After leaving Wilton House public school, he worked for his father Jack Bonham in the construction industry in between drumming for 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 drummed for local Birmingham bands such as 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 however the band became inactive and in desperation for a regular income, joined blues group Crawling King Snakes whose lead singer was a young Robert Plant. During this period, Bonham developed a reputation of being the loudest drummer in England, often breaking drumheads and being asked by clubs to stop playing. By 1967, A Way of Life asked Bonham to return to their group, during this period Plant kept in constant contact with Bonham and when he decided to form Band of Joy, Bonham was first choice for the drum stool. 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 Tim 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. Both singers Joe Cocker and Chris Farlowe had also sought out Bonham for their touring bands.
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, who had
already drummed with Plant and knew Page from session work. Page?s
choice for drummer included Procol Harum?s B.J. Wilson, session
drummers Clem Cattini and Aynsley Dunbar. Ginger Baker was also
rumoured to be on Page's list. After seeing Bonham drum for Tim Rose
in Hampstead, north London, in July 1968, Page and Peter Grant were
convinced to sign up Bonham.
During Led Zeppelin?s first tour of the United States in December
1968, he became friends with Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice
who 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 initial hard hitting
style was displayed to great effect on "Immigrant Song" (Led
Zeppelin III), "When the Levee Breaks" (Four Symbols), and "The
Ocean" (Houses of the Holy). He is credited by the group for
thinking up the riff in ?Kashmir? as well as the riff to "Out On the
Tiles". On later albums, Bonham rather adeptly handled funk and
Latin influenced drumming on several cuts. While not as loose and
unhinged as Keith Moon, nor as critically respected as Ginger Baker,
his sheer power behind the drum kit has influenced nearly every hard
rock and heavy metal drummer since. Bonham?s signature style was a
steady rhythmic beat that swung and his use of phasing cymbals. His
drum solos, first "Pat's Delight" then later "Moby Dick", would
often last for half-an-hour and regularly featured his use of bare
hands to achieve different sound effects. Rap artists such as the
Beastie Boys would heavily sample his drumming.
In 1974, Bonham appeared in the film Son of Dracula, playing drums
in Count Downe's (Harry Nilsson) backing band. Most fans agree that
Bonham's action sequence for the film The Song Remains the Same was
the best out of all four musicians. It featured him in a drag race
at Santa Pod speedway in California 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.
As well as recording with Led Zeppelin, Bonham also found time to
session with other artists. In 1970, Bonham drummed for Screaming
Lord Sutch on his album Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends. Bonham also
drummed for his Birmingham friend, Roy Wood, on the 1979 Wizzard
album, On the Road Again. Then for Wings on their Back to the Egg
Rockestra project.
Bonham both disliked being away from his home and family for long
periods and also flying. This led him to use alcohol to work off his
nerves. On September 24, 1980, Bonham was picked up by Led Zeppelin
assistant Rex King from The Old Hyde hotel to be at rehearsals at
Bray Studios for the upcoming tour of the United States, the bands
first since 1977. During the journey Bonham had downed four
quadruple vodkas before continuing drinking at the studio. A halt
was called to the rehearsals late in the evening and the band
retired to Page's house in Windsor . After midnight, Bonham had
fallen asleep and was taken to bed on his side. Tour manager Benji
LeFevre found him dead the next morning. Despite the sensationalist
press which indulged themselves, a subsequent coroners inquest found
no drugs in Bonham?s body. His death was a tragic accident. John
Bonham was buried on October 10, 1980 at Rushock parish churchyard,
near The Old Hyde farm.
Rumours quickly abound that Cozy Powell, Carmine Appice, Simon Kirke,
Bev Bevan or B.P. Fallon would join the group as his replacement but
Bonham's passing has been the single biggest factor in why Led
Zeppelin has never successfully reformed. His influence in the
band?s sound was unique.
Bonham?s young sister, Debbie Bonham, is a singer. His younger
brother, Mick Bonham (died 2000), was a disc jockey and respected
photographer. John Bonham's son,
Jason Bonham (born 1966), also became a rock drummer. Bonham?s
daughter, Zoe Bonham, appears regularly at
Led Zeppelin conventions and awards.
Led Zeppelin Lyrics
Artist Biographies
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