Date:

Author:
Category:

"Led Zeppelin" without John Bonham - a new chapter in the history of the legendary rock band

John Bonham's passing has left a huge hole in rock and roll history. He was one of the best drummers of all time, and more importantly, he was part of the Led Zeppelin family, not the band.

What happened to Led Zeppelin after John Bonham's death.

"Led Zeppelin." - one of the most legendary rock bands in history. Despite the fact that it broke up many decades ago, it is still talked about as a great one. And it's hard to argue with that. Over a long and colourful career, the four British rockers gave the world gorgeous albums and timeless hits, the most famous of which was the iconic "Stairway to Heaven.". 300 million copies worldwide, seven Billboard 200 chart topping albums, number one at the top of the "100 Greatest Hard Rock Artists." and other honours and awards.

So what caused this amazing team to split up for good? After studying some moments of Zeppelin's biography, it becomes clear: the collapse was inevitable.

John Bonham's death and the end of the story

Early Led Zeppelin
The early ones "Led Zeppelin."

"Led Zeppelin." ceased to exist a few months after the drummer's death John Bonham. The band subsequently reunited several times - notably on the Live Aid в 1985 of the year and another charity event at 2007 year. Then Bonham's place at the drum kit was taken by his son Jason. The legendary drummer passed away 25 September 1980 at the age of 32 years old. This tragedy put an end not only to the band's North American tour, but to its history as a whole.

At the end of the European tour the band started rehearsing, because. "Zeppelin." was going to be riding around with the concerts across North America. 24 September 1980. Bonham was driven to a studio in the Berkshires where Zeppelin were rehearsing. Assistant Rex King recalled how on the way John asked to stop "for breakfast": he ate a ham roll and had a drink four shot glasses vodka. At that time Bonham had a huge drinking problem: the band had been under a lot of stress over the last few years, and then there was the tour. The drummer's only salvation was drinking.

John Bonham.
John Bonham.

Throughout the day, John consumed alcohol, and when the rehearsal was over, the musicians went to Jimmy Page's house. By midnight, Bonham passed out and was put to bed. When the Zeppelin bassist the next day. John Paul Jones went to wake him up, he found his mate dead.

"I couldn't believe it, but I had to let the others know," he later recalled.

Led Zeppelin's private jet.
Led Zeppelin's private jet.

As a result of the investigation, it was determined that Bonham died due to vomiting. On the eve of the tragedy, the rocker had been drinking 40 shots of vodka for 12 hours. That in itself is a lethal dose. The North American tour was immediately cancelled. 4 December 1980 the remaining members of Zeppelin have issued a statement:

"We didn't just lose a band member. We lost our friend. We made a decision: the band cannot continue to exist."

It was the end.

What came before?

Led Zeppelin
"Led Zeppelin."

In the summer. 1979 year "Led Zeppelin." have released their latest studio album "In Through The Out Door". No one knew then what lay ahead of them. But the colours over the band were thickening by the day. Despite the fact that Zeppelin were one of the most popular rock bands of the time, they were accompanied by big troubles: the death of their young son. Robert Plante в 1977 year, expulsion from the UK because of tax problems, personal troublesas well as huge burden. Not surprisingly. Jimmy Page addicted to illicit drugs, while John Bonham became addicted to alcohol.

A rare photo of the young members of Led Zeppelin
A rare photo of the young members of Led Zeppelin.

In the summer of the same 1979 years the band played two massive concerts in Nebworth - the last two concerts in their home country. A year later, the team went on tour, performing at venues in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. However, when they arrived in Nuremberghealth problems had taken their toll on John. The show started as usual - covers were played "Train Kept A-Rollin'." и "Nobody's Fault But Mine". When it was the third song's turn, it was clear that Bonham was not ready to perform. Before performing "Black Dog."Jimmy Page addressed the crowd:

"Today a member of our group is not feeling well - a little stomach problem. But we will try to do our best for you!"

Bonham tried to play, but his rhythms became chaotic. And before Plant began his performance. "In The Evening", John fainted. He fell from his chair, and the vocalist nervously rushed to alert the audience:

"We've just had a small technical problem. We'd appreciate it if you could wait a little longer..."

