Bedtime for Bonzo

It was on this day in 1948 that Led Zeppelin drummer supremo John Bonham was born. Sadly, he passed away rather young in 1980. But before he ascended that stairway to the pearly gates, Bonham's powerful, groovin' style earned him accolades as one of the best rock drummers of all time. Just listen to When the Levee Breaks for coffee table-breaking drum strokes.

Bonzo, as Bonham was nicknamed, was entirely self-taught (with some tips from fellow musicians in his hometown Redditch, England), but became highly influential in the rock genre, serving as a role model for young drummers for decades. The rock genre has spawned many great percussionists over the years: Keith Moon of The Who, Neil Peart of Rush, Ginger Baker of Cream, Stewart Copeland of The Police, Bill Ward of Black Sabbath, Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, and Alan White and Bill Bruford of Yes. So Bonzo is keeping pretty good company in the pantheon of drum gods. 

And just listen to hard rock and metal drummers from the 70's onward. There is no doubt that many of them were schooled in the Zeppelin/ Bonham techniques and took away at least nuggets of Bonzo's skin bashing system. 

I adored Zeppelin's music when I first heard it back in the 70's. Rock And Roll and Stairway To Heaven were among the first Zep songs I ever heard on the radio. The Immigrant Song and Livin' Lovin' Maid were a couple of my favourites back then. Take any of those songs and look at Bonham's contribution. Speed, physical power, creative licks, consistent time-keeping, and a distinctive sound - which was just plain heavy. You always know when Bonham's on the kit. I'm sure it's part style, part drum kit, and part mic set-up and recording methods. 

There is a unique "feel" to Bonham's playing style, a groove that sets it apart from many other drummers who may be flashy and precise but lack something propulsive, from the gut (or heart). Something that drives the song along effortlessly, and even with feeling. It's not something you hear every day, but Bonzo had it. So did other rock drummers like Alex Van Halen, Peter Criss, Ginger Baker, and Bill Ward, just to name a few. Not all show-offs but more than proficient and rather legendary, each in their own way. I guess it's a quality you are born with and cannot really learn. Or can you? Listen to Ramble On for a great sense of Bonham's natural sense of swing.