 September 1980 (aged 32) Clewer, Windsor, England
Genre(s)	Hard rock, heavy metal, blues-rock, folk rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)	Drums, Timpani, Gong
Years active	1964-1980
Label(s)	Atlantic, Swan Song
Associated acts	Led Zeppelin, Band of Joy, Terry Web and the Spiders
Website	www.ledzeppelin.com

John Henry "Bonzo" Bonham (May 31, 1948 – September 25, 1980) was an English drummer and member of the band Led Zeppelin. He was renowned for his power, fast right foot, distinctive sound and "feel" for the groove. Bonham is described by the Encyclopædia Britannica as "the perfect model for all hard rock drummers that have followed him".^[1] Image File history File links JohnBonham. ... is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Redditch is a town and local government district in north-east Worcestershire, England. ... For the condiment, see Worcestershire sauce. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Map sources for Clewer at grid reference TQ073693 Clewer is an area of Windsor, Berkshire, United Kingdom. ... This article is about the English town. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Hard Rock redirects here. ... Heavy metal redirects here. ... Blues Rock or Blues-rock is a fusion genre of music which combines elements of the blues with rock and roll. ... Bob Dylans folk-rock album, Blonde on Blonde Folk-rock is a musical genre, combining elements of folk music and rock music. ... For the popular-music magazine, see Musician (magazine). ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making music. ... For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ... A timpanist in the United States Air Forces in Europe Band. ... A gong is one of a wide variety of metal percussion instruments. ... In the music industry, a record label can be a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ... Swan Song Records was a record label launched by Led Zeppelin on May 10, 1974. ... For the bands 1969 eponymous debut album, see Led Zeppelin (album). ... Band Of Joy were a 1960s rock band from Birmingham, England. ... is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... For the comic book character, see Drummer (comics). ... For the bands 1969 eponymous debut album, see Led Zeppelin (album). ... Groove is a popular music term, used in the sense of rhythm, for meter_(music) and its embellishment by a rhythm section. ... The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. ...

Life and career

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. His mother Joan gave him a snare drum at the age of ten, and he received his first proper drum kit at the age of fifteen, a Premier Percussion kit. The drummer - nicknamed 'Bonzo' after the dog in a British comic strip^[2] - never took any drum lessons though as a teen would knock on the doors of other drummers and ask for advice. Redditch is a town and local government district in north-east Worcestershire, England. ... For the condiment, see Worcestershire sauce. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973) was a famous and influential American jazz and big band drummer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style. ... Bernard Buddy Rich (September 30, 1917 Brooklyn, New York – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments, such as a cowbell, wood block, chimes or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... Premier Percussion Limited is a Leicestershire-based manufacturer of drums and percussion instruments. ...

After leaving Wiltan House public school (some sources say he attended Bedford Modern), 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 Nicky James Movement, 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, but 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. Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... , Kidderminster is a town in the Wyre Forest district of Worcestershire, England. ... This article is about the British city. ... Blues music redirects here. ... Robert Anthony Plant (born August 20, 1948, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England), is an English rock singer and songwriter, famous for his membership in the rock band Led Zeppelin as the lead vocalist, as well as for his successful solo career. ...

In 1967, A Way of Life asked Bonham to return to their group, and he agreed — though throughout this period, Plant kept in constant contact with Bonham. When Plant 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. Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... Band Of Joy were a 1960s rock band from Birmingham, England. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Timothy Alan Patrick Rose (September 23, 1940 – September 24, 2002) was an American singer-songwriter. ... Band Of Joy were a 1960s rock band from Birmingham, England. ...