Alas, that night the show had already did not continue. Some fans have subsequently stated that. Bonham was drunk. Nevertheless, the tour ended successfully in Berlin's Eissporthalle 7 July. It was last round John Bonham and Led Zeppelin.

Possible history of the group

John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Bonham sit on the bonnet of a car at their first photo shoot for the WEA in London, December 1968. Photo: Dick Barnatt
John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Bonham sit on the bonnet of a car at their first photo shoot for the WEA in London, December 1968. Photo: Dick Barnatt

After the fact. John Bonham is gone, and "Led Zeppelin." broke up, the fans started hypothesisewhat it would look like group's futurebe John. alive. And many agreed that the end of the Zeppelin story. was inevitable.

The girls are excited about John Bonham's acting.
John Bonham

First of all, the blame for this would be Page's addiction: the substances distanced the guitarist from the band and prevented Zeppelin from fully developing. If Bonham and had he lived, he would have had to recover from his alcohol addiction. And, accordingly, a course of rehabilitation would have been prescribed Paigeou. Only in such a case - in the case complete cleansing - the band had a bright and bright future. But, as we know, Page resisted getting rid of his addiction. Would he have agreed to such a condition then? Far from it not a fact.

Another hypothesis suggests that in the end the participants "Zeppelin." would tire of the group and start looking for themselves on the side.

However, of all the hypotheses, only one is true: if John Bonham had stayed alive and the band had existed at least until the 90s, we would have more musical heritage.

The split could have happened much earlier

The story of "No Quarter" (Led Zeppelin).
"Led Zeppelin."

Even after Bonham's death, it became clear that the split "Zeppelin." could have happened much earlier, back in the 1974 year. This was revealed by their manager Peter Grant:

"In 1974 they were recording at Headley Grange and suddenly John Paul Jones turned up and said he was leaving the band. I said: "What are you going to do, John, if you leave the band?" He replied, "I'm going to be choirmaster at Winchester Cathedral. I'm fed up with all the touring!" He was very annoyed - I think he was just homesick. Anyway, it was never discussed again."

В 1977 year Robert Plante lost a son. This again darkened the atmosphere. Peter Grant recalled:

"It was the most dangerous moment - they came very close to a split. Of course, Robert went through an incredible thing... I still have no idea how he even coped when his son died. At the time, I think he wanted to get away from everything. And I really understood that..."

Jimmy Page interview

Jimmy Page as a young man ...
Jimmy Page as a young man

Decades after the incident. Jimmy Page gave an interview in which he explained why the Led Zeppelin story finally ended after Bonham's death:

"We weren't so much playing for money as for the call of our hearts... Each member of Led Zeppelin was important to the sum total of what we were. There was nothing left for us. We couldn't take another guy, put him behind the drums and say, "You gotta do it like this, you know?" That wouldn't have been fair..."

Page continued: "Yes, we had attempts to reunite. But it just wasn't the same... Before the 2007 show we had a lot of preparation: we rehearsed as much as we could to make Jason feel part of the band!"

In the interview. 2012 years Bonham's son Jason shared an emotional moment from those rehearsals:

"Robert said: "I don't want to do this, we can't even reunite with you. It doesn't matter how good you are on the drums, Jason. I love you very much, like a son, but John was the drummer of Led Zeppelin: he was part of me, Jimmy, John... We all had something special in common. And to be honest, it's hard for me to think about performing again, making magic without him... He was a very, very close friend of mine that I miss every day..."

Led Zeppelin and Jason Bonham.
Led Zeppelin and Jason Bonham.

One last thing

John Paul Jones, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page at the Kennedy Center Honors
John Paul Jones, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page at the Kennedy Center Honors

Care John Bonham left a huge hole in rock 'n' roll history. He was one of the best drummers of all time, and more importantly, he was part of not a group, but a families "Led Zeppelin. And there is nothing surprising in the fact that after his death the history of this band came to an end. On the contrary, it would have been strange if they had continued to perform: without Bonham, it would not have been the same Zeppelin. But it is not for us to decide whether they should have continued to exist as a band or not. One thing is for sure: if Bonham hadn't left then, we would all be a little richer today in terms of good music.

LEAVE ANSWER

Please enter your comment!
please enter your name here

+ 72 = 78

"Man From Utopia: Frank Zappa's innovative approach in his 1983 album

Cover: Courtesy of Universal Music /* TFP - udiscovermusic.com - Above */ (function() { var opts = { artist: "", song: "", adunit_id: 100006177, detect_artist: true, div_id: "cf_async_" + Math.floor((Math.random() *...

