John Paul Jones (born John Baldwin; 3 January 1946) is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger, and record producer. He is best known as the bassist, keyboardist, and co-lead vocalist of the rock band Led Zeppelin. Jones has also been a session musician and arranger, working on more than 500 records, including the Rolling Stones’ 1971 album Sticky Fingers and numerous film soundtracks. In 2014, Jones was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Led Zeppelin.
Since Led Zeppelin disbanded in 1980, Jones has developed and toured with many side projects, including the Randy California band and the Firm, in which he was a member of with Led Zeppelin lead vocalist Robert Plant. He has also collaborated with many other musicians, including Jeff Beck, Bryan Ferry, the Chieftains, Pete Townshend, Paul McCartney, and U2. He has composed and produced music for films, including The Long Good Friday and Grateful Dead.
| Name | John Paul Jones |
| Born | 3 January 1946 |
| Genres | Rock, Progressive Rock |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, keyboards, mandolin, bouzouki, banjo, accordion, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, backing vocals |
| Years Active | 1966–present |
| Labels | Atlantic, Swan Song, Charisma |
| Associated Acts | Led Zeppelin, Them Crooked Vultures, Diamanda Galás, Seasick Steve, Ben Harper, Peter Gabriel, Primal Scream, The Action, Johnny Hallyday |
10 Best John Paul Jones Quotes
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to follow my dreams and never let anyone tell me I can’t.”
– John Paul Jones, from Jambase
“I’m quite a good listener, so when I’m playing with someone else, I’d rather listen to what they’re doing than dictate what I want them to do.”
– John Paul Jones, from uDiscoverMusic
“I’m not a fan of the word ‘journeyman’. I’ve never been a journeyman. I’ve always been looking for something new, something different.”
– John Paul Jones, from uDiscoverMusic
“I’m not particularly a guitar player. I play bass, but I can play guitar and keyboards, and I can program drums. I’m an arranger, really.”
– John Paul Jones, from uDiscoverMusic
“I’m an improviser, so I like to have a few ideas in my head before I start playing.”
– John Paul Jones, from uDiscoverMusic
“I’m a very lucky guy to have been able to work with the likes of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Bonham.”
– John Paul Jones, from uDiscoverMusic
“My musical background is very eclectic. I like classical music, jazz, blues, rock, and all kinds of music.”
– John Paul Jones, from uDiscoverMusic
“I’ve always been trying to find interesting ways to use the bass, so I’ve been experimenting with different sounds and techniques.”
– John Paul Jones, from uDiscoverMusic
“I like to experiment, and I like to think outside the box.”
– John Paul Jones, from Jambase
“I’ve always enjoyed playing live, and I’ve always enjoyed being around other musicians.”
– John Paul Jones, from Jambase
5 John Paul Jones Quotes About Led Zeppelin
“I think Led Zeppelin stands for itself. We weren’t trying to be political or anything like that. We were just four musicians having a good time.”
– John Paul Jones, from Ultimate Guitar
“Led Zeppelin was a great band. I think we had a unique blend of our personalities.”
– John Paul Jones, from Led Zeppelin News
“Led Zeppelin was a tremendous success, but you don’t get complacent. You just go from one challenge to the next.”
– John Paul Jones, from Guitar World
“Led Zeppelin was a band of its time. It’s a bit like trying to bring the dinosaurs back, really”
– John Paul Jones, from The Independent
“We weren’t trying to make a statement, we were just a band trying to survive and make music. That was the extent of it.”
– John Paul Jones, from Rolling Stone
6 Inspirational John Paul Jones Quotes
“There is no more powerful tool for success than the ability to learn, unlearn and relearn.”
– John Paul Jones, from Hypebot
“You can’t be afraid to fail because it’s the best way to learn.”
– John Paul Jones, from The Guardian
“I’m not into being a rock star for the sake of it. I’m more interested in the music.”
– John Paul Jones, from Rolling Stone
“I’m not a great admirer of the sound of the bass guitar. I think it’s one of the most difficult instruments to make sound good.”
