The Tree From Which The Apple Fell
John Bonham was a power bass drummer. He was not known just as the drummer for Led Zeppelin. Bonham is synonymous with – Best Rock Drummer in History. He has held that title for decades, while he lived, posthumously, and many times over. John Bonham started playing on make shift kits made of coffee tins, at the age of 5. The British drummer received his first official kit when he was 15 years old. After that, he joined a band and started contributing to the music world.
Rex King, Led Zeppelin’s assistant, picked up John Bonham on September 24, 1980. Bonham asked to stop at a bar where he proceeded to drink and didn’t stop well into the night, even after rehearsals. The drummer passed away at his bandmate, Jimmy Page’s, house. The cause of death was due to alcohol consumption. He left behind a daughter, Zoë, his wife Pat Phillips, and his son, Jason Bonham.
The Apple That Fell
Jason Bonham was 14 years old when his father passed. The loss was much too soon for the father and son. On a lighter note, Jason and his father have been immortalized in the Led Zeppelin doc, The Song Remains the Same. You can watch Jason playing on a scaled down kit with his father’s over-dubbed drumming.
Yeah, that’s a baby Jason Bonham twirling his drum stick with one hand.
In the clip, Jason drums along with his father’s bongo playing, chewing gum- totally blasé. The little drummer continues to drum while his mother and father start dancing. Pat and John twirl around the living room in front of the drum kit. John spins Pat ’round and ’round. This is one of those moments that you really have to stop and think about. The impact that moments like this had on Jason is monumental.
Jason Bonham went on to tour with Led Zeppelin, UFO, and Foreigner. He has played with every who’s who of rock and has even created his own line of drumsticks. The sticks have his father’s featured symbol inscribed on them- 3 interlocking rings.