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. Bonham had already drummed with Plant, and knew Page from session work, as well as John Paul Jones. Page's choices for drummer included Procol Harum's B.J. Wilson, and session drummers Clem Cattini and Aynsley Dunbar. Ginger Baker was also rumoured to be on Page's list. However, upon seeing Bonham drum for Tim Rose in Hampstead, north London, in July 1968, Page and manager Peter Grant were instantly convinced that he was the perfect fit for the new project. For the bands 1969 eponymous debut album, see Led Zeppelin (album). ... For the Scottish football (soccer) player, see Jimmy Page (footballer). ... Not to be confused with Yard Birds. ... Terry Reid (born 13 November 1949, Huntingdon, England) is a rock singer and guitarist noted for his soulful voice in the same vein as contemporaries Paul Rodgers and Rod Stewart. ... Mickie Most, born Michael Peter Hayes (20 June1938–30 May2003), was a successful English record producer, notably with a string of Number One hit singles with his own RAK Recordsand acts such as The Animals, Hermans Hermits, Donovan, and Suzi Quatro. ... Robert Anthony Plant (born August 20, 1948, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England), is an English rock singer and songwriter, famous for his membership in the rock band Led Zeppelin as the lead vocalist, as well as for his successful solo career. ... John Paul Jones (born John Baldwin on January 3, 1946 in Sidcup, Kent) is an English multi-instrumentalist musician, and was known for being the bassist, the keyboardist and the mandolinist for rock band Led Zeppelin from its inception until the bands breakup following the death of John Bonham... Procol Harum is an English rock band, formed in the 1960s, who built a heavy foundation for what would become progressive rock. ... Clem Cattini (born August, 1939 in London, England) was the drummer for 1960s British band, The Tornados as well as a session drummer. ... Prolific English drummer Aynsley Dunbar (born on January 10, 1946, in Liverpool, England) has worked with some of the top names in rock and roll, including John Mayall, Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, David Bowie, and Sammy Hagar. ... Peter Edward Ginger Baker (born August 19, 1939, Lewisham, South London) is an English drummer who gained fame as a member of the Graham Bond Organization (GBO) and Cream from 1966 until 1968. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Peter Grant in 1973 Peter Grant, (April 5, 1935 – November 21, 1995) was a manager for The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin and Bad Company, and a record executive for Swan Song Records. ...

Despite an intensive campaign to snare the drummer, Bonham was initially reluctant to join the band, as he thought that the Yardbirds was a name from the past with no future. Plant sent eight telegrams to Bonham's pub, the "Three Men in a Boat", in Walsall, which were followed by forty telegrams from Grant. However, at the same time he was also receiving lucrative offers from established artists Joe Cocker and Chris Farlowe. In the end, though, Bonham accepted Grant's offer. He later recalled, "I decided I liked their music better than Cocker's or Farlowe's."^[2] Telegraphy (from the Greek words tele = far away and grapho = write) is the long distance transmission of written messages without physical transport of letters, originally over wire. ... , Walsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. ... Joe Cocker OBE (born 20 May 1944) is an English rock/blues singer who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice and his cover versions of popular songs. ... Chris Farlowe is an English pop singer and one-time amateur boxer. ...

During Led Zeppelin's first tour of the United States in December 1968, Bonham became friends with Vanilla Fudge's 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 many Led Zeppelin songs, including "Immigrant Song" (Led Zeppelin III), "When the Levee Breaks" (Led Zeppelin IV / ), "Kashmir" (Physical Graffiti), "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, and this is similarly exhibited by his precise drumming on "No Quarter." 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 samba rhythm. Led Zeppelins 1968/1969 tour of North America was the first concert tour of North America by the English rock band. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Vanilla Fudge was an American psychedelic band that recorded albums from 1967 to 1970. ... Carmine Appice (b. ... Ludwig-Musser is a drum and percussion instrument manufacturer owned by Conn-Selmer, Inc. ... Immigrant Song is the opening track on English rock band Led Zeppelins third album, Led Zeppelin III, written and released in 1970. ... Led Zeppelin III, the third album by English rock band Led Zeppelin, was released October 5, 1970 by Atlantic Records. ... When the Levee Breaks is a blues song written and first recorded by husband and wife Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929. ... The untitled fourth album of English rock band Led Zeppelin was released on November 8, 1971. ... Image File history File links Zoso. ... Kashmir is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti. ... Back cover Physical Graffiti is the sixth album, a double album by the English hard rock band Led Zeppelin. ... The Ocean is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, from their 1973 album Houses of the Holy. ... For the Led Zeppelin song of the same name, see Houses of the Holy (song). ... Audio sample Info (help· info) Achilles Last Stand [1] is a song by English rock group Led Zeppelin, featured as the opening track on their 1976 album Presence. ... Presence is the seventh studio album by English rock band Led Zeppelin, released by Swan Song Records on March 31, 1976. ... ==Individual Studio== A recording studio is a facility for sound recording. ... Misty Mountain Hop is a song from Led Zeppelins untitled fourth album. ... “Fortissimo” redirects here. ... No Quarter is the seventh song on English rock band Led Zeppelins fifth album Houses of the Holy, released in 1973. ... For other uses, including related musical genres, see Funk (disambiguation). ... Latin American music, sometimes simply called Latin music in The United States, includes the music of all countries in Latin America and comes in many varieties. ... Royal Orleans is a song by English rock group Led Zeppelin, from their 1976 album Presence. ... Fool in the Rain is a song on English rock band Led Zeppelins 1979 album, In Through The Out Door. ...