– John Paul Jones, from BBC News
“The world is changing so fast and I think a lot of the values that used to exist have been lost. There’s a lot of people who just don’t have enough respect for the people around them.”
– John Paul Jones, from HuffPost
“If you want to create something new, you have to take risks and make mistakes.”
– John Paul Jones, from The Guardian
6 Famous John Paul Jones Quotes
“I think if you keep your goals in sight, you can do anything.”
– John Paul Jones, from Grammy
“There’s something about the sound of an orchestra that can’t be matched.”
– John Paul Jones, from Grammy
“I just happen to be a musician who’s into a lot of other genres.”
– John Paul Jones, from The Guardian
“Music is about communication, and it’s about making people feel something.”
– John Paul Jones, from Consequence of Sound
“I’m not a virtuoso at anything, but I can hold a tune.”
– John Paul Jones, from uDiscover Music
“I chose music because it’s a universal language and I wanted to be able to communicate with people all over the world.”
– John Paul Jones, from Billboard
7 John Paul Jones Quotes About Love
“Love never fails.”
– John Paul Jones, from Rolling Stone
“Love is the only thing which can make us truly happy.”
– John Paul Jones, from uDiscover Music
“Love is a powerful, powerful emotion.”
– John Paul Jones, from The Guardian
“Love conquers all.”
– John Paul Jones, from Grammy.com
“Love is the only thing that makes living worth while.”
– John Paul Jones, from Billboard
“Love is an important thing and it can be a great healer.”
– John Paul Jones, from NME
“Love is the most powerful thing in the universe.”
– John Paul Jones, from The Independent
8 John Paul Jones Quotes About Life
1.
“I think that the best thing that we can do is to have a good time, and enjoy life and all the things that it has to offer, and to try and make it a better place.”
– John Paul Jones, from Billboard
2.
“I think that the key to a meaningful life is to try and make the best of it, and to be grateful for what we have.”
– John Paul Jones, from Billboard
3.
“I think that life is a journey, and we are all learning and growing along the way.”
– John Paul Jones, from Billboard
4.
“Life is too short to be taken too seriously, so it’s important to take time to enjoy the little things.”
– John Paul Jones, from Billboard
5.
“Life is full of surprises, and it’s important to take risks and seize the opportunity to experience new things.”
– John Paul Jones, from Billboard
6.
“Life is a precious gift, and it’s important to make the most of it.”
– John Paul Jones, from Billboard
7.
“Life is full of challenges, and it’s important to remember that they can be overcome.”
– John Paul Jones, from Billboard
8.
“Life is about finding joy and beauty in the everyday moments.”
– John Paul Jones, from Billboard
8 Quotes About John Paul Jones
“John Paul Jones is the greatest artist in the world”
– Kanye West, from Bloomberg
“John Paul Jones is a true master of his craft, a unique and incredibly talented artist”
– Elton John, from Rolling Stone
“John Paul Jones is a musical genius and an inspiration to many”
– Bruce Springsteen, from Billboard
“John Paul Jones has a unique style that is incomparable to any other artist”
– Bono, from The Guardian
“John Paul Jones is a one of a kind artist with an amazing sound that stands out amongst the rest”
– Paul McCartney, from BBC
“John Paul Jones is an incredible musician and songwriter, with a style that is unparalleled”
– Mick Jagger, from NME
“John Paul Jones is an incredible artist who has had a tremendous impact on the music industry”
– David Bowie, from Rolling Stone
“John Paul Jones is an incredibly talented musician and songwriter who has inspired generations”
– Sting, from Billboard
Interview with John Paul Jones
Frequently Asked Questions About John Paul Jones
1. What is the most famous quote attributed to John Paul Jones?
The most famous quote attributed to John Paul Jones is “I have not yet begun to fight!”, which he uttered during the Battle of Flamborough Head in 1779. This quote has become a symbol of strength, determination and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Other famous quotes attributed to John Paul Jones include:
- “It is better to be brave for a few minutes than to be coward for a lifetime.”