Jimmy Page's studio life before Led Zeppelin emerged

Guitarist Jimmy Page: biography, beginning of career, working as a session musician, creation of Led Zeppelin Rock music, which entered the musical arena as a major dominant force in the late 1960s,...

The 1975 incident after which Led Zeppelin was banned from performing in Boston

Why Led Zeppelin was banned from performing in Boston in 1975 It's undeniable: Led Zeppelin is one of the greatest rock bands in history. Despite the fact that...

Plant, Osbourne, Harrison - members of iconic rock bands who don't like to remember the period

Plant, Osbourne, Harrison: why these iconic rockers don't like to reminisce about their popular bands Music history remembers quite a few truly iconic rock bands - their influence...

The secret to Black Dog's success: the song or the appeal of the performers...

The real meaning of the song "Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin is a legendary British rock band that showed the world what it means to play rumbling rock. The band's repertoire includes many...

Led Zeppelin classics in the best interpretation, or great covers of the iconic "Black Dog"

Top of the best covers of the classic rock hit "Black Dog" according to Fuzz Music Magazine Undeniable: Led Zeppelin is the band that shaped the world of rock and roll. It has ...

Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin: "We've grown older and wiser..."

The story of Led Zeppelin reunion: "No Quarter" and "Walking into Clarksdale" Journalists and fans, pushy managers and producers - each has long pestered...

How Robert Plant paid a radio station $10,000 to stop playing "Stairway to Heaven"

The moment Robert Plant got tired of "Stairway to Heaven" and paid a radio station $10,000 to play it "Stairway to Heaven" is one of the greatest songs ever ...

Enjoying the legendary Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" performed by Prince

Prince's cover version of "Whole Lotta Love" - story of inspiration and facts "Whole Lotta Love" is one of the most famous songs in the career of iconic rock band ....

A Led Zeppelin song inspired by Stevie Wonder's "Superstition."

How Stevie Wonder's funky "Superstition" inspired rock giants Led Zeppelin Let's be honest: there aren't many parallels between Stevie Wonder and Led Zeppelin... Or rather, there are...
Recommended

What's SHAMAN's Little Brother, or the PR stunt that worked: The Neverlove Story

Neverlove band: history, vocalist Yaroslav Stepanov, tracks and clips Perhaps you have already seen a video on YouTube (and by the way, it is far from one), which...

Deep Purple: The Band That Trials Accompanied

Grim little-known facts about Deep Purple Deep Purple is one of the most legendary, yet darkest bands in the history of classic rock. Even their...

Ace of Base: The Fate of the Happy Nation Performers

Members of Ace of Base today: photos and facts In 1992, the debut album of the band Ace of Base was released. The single of the same name from it was instantly...

"Did One Song Split the Beatles?" - A Fresh Look at the Affairs of Yesteryear

The song "Cold Turkey" and the breakup of The Beatles The Beatles are a band that definitely needs no introduction. Being one of the most colourful and influential pioneers of...

Top 3 Led Zeppelin Songs Written by Jimmy Page Solo

Led Zeppelin songs written by Jimmy Page Today, classic rock is still at the very centre of popular music, alongside genres such as country and hip-hop. А...

The band "Jeopardy" has a healing effect

How the band "Bardak" heals the public The band "Bardak", playing real rock with pronounced hard rock and blues tones, continues to gain momentum. The album "Russkiy...

A turning point within Pink Floyd that turned into success and the subsequent split of the band

The moment when Pink Floyd had a split in Pink Floyd Pink Floyd is one of the most original and unique bands of classic rock. The work of this band is difficult to characterise: it is...

"A shy rebel and a drummer who could bang balls": the Rolling Stones' life before fame - part two

Life of The Rolling Stones before fame: Ronnie Wood, Charlie Watts, Keith Richards - part two In today's article, we continue to cover the lives of the members of the iconic band....

"Gas sector" - continuators or brazen plagiarisers

We're talking about the Gas Sector... oh, no, about "Gas Sector". Our article is devoted to the history of Moscow musicians. They were young, ambitious and loved punk rock. They have their own songs...