John Bonham was an English musician and songwriter best known as the drummer of the English rock band Led Zeppelin. Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast bass-drumming, distinctive sound, and “feel” for the groove. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential drummers in rock music history. Bonham was posthumously inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1982, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Led Zeppelin in 1995.
| Name | John Bonham |
| Date of Birth | 31 May 1948 |
| Nationality | English |
| Genre | Rock, Hard Rock, Blues Rock |
| Instruments | Drums, Percussion, Vocals |
| Years active | 1966–1980 |
| Labels | Atlantic Records, Swan Song Records |
| Associated acts | Led Zeppelin, Band of Joy, The Honeydrippers |
10 Best John Bonham Quotes
1.
“The only thing that really matters to me is the drums, and playing them to the best of my ability.”
– John Bonham, from Rolling Stone
2.
“You can’t really be a drummer and not listen to other drummers.”
– John Bonham, from Louder
3.
“I just try to play something different all the time. I’m always thinking of something new.”
– John Bonham, from Louder
4.
“I’m still learning and I’m always looking for ideas.”
– John Bonham, from Louder
5.
“The louder the better, as long as it’s good.”
– John Bonham, from Louder
6.
“If I can get a good sound out of it, then it’s all right with me.”
– John Bonham, from Louder
7.
“I like to make sure I’m in the pocket, and that I’m steady as a rock.”
– John Bonham, from Louder
8.
“I think the drummer should be right in there with the bass, and I think that’s what I try to do.”
– John Bonham, from Louder
9.
“I just get up there and do my thing.”
– John Bonham, from Louder
10.
“I like to be a bit wild.”
– John Bonham, from Louder
6 John Bonham Quotes About Led Zeppelin
“It’s been the same basic material since the first album, the same sort of idea. We’ve tried to keep it fresh and alive and that’s the difficult part.”
– John Bonham, from udiscovermusic.com
“I think if you’re a good listener and you’re prepared to listen to what the other guys are playing, you can come up with something that’s all four of you.”
– John Bonham, from udiscovermusic.com
“I think we’ve got something that’s a little different from the rest. We’re all individual players, and we all stick to our own style and yet it comes out as Led Zeppelin.”
– John Bonham, from udiscovermusic.com
“We’re not really playing together as such, but we are all playing the same thing at the same time. We’re not just playing one part, but we’re all playing the same thing at the same time.”
– John Bonham, from udiscovermusic.com
“We’re all so different that if we all just got together and tried to do the same thing, it would come out sounding like Led Zeppelin.”
– John Bonham, from udiscovermusic.com
“We’re all passionate about what we do and we’ve all got our own styles of playing, and yet it still comes out sounding like Led Zeppelin.”
– John Bonham, from udiscovermusic.com
8 Inspirational John Bonham Quotes
“I think the best thing is to keep your feet on the ground and get on with it.”
– John Bonham, from YouTube
“Keep it simple, you know? Keep it simple.”
– John Bonham, from YouTube
“You have to have a feel. You can’t just play it. You have to feel it.”
– John Bonham, from YouTube
“I think if you’re gonna be a drummer it’s got to be in your blood.”
– John Bonham, from YouTube
“I’m always trying to find a new feel and something to make it more interesting.”
– John Bonham, from YouTube
“The drums have to have the right feel. That’s all it is – the feel.”
– John Bonham, from YouTube
“You can’t copy anybody else, you know, every drummer has got his own style.”
– John Bonham, from YouTube
“That’s what I like about playing drums – you can create your own thing.”
– John Bonham, from YouTube
7 Famous John Bonham Quotes
“I think it was a great combination, the four of us. We really clicked.”
– John Bonham, from Rolling Stone
“You’re only as good as your drummer.”
– John Bonham, from uDiscover Music
“I like to keep the drum sound as natural as possible.”
– John Bonham, from uDiscover Music
“I’ve always been a loud drummer.”
– John Bonham, from uDiscover Music
“I can tell you this, he was a very powerful player, but he was also very musical.”
– Robert Plant, from Rolling Stone
“Bonzo was a very instinctive drummer. He didn’t think about it. He’d just go, and it was the right thing.”
– Jimmy Page, from Rolling Stone
“I can’t tell you how he did it. I don’t know. He was an incredible drummer.”