His famous drum solo, first entitled "Pat's Delight," then "Moby Dick," would often last for half an hour and regularly featured his use of bare hands to achieve different sound effects. In Led Zeppelin concert tours after 1969, Bonham 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 rappers would later heavily sample his drumming and incorporate it into their compositions, such as the Beastie Boys, who sampled "Moby Dick," "The Ocean," and "When the Levee Breaks." Moby Dick is a Led Zeppelin instrumental song from their second album. ... For other uses, see Conga (disambiguation). ... A timpanist in the United States Air Forces in Europe Band. ... A gong is one of a wide variety of metal percussion instruments. ... For other uses, see Dallas (disambiguation). ... The Dallas Times Herald, founded in 1888 by a merger of the Dallas Times and the Dallas Herald, was once one of two major daily newspapers serving the Dallas, Texas (USA) area. ... Telharmonium, created by Thaddeus Cahill 1897 Luigi Russolo and his assistant Ugo Piatti with their Intonarumori, 1913 Léon Theremin and his Theremin, 1919 Trautonium, 1928 An electronic musical instrument is a musical instrument that produces its sounds using electronics. ... Synth redirects here. ... The Pollard Syndrum was the first electronic drum. ... Kashmir is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti. ... For other uses, see Dallas (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Texas (disambiguation). ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... This article is about reusing existing sound recordings in creating new works. ... The Beastie Boys are a hip hop musical group from New York City consisting of Michael Mike D Diamond, Adam MCA Yauch, Adam Ad-Rock Horovitz. ...

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 Raceway to the sound of his signature drum solo, "Moby Dick." Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Son of Dracula is a musical comedy film released in 1974 by Apple Films, starring Harry Nilsson and Ringo Starr. ... Harry Edward Nilsson III (June 15, 1941 – January 15, 1994) was an American songwriter, singer, pianist, and guitarist, most popular during the 1960s and 1970s. ... Apple Records logo, featuring a Granny Smith apple. ... Richard Starkey, MBE (born 7 July 1940), better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an Academy Award-winning English musician, singer, songwriter and actor, best known as the drummer for The Beatles. ... Keith John Moon (August 23, 1946 – September 7, 1978) was the drummer of the rock group The Who. ... In film formats, the soundtrack is the physical area of the film which records the synchronized sound. ... The Song Remains the Same (also known as TSRTS) is a concert film by the English rock band Led Zeppelin. ... Santa Pod Raceway was founded in 1966 as Europes first permanent drag racing venue. ...

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 The Plough 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. It was in fact the New Inn which is currently boarded up, the only clue to its famous past being a picture hanging close to the bar.^[3] Shenstone may be: a place in Staffordshire, England the poet William Shenstone. ... The Song Remains the Same (also known as TSRTS) is a concert film by the English rock band Led Zeppelin. ...