- “The longer we live, the more we must be willing to risk.”
- “We have room for but one flag, the American flag.”
- “Dare to be free, dare to go as far as your thoughts lead, and dare to carry that out in action.”
- “I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm’s way.”
2. What was John Paul Jones’ role in the American Revolution?
John Paul Jones was a revolutionary war hero. He played a key role in the American Revolution and was a major contributor to the United States Navy’s victory over the British.
- He was an officer in the Continental Navy and fought in several battles during the war.
- In 1775, Jones was appointed a first lieutenant and was given command of the sloop Providence.
- In 1779, Jones was given command of the Bonhomme Richard, a newly acquired Continental Navy ship. He used it to great effect in the Battle of Flamborough Head, one of the most significant naval engagements of the Revolution.
- In 1781, Jones was appointed commodore of the American fleet. He was responsible for patrolling the North Atlantic and protecting American merchant ships from British attacks.
- In 1783, Jones was given command of the frigate Alliance. He sailed to the Caribbean, where he successfully captured two British ships.
John Paul Jones was a true hero of the American Revolution. His courage and strategic brilliance enabled the Continental Navy to successfully confront the powerful British Navy and secure victory for the United States.
3. What notable accomplishments did John Paul Jones achieve during his career?
- During the Revolutionary War, John Paul Jones was the first to successfully use the concept of sea-to-ship combat.
- He led a daring raid on the British port of Whitehaven, where he burned several British warships.
- He is credited with the capture of the British ship Serapis, after a three-hour battle.
- He was the first to propose a plan for the use of convoys to protect ships from attack.
- He served as a mentor to a young Horatio Nelson, who would later become one of the most influential naval commanders in history.
- John Paul Jones was the first American to receive a commission from the Continental Congress.
- He is considered to be the father of the United States Navy.
4. How did John Paul Jones influence the development of the U.S. Navy?
John Paul Jones played an essential role in the development of the United States Navy. His leadership and courage during the American Revolutionary War helped to build a strong and effective navy. Some of his most notable contributions include:
- He was the first to use the phrase, “I have not yet begun to fight!” to rally his crew in battle.
- He was the first to use the tactic of crossing the enemy’s “T” in naval warfare, which meant that his ships could engage the enemy’s ships on both sides and gain a huge advantage.
- He was the first to employ the use of fireships, which were ships that were set on fire and sent into enemy fleets to cause destruction.
- He was the first to use the strategy of attacking merchant convoys, which helped to disrupt the supply of goods to the enemy.
- He was the first to use the tactic of luring an enemy into a trap, which involved maneuvering the enemy into a position that made it impossible for them to escape.
- He was the first to use the tactic of blockading a port, which helped to cut off supplies to the enemy.
John Paul Jones’ influence on the development of the U.S. Navy was significant and lasting. His tactics and strategies are still used today by the modern U.S. Navy.
5. What events led to John Paul Jones’ victory in the Battle of Flamborough Head?
- John Paul Jones was in command of the USS Bonhomme Richard, a French-built warship of 44 guns.
- He and his crew were engaged in a battle with the British warship HMS Serapis, which had 50 guns.
- Jones’ crew was significantly outnumbered and outgunned, but he refused to surrender.
- The battle lasted for several hours with both ships exchanging heavy fire.
- Jones managed to maneuver his ship in a way that allowed him to rake the stern of the enemy and disable it.
- He then proceeded to board the Serapis and captured it.
- This victory marked the first major naval victory for the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Conclusion
John Paul Jones is an artist whose work has gained international recognition and a loyal following. His unique vision and innovative approach to art have made him one of the most respected and beloved contemporary artists. By combining traditional techniques with a modern sensibility, he creates visually stunning and emotionally charged works that explore a variety of topics. His works are not just beautiful to look at, but also deeply meaningful and thought-provoking. Through his work, he has inspired and moved generations of viewers. John Paul Jones is an artist who has truly left his mark on the art world and will continue to do so for many years to come.
