| Early years
Bonham was born in Redditch, Worcestershire, England.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.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.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.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.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.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.During Led Zeppelin's first tour of the United States in December 1968, Bonham became friends with Vanilla Fudge 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.""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."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.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."In 1974, Bonham appeared in the film Son of Dracula, playing drums in Count Downe's (Harry Nilsson) backing band.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."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.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.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.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.He then continued to drink heavily when he arrived at the studio.After midnight, Bonham had fallen asleep and was taken to bed and placed on his side.Bonham was 32 years old.John Bonham was cremated on October 10, 1980, at Rushock Parish Church, Worcestershire.Cherished memories of a loving husband and father, John Henry Bonham Who died Sept.Despite media rumours 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.Led Zeppelin conventions and awards.Cymbals
John Bonham played Paiste cymbals.The bass drum head was also tuned a lot higher than one would think.The snare always had a coated emperor on the batter side and an ambassador or a diplomat on the snare side.Bass Drum Pedal
Bonham used Ludwig Speed King Pedals throughout his career.According to the Bonham Biography A Thunder of Drums, Bonham's kit was double bass, which also featured a 20" diameter floor tom, as well as a 22" diameter Floor Tom which never went into production.Sources
Bonham, Mick (2005).John Bonham: The Powerhouse Behind Led Zeppelin.Bonham by Bonham: My Brother John.John Bonham: A Thunder of Drums.See Copyrights for details.Jason Bonham (born 15 July 1966) is an English drummer and son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham.Bonham was born in the town of Dudley, Worcestershire.In 1985, he joined Virginia Wolf, making two albums and touring the US supporting The Firm.In 1988, Bonham joined former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page for his Outrider album and tour.The following year, Bonham appeared with the 3 surviving members of Led Zeppelin for a "reunion" at Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary concert in New York.John Paul Jones believes Bonham's performance was outstanding that night.However, after a lukewarm reception for their 1992 release, Mad Hatter, the band was dissolved, and Bonham concentrated on session work and guest appearances.In May 1990, Bonham married Jan Charteris, in Stone, Kidderminster.The Bonhams have two children, a son named Jager (not named after Mick), and a daughter, Jaz.Bonham drummed for Paul Rodgers on the Grammy nominated Muddy Water Blues: A Tribute to Muddy Waters project.Bonham reformed his band with a new lead singer, Marti Frederiksen, replacing Daniel McMaster.The Zepset, which featured the songs of Led Zeppelin.Following an album and tour with Debbie Bonham, the younger sister of John Bonham, Bonham was invited to drum for hard rock group UFO.Bonham starred with Ted Nugent, Evan Seinfeld (Biohazard), Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) and Scott Ian (Anthrax) on the VH1 reality tv show, "SuperGroup", in May 2006.The musicians formed a band called Damnocracy (after ditching the name FIST and God War) for the show, during which they lived in a mansion in Las Vegas for twelve days and created music.On 12 September 2007, it was announced that Jason Bonham would step into his father's shoes and play drums for a Led Zeppelin reunion concert.By many accounts, he was more than up to the task, and superbly carried on his father's tradition.This page was last modified 08:02, 13 January 2008.All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.What: Her energy infused Sessions performance.Get behind the scenes footage from other Sessions alums.JanuaryNew Bond Street, London
Madeleine Perridge of Bonhams Antiquities Department who is heading the Egyptian Revival Sale says: "The opening of the Tutankhamun Exhibition in London shows once more that the allure of Ancient Egypt and its artistic heritage endures into the 21st century.The lasting appeal of Egypt has influenced works of art from the Grand Tour period of the 19th century, through to the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in the 1920s and the subsequent Egyptian Revival."Host Sale
30 JanuaryNew Bond Street, London
The second South African art sale at Bonhams will be the most valuable auction of South African art ever held.Antony Micallef, Adam Neate, Faile, Paul Insect, Space Invader, Swoon, D*Face
and Jamie Hewlett.Jewellery in JuneAre you wearing your jewelleryor just insuring it?Biography: Drummer John Bonham, often referred to by his nickname "Bonzo," was one of the most important and influential drummers of ...To share this media with a friend, you must have AIM installed.Given the fact that we've never been able to stock up on enough penicillin or holy water to really follow in the debauched footsteps of the members of Led Zeppelin, we're eternally grateful to the obsessive soul who's allowed us to take a virtual...Want More John Bonham?Bonham City Hall
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