As well as recording with Led Zeppelin, Bonham also found time to play on sessions for other artists. In 1969 Bonham appeared on The Family Dogg's A Way of Life, with Page and Jones. Bonham also sessioned for Screaming Lord Sutch on his album Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends in 1970. He also played drums on Lulu's 1971 song "Everybody Clap," originally written by Maurice Gibb and Billy Lawrie. Later in his career, Bonham 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. Also: 1969 (number) 1969 (movie) 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... The Family Dogg was a British vocal group best known for their harmony vocals. ... David Edward Sutch (or Screaming Lord Sutch) (November 10, 1940 – June 16, 1999) was an English musician, politician and maverick. ... Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, OBE, (born 3 November 1948 in Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire), best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, songwriter, actor, model, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through the 2000s. ... Maurice Ernest Gibb CBE (December 22, 1949 – January 12, 2003), was a musician and singer-songwriter. ... This article is about the British city. ... Roy Adrian Wood (sometimes erroneously thought to be born as Ulysses Adrian Wood, from a offhand interview comment in the 1960s) (born 8 November 1946 in Birmingham), is a songwriter, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Wings was a rock music supergroup formed in August 1971, after the breakup of The Beatles, by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. ... Back To The Egg was the final album to feature Paul McCartney and his group Wings. ... A generally powerful, sometimes eerie, sometimes somber form of rock with elements of stringed instruments included, such as violins. ...

Death

On September 24, 1980, John Bonham was picked up by Led Zeppelin assistant Rex King to attend 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 (~2/3 imperial quart, or ~4dl of vodka)). He then continued to drink heavily 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 and placed on his side. Benji LeFevre (who had replaced Richard Cole as Led Zeppelin's tour manager) and John Paul Jones found him dead the next morning. Bonham was 32 years old. ^[4] is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Bray Studios is a film and television studio next to the River Thames near Windsor, England. ... Vodka bottling machine, Shatskaya Vodka Shatsk, Russia Vodka (Polish: wódka, Russian: водка) is one of the worlds most popular distilled beverages. ... Map sources for Clewer at grid reference TQ073693 Clewer is an area of Windsor, Berkshire, United Kingdom. ... This article is about the English town. ... Some factual claims in this article or section need to be verified. ...

An inquest at East Berkshire coroner's court recorded a verdict of accidental death, the cause being asphyxiation from vomit. A subsequent autopsy found no other drugs in Bonham's body.^[5] The alcoholism that had plagued the drummer since his earliest days with the band ultimately led to his death. John Bonham was cremated and on October 12, 1980 interred at Rushock Parish Church, Worcestershire. A cymbal sits in front of his headstone in his memory. His headstone reads: An inquest is a formal process of state investigation. ... For the thrash metal band, see Coroner (band). ... A railing accidentally collapses at a college football game, spilling fans onto the sidelines An accident is something going wrong unexpectedly. ... Suffocation redirects here, for the band, see Suffocation (band). ... This article is about the medical procedure. ... Alcoholism is the consumption of, or preoccupation with, alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the drinkers normal personal, family, social, or work life, and may lead to physical or mental harm. ... is the 285th day of the year (286th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... For the condiment, see Worcestershire sauce. ...

Gravestone image

Despite media rumors that Cozy Powell, Carmine Appice, Barriemore Barlow, Simon Kirke, or Bev Bevan would join the group as his replacement, the remaining members decided to disband Led Zeppelin after Bonham's death. They issued a press statement on 4 December 1980 confirming that the band would not continue without its drummer. "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." It was simply signed "Led Zeppelin".^[6] This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Carmine Appice (b. ... Barriemore Barlow Barriemore Barlow (born 10 September 1949, in Birmingham) best known as the drummer and percussionist for rock band Jethro Tull from 1972 to 1980. ... Fire And Water, with Simon Kirke at far right Simon Kirke (born July 28, 1949) is a British rock drummer best known as a member of Free and Bad Company. ... Bev Bevan was the drummer, as well as one of the original members of the Electric Light Orchestra and served as the drummer for Black Sabbath from 1983-1984. ... is the 338th day of the year (339th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

