- Born
- 31 May 1948, Redditch, United Kingdom
- First work
- 1969: Led Zeppelin
- Peak
- 1969 to 1979 (estimated)
- Last work
- 1979: In Through the Out Door
- Died
- 25 September 1980, Windsor, United Kingdom; aged 32; accident
John Bonham
Music: drummer, songwriter, United Kingdom
John Bonham was an English musician regarded as one of the most powerful and influential drummers in rock history. Born in Redditch in 1948, he joined Led Zeppelin in 1968, where his formidable right foot, impeccable swing and immense volume grounded the band's innovative blues-rock sound. Across the 1970s, Bonham's signature grooves on classics such as When the Levee Breaks set enduring standards for percussionists worldwide. Following his sudden death by accidental asphyxiation in Windsor in September 1980, his surviving bandmates immediately disbanded the group, deciding that Led Zeppelin could not continue without his singular musical presence.
Who else was born on 31 May or who died on 25 September.
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Signature works
- Led Zeppelin album1969
- Led Zeppelin II album1969
- Led Zeppelin IV album1971
- Physical Graffiti album1975
- In Through the Out Door album1979
Honours
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, 1995
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 2005
Groups: Led Zeppelin, Rockestra.