John Bonham

A Rising Star

Born on May 31, 1948, in Redditch, Worcestershire, England, John Henry Bonham discovered his love for drumming at the tender age of five.

John Bonham's first "drum kit" wasn't actually a drum kit at all. It was comprised of bath salts containers and coffee tins. His natural sense of rhythm and his dedication to practice made him a competent drummer even before he got his hands on a proper drum kit.

When he was 10 years old, Bonham made his first public performance at a school talent contest. He played a drum set made from containers and coffee tins, mimicking his idols, and to everyone's surprise, he won the contest. This initial success fueled his passion for drumming.

After receiving his first drum kit from his mother, he devoted his childhood to perfecting his craft. His early influences ranged from legendary jazz drummers like Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa to the rock 'n' roll greats of his time.

In his teenage years, he joined several local bands, showcasing a raw talent that quickly got him noticed.

Influences

John Bonham's influences were varied and spanned different genres, helping him to create the unique sound that would later define him as a drummer. He was heavily influenced by the jazz and big band drummers of the 1940s and 1950s, with Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich being two of his most notable early influences. Their intricate and powerful styles can be heard in Bonham's own drumming, especially in his use of complex drum fills and accents.

Apart from jazz, Bonham was also influenced by the blues, being a fan of drummers like Earl Palmer, who played with Little Richard, and Joe Morello, known for his work with Dave Brubeck. The soulful, rhythmic groove of blues drumming is evident in many of Led Zeppelin's tracks.

Bonham also admired the work of drummers like Carmine Appice from Vanilla Fudge and Mitch Mitchell from The Jimi Hendrix Experience. He often mentioned them in interviews, and their influence is evident in Bonham's hard-hitting style.

In terms of technical proficiency and dynamics, Bonham admired and drew influence from contemporary drummers such as Keith Moon of The Who and Ginger Baker of Cream. Their innovative styles and performative antics definitely left a mark on Bonham's approach to his instrument.

Finally, it's important to note that Bonham was influenced by his own roots in the Midlands area of England. The music of this region often featured a powerful rhythm section, which is a characteristic that Bonham would adopt and amplify in his own performances with Led Zeppelin.

These various influences, from jazz to blues to rock, all came together to create John Bonham's distinctive style – a potent blend of power, complexity, and rhythmic inventiveness that has left an indelible mark on the world of rock music.

The Zeppelin Takes Flight

Bonham's big break came in 1968 when guitarist Jimmy Page recruited him to join a new band he was forming, which eventually came to be known as Led Zeppelin.

Bonham's heavy, intricate drumming became an integral part of the band's signature sound, setting them apart from their contemporaries. His work on tracks like "Good Times Bad Times," "When the Levee Breaks," and "Moby Dick," where he often performed a six-minute drum solo, cemented his status as a legendary drummer.

Style and Technique

What distinguished Bonham from other drummers of his era was his ability to blend power and finesse. He had an uncanny knack for creating complex rhythm patterns while maintaining a steady backbeat, a technique he picked up from listening to American soul music. Bonham was also renowned for his use of triplets, especially in his bass drum playing, a technique exemplified in the song "Good Times Bad Times."

He was also known for his improvisational skills, often changing his drum parts during live performances to keep the music fresh and dynamic. Bonham’s raw, energetic sound was enhanced by his preference for large drum kits and heavy sticks, combined with his unique tuning and microphone placement techniques.

Drum Kit

John Bonham's drum kit is one of the most iconic in rock history, both for its unique setup and for the way he used it to create his powerful sound.

Known for playing Ludwig drums, he was synonymous with larger drum sizes, which contributed to his big, thunderous sound.

Bonham typically played a five-piece kit, which included:

1. Bass Drum: Bonham's bass drum is one of his defining characteristics. He preferred larger sizes, specifically a 26-inch bass drum, which was uncommon for drummers in his time who generally used 22-inch or smaller bass drums. The larger size contributed to the deep, booming sound that defined his drumming style. He removed the internal mufflers, instead using a felt strip on the batter head.

2. Snare Drum: Bonham favored Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 snare drums, which are 6.5 inches deep by 14 inches in diameter. This snare drum is known for its bright, crisp sound and versatility, suitable for the variety of music that Led Zeppelin played.

3. Tom-Toms: He typically used larger than average-sized tom-toms, with sizes at 14x10 (mounted), 16x16, and 18x16 (floor toms). These sizes further added to the deep, resonant sounds of his kit.

4. Cymbals: Bonham was a loyal endorsee of Paiste cymbals, specifically their Giant Beat and 2002 lines. His typical setup included 15-inch hi-hats, a 24-inch ride, a 20-inch crash, and 18-inch and 20-inch crashes.

5. Hardware: His drum hardware was from Ludwig, and he often used a Speed King pedal for his bass drum, known for its power and speed.

A defining element of Bonham's kit was his use of Remo drum heads. He usually had a clear Emperor on the batter side of the toms and a clear Ambassador on the resonant side, with coated Emperor or Ambassador heads on his snare drum.

This configuration gave him the big, heavy, yet musical sound he is remembered for.

Bonham's setup shifted slightly throughout his career, but he always maintained his signature approach to bigger drums, heavy-duty hardware, and resonant cymbals, which contributed to his legendary status as one of rock's most influential drummers

Antics

Bonham was as infamous for his wild behavior as he was famous for his drumming. His antics, especially when intoxicated, are part of rock folklore.

Bonham was given the nickname “Bonzo”.

The name itself came from the character "Bonzo the dog" in a British children's television series. Bonham's outgoing and sometimes eccentric personality matched the character, leading to the adoption of this nickname.

Interestingly, Bonham wasn't fond of this nickname, but it stuck with him nonetheless.

His outrageous behavior earned him another nickname, "The Beast". One infamous incident occurred while touring in Seattle. After consuming large amounts of alcohol, Bonham started to destroy a hotel room. The manager asked him to stop, and when Bonham refused, he was banned for life from the hotel. The damage from that night reportedly cost thousands of dollars.

According to Zeppelin lore, Bonham was known to ride a motorcycle – specifically, a Harley-Davidson – through the corridors of the Continental Hyatt House hotel in Los Angeles, which was affectionately known as the "Riot House."

On a more positive note, Bonham's legacy also includes his role in pioneering the use of drum solos in rock music. His "Moby Dick" solo would often extend to 20 minutes during concerts, showcasing his extraordinary stamina and creativity.

Tragic Demise

On September 25, 1980, the world of rock was shaken by the news of Bonham's untimely death at the age of 32. After a heavy drinking session, he choked on his vomit during his sleep, a tragic end to a remarkable career. His death led to the disbanding of Led Zeppelin, with the remaining members stating that they couldn't continue without their irreplaceable drummer.

John Bonham's contribution to rock music was immense, and his innovative drumming techniques continue to inspire drummers worldwide. He left us with a powerful legacy, one that resonates every time we hear the thunderous drumming on a Led Zeppelin track.

Bonham was, indeed, the heartbeat of Led Zeppelin, and his influence on the world of drumming is immeasurable. His light may have been extinguished too soon, but his thunder rolls on.