Family

John Bonham's younger sister, Deborah Bonham (born 1962), is a singer-songwriter. His younger brother, Mick Bonham (1951-2000), was a disc jockey, author and photographer. John Bonham's son, Jason Bonham (born 1966), is a rock drummer, who recently played with Led Zeppelin on their one-off reunion show in December 2007, as well as their two previous reunions. Bonham's daughter, Zoë Bonham, is a singer-songwriter and also appears regularly at Led Zeppelin conventions and awards. Jason Bonham (born July 13, 1966) is an English drummer and son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. ... For the bands 1969 eponymous debut album, see Led Zeppelin (album). ...

Equipment

Drums

Pre Led Zeppelin Kit (?-'68), Ludwig Super Classic Green Sparkle

• Bass Drum 22"x14"
• Floor Tom 16"x16"
• Rack Tom 13"x9"
• Supraphonic Snare 14"x5"

Led Zeppelin Kit ('68/Tour U.S.A), Ludwig Black Diamond Pearl

• Bass Drum 24"x14"
• Floor Tom 16"x16"
• Floor Tom 18"x16"
• Rack Tom 13"x9"
• Snare 20's/30's COB Tube Lug

Ludwig Representation kit, Ludwig Thermo Gloss Natural Maple (1969-'70)^[7]

• 2 Bass Drums 26"x14" (Although one was removed as the band thought he was drowning them out!)
• Tom 14"x12" (Mounted on a snare stand, and then later a Rogers Swivomatic Mount was added.)
• Floor Tom 16"x16"
• Floor Tom 18"x16"
• 14"x6.5" Chrome Supraphonic 402 Series Snare
• Twin Congas Ludwig 12"
• Cowbell Ludwig Gold Tone

Studio and live Kit ('70 - '73) (Led Zeppelin III, Led Zeppelin IV, Houses of the Holy), Ludwig Green Sparkle

• Bass Drum 26"x14" (Also had an extra bass drum which was kept as a spare)
• Rack Tom 14"x10" on Rail Consolette mount.
• Floor Tom 16"x16"
• Floor Tom 18"x16"
• 14"x6.5" Chrome Supraphonic 402 Series Snare
• Ludwig 29" Machine Timpani (1972+)
• Ludwig 32" Universal Timpani (1972+)

John was known for telling the band that the Green Sparkle kit was his favourite and Best sounding kit, and it was used on all recordings from IV onwards, excluding Presence where he used the Silver Sparkle kit.

The Song Remains The Same Kit ('73), Ludwig Amber Vistalite^[8]

• Bass Drum 26"x14" (Spare bass drum kept, as these drums were reknowned for cracking)
• Rack Tom 14"x10"
• Floor Tom 16"x16"
• Floor Tom 18"x16"
• Floor Tom 20"x16"
• 14"x6.5" Chrome Supraphonic 402 Series Snare
• Ludwig 29" Timpani
• Ludwig 30" Timpani

Studio Kit ('75) Ludwig Sparkle Silver Finish

• Bass Drum 26"x14"
• Rack Tom 15"x12"
• Floor Tom 16"x16"
• Floor Tom 18"x16"
• 14"x6.5" Chrome Supraphonic 402 Series Snare
• Ludwig 29" Timpani
• Ludwig 30" Timpani

Final Touring Kit ('77-'80), Ludwig Stainless Steel

• Bass Drum 26"x14"
• Tom 15"x 12" Mounted on Bass Drum with a Ludwig Rocker Tom Mount, because his usual rail mount couldn't fit a 12" deep tom on the Bass Drum. (Changed to a 14"x10" Stainless Steel tom with classic lugs for the Europe tour of 1980)
• Floor Tom 16"x16"
• Floor Tom 18"x16"
• Floor Tom 20"x18" was used on occasion as well.
• 14"x6" Chrome Supraphonic 402 Series Snare (Slightly shallower than his usual 6.5 model, but probably wouldn't make that much difference in sound.)^{[citation needed]}