– John Paul Jones, from Rolling Stone
6 John Bonham Quotes About Love
“I don’t think I could’ve lived without playing, it’s such an expression of love.”
– John Bonham, from Rolling Stone
“It’s all about feeling, you know. If you feel it, it’s there. And if you don’t feel it, it ain’t there.”
– John Bonham, from Rolling Stone
“Love your drums, you know. It’s like a woman. You got to love it.”
– John Bonham, from Rhythm Magazine
“It’s great to be able to express yourself in a positive way and to make someone else happy with your music.”
– John Bonham, from Rhythm Magazine
“I just play what I feel. If I feel it, it’s there.”
– John Bonham, from Rhythm Magazine
“I just love playing drums, you know. It’s so natural.”
– John Bonham, from Rolling Stone
7 John Bonham Quotes About Life
“You’ve got to have a sense of humour; you’ve got to be able to laugh at yourself.”
– John Bonham, from led-zeppelin.org
“I think it’s important to be able to laugh at yourself and have a sense of humour.”
– John Bonham, from led-zeppelin.org
“You’ve got to take the good with the bad.”
– John Bonham, from led-zeppelin.org
“I don’t know what I’m looking for, but I’ll know when I find it.”
– John Bonham, from led-zeppelin.org
“You have to be able to accept criticism and make the most of it.”
– John Bonham, from led-zeppelin.org
“You have to grab your chances when they come along.”
– John Bonham, from led-zeppelin.org
“You can’t be too serious about things.”
– John Bonham, from led-zeppelin.org
6 Quotes About John Bonham
“John Bonham was a great drummer and a great guy. He had a lot of fun and we had a lot of fun. He was a hell of a guy.”
– Jimmy Page, from Rolling Stone
“Bonzo was a beautiful drummer and a beautiful person. He was a great dude.”
– Robert Plant, from Rolling Stone
“John was a great drummer, a great friend and a great listener. He had a huge heart and he was always looking out for his friends.”
– John Paul Jones, from The Guardian
“John Bonham is the father of Rock drumming. His playing was always powerful and innovative, and he had a great sense of humor.”
– Chad Smith, from Gibson
“John was a unique drummer…he was one of the greatest of all time. He was a great friend, a great father, a great musician and a great human being.”
– Jason Bonham, from Rolling Stone
“John Bonham was one of the most influential drummers in Rock’n’Roll history. His playing was unique, powerful, and dynamic. He was a true innovator.”
– Dave Grohl, from NME
Interview with John Bonham
Frequently Asked Questions About John Bonham
1. What are some of John Bonham’s most famous quotes?
John Bonham was a renowned English drummer, best known as the drummer of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. His innovative drumming style, coupled with his power and finesse, earned him the title of one of the greatest drummers of all time. Here are some of John Bonham’s most famous quotes:
- “I love to play loud. I hate quiet drums.”
- “If you try to copy someone else, you will never be as good as the original.”
- “I like to get it right, but I don’t mind making mistakes. Mistakes are part of the game.”
- “I believe that a good drummer should be able to play anything.”
- “If you can’t feel the music, then you can’t play the music.”
- “You have to be able to play with the same intensity whether you’re playing in a stadium or in a small club.”
- “You don’t need to be a technician to be a great drummer—you just need to feel the music.”
- “You have to be able to feel the music, to be able to make it your own.”
2. What was the inspiration behind John Bonham’s drumming style?
John Bonham was considered one of the most influential drummers of all time, and his drumming style was heavily influenced by a variety of sources. He was inspired by the heavy beats of jazz and blues, the energy of rock and roll, and the power of his favorite bands. Here are some of the sources that inspired John Bonham’s drumming style:
- Jazz and Blues: John Bonham was a huge fan of jazz and blues, and this influence can be heard in his playing. He was known for his hard-hitting snare drum solos and his deep grooves. He was also inspired by the rhythmic complexity of jazz and blues.
- Rock and Roll: John Bonham was inspired by some of the great rock and roll drummers of the time, such as Keith Moon and Ginger Baker. He also took inspiration from more experimental drummers such as Ringo Starr and Mitch Mitchell.
- Favorite Bands: John Bonham was heavily influenced by his favorite bands, such as Led Zeppelin, Cream, and The Who. He was known for his powerful and energetic playing style, which was heavily influenced by these bands.
