September 25th 1980 - 35 years ago the world lost a legend

[LynneSin]

&sns=em

I know I'm posting this a bit early but it is already the 25th over in England. But it was 35 years ago on the 25th when John Bonham, the greatest drummer ever, passed away. His death pretty much brought an end to Led Zeppelin. The band felt he was just too talented to be replaced and 35 years later they have pretty much stuck by that. (Well Plant has since he really is the reason for no reunion but who can blame him, his solo career has been pretty solid).

People find it odd I remember the date and how many years. But you might not know it was also 35 years ago my father also died, about 4 months later. So yeah life was kinda shitty late 1980. But I'd like to think somewhere up in heaven there's one hell of a rock and roll band with Bonzo on the drums. Hope my dad has good seats!

So kick back and enjoy this 22 minute rendition of Moby Dick. And next time you have a thunderstorm remember this - that's just Bonzo practicing up in heaven!

[Tom Kitten]

1. ah memories

I didn't realize it's been 35 years! I really think it was the right decision to disband, it wouldn't have been the same (Although I have a recording of their 2007 one shot reunion with Jason, John's son, and they sound fantastic).

Greatest rock drummer...well, personally I think Keith Moon was but John was every bit as good. So why not call it a toss-up...
Keith also died in September, the 5th in 1978. The Who did keep going, but to me they weren't really The Who without Keith's drumming. They were a team! I did not care for anything The Who released after he passed.

I saw Led Zeppelin in Vancouver BC on March 20, 1975 (I just learned an excellent soundboard recording has been released of this show, I'm looking for it because it was one of their best performances from the 1975 tour). Four of us drove from Portland to Vancouver in an old moldy Corvair just because I was able to buy tickets in Portland! And I'm still waiting for the others to pay me for them .

Here they are doing "No Quarter" from that show.

[LynneSin]

2. I think Zeppelin was wise to stop after Bonham's death

you are right - after Moon the quality of The Who's music went downhill. It's fair to say that never happened with Led Zeppelin.

If you watch the David Letterman interview from a few years ago when Plant, Pages and Jones were all guests on the show together, they talked about why they never replaced Bonham. (Letterman and Led Zeppelin received Kennedy Honors from Obama the same time). Page said most of the LZ live shows was improv that worked well because the 4 of them had done it together for so long. They really didn't think they could bring in another drummer that could do what Bonham did so well during those shows.

And sure today Jason Bonham could easily step in for is dad and LZ could do the tour. But I don't think it's ever going to happen. Plant is happier doing his own solo stuff, that career has been going on over twice as long as his time with Led Zeppelin. He's not hurting for money (really none of them are) and in the end I think it comes down to Robert Plant wanting to be something more than the front man of a great rock band.