Cymbals

John Bonham played Paiste cymbals. He used Paiste Giant Beat cymbals until 1975. The Paiste Endorsement Agreement shows he experimented with cymbals including the 602 series before changing to a complete set of what is now the 2002 series in '75, which he used for the rest of his career. His setup:

During the time his setup consisted solely of giant beat cymbals (1968 - 1971):

• 15" Paiste Giant Beat Hi-Hat
• 18" Paiste Giant Beat Crash / Ride (On Left)
• 20" Paiste Giant Beat Crash / Ride
• 24" Paiste Giant Beat Crash / Ride
• 38" Paiste Symphonic Gong

During the time his setup was mixed between Giant Beat and 2002 cymbals (1971 - 1975):

• 15" Paiste 2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hat
• 18" Paiste Giant Beat Crash / Ride [Switched to 18" 2002 Medium 1973](On Left)
• 20" Paiste 2002 Medium
• 24" Paiste Giant Beat Crash / Ride
• 38" Paiste Symphonic Gong

During the time his setup consisted solely of 2002 cymbals (1975 - 1980):

• 15" Paiste 2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hat
• 18" Paiste 2002 Medium (On Left)
• 18" Paiste 2002 Ride (Used as Crash)
• 20" Paiste 2002 Medium Ride (Formula 602)
• 24" Paiste 2002 Ride
• Sometimes a 16" Paiste 2002 Medium under, and to the right of his 20" (as seen in Knebworth 1979)
• 38" Paiste Symphonic Gong

Drum Heads

For his wood drums, Bonham always used Remo coated emperors (or Ludwig equivalent) on all of his batter heads, while using coated ambassadors on the resonant head, and the batter head was always tuned medium-tight, (almost jazz like) and the resonate head was always tuned way up, for a nice full, round sound. He never put pillows or other laundry in the bass drum and he only used a felt strip on the batter side from time to time. The bass drum heads were also tuned a lot higher than one would think. Some have claimed he used to make "Ritchie Rings" cut out of old drum heads for his front bass drum head, but this anomaly is simply the surrounding light producing a shadow from the hoop on the white drum head producing the ring effect (you can produce the same effect with a front bass drum head, as long as the head is coated).^{[citation needed]}

On the vistalites he used Remo CS black dots on the batter side of the toms and the bass drum and clear ambassadors on the resonate side. The snare always had a coated emperor on the batter side and an ambassador or a diplomat on the snare side. He always used a Gretsch 42-strand snare wires to fatten the snare sound.

Bass Drum Pedal

Bonham used Ludwig Speed King Pedals (with tight spring tension) throughout his career. His trademark bass drum "triplets," most notable in Good Times, Bad Times, were done with a single bass pedal, and not a double bass pedal. Unlike contemporary innovators, Bonham did not use a double-bass drum kit. He did once own one (it was featured in the demo "Communication Breakdown"), but removed it from his kit when the rest of the band decided it was drowning everything else out.

A Paiste 2002 Sound Edge hi-hat. ... Remo is the most prominent drumhead company in the United States, and their product is the most widely used. ... Ludwig-Mussers logo. ... Alternate Cover single cover Audio sample Info (help· info) Good Times Bad Times is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, featured as the opening track on their 1969 debut album Led Zeppelin. ...

Tribute Kit

In 2007, Ludwig and drum-builder Ronn Dunnett came together to make a limited edition kit in Bonham's memory. These stainless steel kits are the same as the one Bonham himself used on the last Led Zeppelin tours in the 1970s.

Notes

is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Carmine Appice (b. ...

Sources

• Bonham, Mick (2005). John Bonham: The Powerhouse Behind Led Zeppelin. Southbank Publishing. ISBN 1-904915-11-6
• 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 0-87930-658-0

External links

• Led Zeppelin Official Site
• Drummerworld John Bonham Page
• The 23 John Henry Bonham Drum Outtakes
• John Bonham - Obituary and Public Tributes
• John Bonham at the Internet Movie Database
• John Bonham at Find-A-Grave