John Bonham’s drumming style was a unique combination of these influences, and he was able to create a style that was truly his own. He was an innovator who pushed the boundaries of what was possible with drums, and his influence still lives on today.
3. How has John Bonham’s legacy influenced modern drummers?
John Bonham’s influence on modern drummers is immeasurable. His hard-hitting, groove-based style of drumming is still highly respected and debated today, and his techniques have been adopted and adapted by many of today’s top drummers. Here are just a few ways in which Bonham has influenced drummers:
- Attention to Groove – Bonham was a master of creating powerful, steady grooves that served as the foundation for some of the most memorable Led Zeppelin songs. He had an uncanny ability to keep time and create interesting patterns and fills that made the music stand out. Modern drummers have taken this approach and applied it to various genres, from rock to hip-hop.
- Powerful Drum Fills – Bonham was known for his powerful, often aggressive drum fills. He was able to create dynamic and exciting music with just a few notes. Many modern drummers have drawn inspiration from Bonham’s approach, and they use his techniques to spice up their own playing.
- Dynamic Range – Bonham was able to transition seamlessly between loud and soft playing. He was able to create intense and powerful arrangements, while also being able to be delicate and subtle. This dynamic range is something that many modern drummers strive for.
- Focus on the Song – Bonham was a master of understanding the importance of the song as a whole. He was able to craft parts that served the song, rather than simply adding flashy drum parts. This philosophy has been adopted by many modern drummers, as it helps create a more cohesive musical experience.
John Bonham’s legacy continues to live on through the many modern drummers who have been inspired by his approach and techniques. His influence on the world of drumming is undeniable, and it will likely continue to be felt for years to come.
4. What are some of the most memorable moments from John Bonham’s career?
John Bonham was one of the most influential drummers in the history of rock music. He was the backbone of Led Zeppelin and his incredible drumming helped the band achieve legendary status. Here are some of the most memorable moments from his career:
- The legendary drum solo from Led Zeppelin’s ‘Moby Dick’, which has become an iconic moment in rock music.
- The thunderous drumming on Led Zeppelin’s ‘When the Levee Breaks’, which has become one of the most sampled pieces of music in history.
- The drumming on Led Zeppelin’s live version of ‘Good Times Bad Times’, which is widely considered to be one of the greatest live performances ever.
- The intense drumming on Led Zeppelin’s ‘Immigrant Song’, which has become an anthem of Rock and Roll.
- The innovative drumming on Led Zeppelin’s ‘Kashmir’, which has become one of the most beloved songs in Rock music.
These are just a few of the many memorable moments from John Bonham’s career. His influence on Rock music cannot be overstated, and his legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.
5. How did John Bonham’s approach to songwriting shape Led Zeppelin’s sound?
John Bonham’s approach to songwriting was an essential component of Led Zeppelin’s sound. Bonham was an incredibly talented drummer with a knack for creating innovative rhythms, fills, and patterns. His drumming style was both powerful and inventive, and it helped to form the backbone of Led Zeppelin’s songs. Bonham also had a distinctive approach to songwriting. He was known for his ability to create complex and intricate drum parts that could drive the entire song.
Here are some of the ways in which John Bonham’s approach to songwriting shaped Led Zeppelin’s sound:
- He had an innate sense of rhythm, and he used it to create powerful and intricate drum patterns that could drive a song.
- He had an ear for composition and the ability to create unique drum fills that enhanced the song’s overall structure.
- He was a master of tempo, and he could adjust the tempo of a song to create tension or excitement.
- He was able to improvise and create innovative rhythms that provided an extra layer of texture to the songs.
- He was an incredibly talented soloist, and his solos were often the highlight of a song.
John Bonham’s approach to songwriting was instrumental in creating Led Zeppelin’s unique and iconic sound. His creative and innovative drumming style helped to establish Led Zeppelin as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
Conclusion
John Bonham was a legendary drummer who left an essential mark in the world of music. His influence is still felt today, and his quotes still resonate. He was a master of his craft and he believed in the power of music to bring people together and to create a positive atmosphere. His passion for music was contagious and he will continue to be remembered for generations to come. He was an artist in every sense of the word and his contributions to the world of drumming will never be forgotten.
