Why I Don't Talk About John Bonham - Conversation with Andy Edwards 

Bonham’s drums sound incredible even on bootlegs so it’s not just production 😂

Joe comes across as extremely petty in this interview. Led Zeppelin was the biggest band in the world for reasons that a music teacher without a real music career will never understand. That's all there is to say.

Guys, this is pure music/u tube gold. I’m a drummer. This is great. Both of you. I’m on the Bonham side tho. Best rock n roll drummer of all time IMO.

Feel. That’s why. His groove feels amazing.

The great thing about your discussion, is that it can translate to all other art...the relationship between celebrity and creativity and the audience.

Very enjoyable broadcast, gentlemen. I started drumming in earnest around 1968 after Blue Cheer, Zappa, Hendrix & Cream made me crazy. Too young for Vietnam but old enough to drive a car I got to see Bonzo with Zep many times as well as many others before they became legends. I'll never forget watching roadies nailing Mitch Mitchell's purple bass drums to the stage floor with tenpenny nails from one of only two front row seats I ever had (Johnny Winter was the other). I saw The Who with Moon from the second row as well as Peart, both in 1976. Those rare electrifying close-up experiences taught me as a concertgoer you're getting cheated sitting a block or a quarter of a mile away from any act. I saw the original Mahavishnu Orchestra and Beck Bogert & Appice on separate occasions in the same 1920s art deco movie theater with two balconies one above the other, 1200 seats max, and the best acoustic venue I've ever been in. I've seen all the San Francisco bands from the 60s and The Doors (from L.A. with a much more professional approach), etc. Also got to watch and meet Buddy Rich, Tony Williams & Terry Bozzio after concerts not clinics, all three incredibly gracious, encouraging people. Bozzio and Tony are the best live drummers I've ever seen (on many occasions, each time very close to the stage). The last time I saw The Police was from seats behind the stage looking down right over Stewart's shoulder. I'd told my date to bring the biggest purse she had and crammed a huge jam box in it to record the performance. Halfway through the concert she whispered, "There's some guy looking at us." It was an older fellow in a double-breasted blazer with almost white hair falling down over his eyes. "Do you know him?" she asked. "Yeah, he's the drummer's big brother Miles Copeland and he's the band's manager." He was watching because he'd spotted the jam box with all its lights shining in the dark and he knew exactly what was what. He overheard what I told her and was maybe impressed I recognized him and walked off without a word. Maybe not, I'll never know. Grohl is starting to appear in Top 10 greatest drummers of all time lists (which is insane) only because he's so overexposed. At least he had the good sense to hire Josh Freese after the passing of Taylor Hawkins. Of course, Peart, Bonham & Stewart Copeland populate the top three in all these lists ahead of Tony, Elvin, Max, Bernard, Buddy, Louie, Weckl, Vinnie et al. For me, Colaiuta reached his peak in 1989-90 right after his gig on Joan Rivers. Recently there's been a few stunning clips of him with Zappa. When he played at the Baked Potato he lit 'em up but mostly he's a session guy now who occasionally lets loose two or four bars of whack stuff then it's back to tick tock on the click track. At a 1982 clinic Billy Cobham magnanimously said he liked Neil Peart however he insulted the drummers' questions with an obnoxious 'I'm the man' attitude. When he started playing double bass I walked behind him to see the magic, and basically he was just running in place at nowhere near as hip as later double bass masters like Thomas Lang & Bozzio. A guitarist I was in several bands with was floored one night by the Joe Perry Project's drummer taking a song out playing the same running in place double bass. I told him it was easy, a trick, but he wanted to argue. What can I say, guitarists with beliefs like his are a necessary evil for drummers playing rock.

One of Bonzo’s great strengths was his dynamism, the X factor that made Zeppelin the most exciting band to listen to. The way he interacted with Page and Jones could never have been replicated, hence the demise of Zep upon his passing. Really the greatest drummer of the 70s in that respect. 16:50

Speaking of Levon Helm, he has a great drum instruction VHS (way back when), where he broke down his playing and discussed his influences. One influence was a drummer named Peck Curtis who played with Somny Boy Williamson on the old King Biscuit Flower show out of Helena, Arkansas in the 50’s. His style was almost like Civil War drumming but it had that swing. I think it is so important to preserve these names and learn from them because they are the all important roots.

My response to anyone who slags someone else off is: Let's hear your stuff then.

I enjoyed this in parts. Andy Edwards in particular made some great points, when he was allowed to complete a thought. He comes across as a lot more reasonable than Joe the drummer whose bitchiness got a bit repetitive. I think intelligent conversations between people who know their craft make for good video content, but hopefully going forward there is more actual listening rather than simply waiting (or not in Joe's case) for one's turn to speak.

Nice video! I've listened to a lot of drum vlogs and my attention usually waned with no actual video. This was a great change of pace.

While I think we could do with a bit more humility and silence and the snarky put downs don't really help move anything along, was great to hear from Andy, what a guy!

The great thing about Peart was his creativity in Rush and Bonham had a great groove and sound

Steve Jorden, is one that proves you don't have to die to be a legend

I enjoy hearing the drums of many drummers many bands but enjoy hearing bonham because i like how expressive he is. I like his sound what he had to say. I can't think of many like that except for maybe ian paice.

Sorry, Joe, as interesting as this was, I had to turn you off after a while because of your constant interruptions of Andy, who was in the middle of making some great points when you unfortunately interrupted him to quite often hammer home your dislike for Bonham's playing. Andy sounded great. I'm now a fan and will track down his channel. For future interviews, should there be any, could you please reign in your tendency to jump in and interrupt. Thank you. And I hope you take this in the spirit in which it was intended, i.e. as constructive criticism.

Yep 100% see what yer saying Joe. Bonham, would'nt be in my top 5, yet couldn't argue the accolades lauded at his feet. Guess, 'popular opinion' is not 'everyone's opinion'. Listening to the chat, you both have a passion for 'hitting the cans'! P.s I kinder also liked you both interrupting each other, unedited. Just like how a real conversation plays out. Keep erm coming 👍 👍

Andy Newmark speaks about auditioning for Sly Stone. He mentions playing on a toy drum kit while Sly is following what Andy is doing. As Andy had been listening to and following the drumming of Tony Williams at the time, he threw in something of Tony's. Sly is stunned, as he couldn't follow what he had just heard , and offered Andy Newmark the gig. Interesting that Bill Buford suggested listening to Sly Stone. 🙂

Great conversation. I'm not a drummer but I am a musician. I fully agree with Andy's emphasis on Page's amazing production - of which When the Levee Breaks is just the most famous example. Around such things are myths built. And Hendrix said to I think Plant: "Your drummer has a right foot like a pair of castanets". People don't understand what that even means, but everyone knows it was a compliment. Add things like his up to half-hour solos on Moby Dick in every concert from 1973 - 1977, his lovely fills on Misty Mountain Hop and what he did on Achilles, and you have the makings of a legend. And, as Andy says, he died at 32, even though he looked 52 by then. There was plenty he wasn't so good at - e.g. for me, he lacked the sort of finesse you need to swing (the "roll" in rock 'n roll), which is why both D'Yer Mak'er and The Crunge don't work quite as they should, but JPJ always covered the beat so well, it was easy to overlook. PS: I agree with the comment below about not interrupting Andy. I get it, it comes from knowledge and enthusiasm, but this isn't a private chat - you have posted it on YT, so please bear that in mind, because yes, Andy has something a bit special as a speaker.

A lot of this conversation is technical ability vs feel playing what is right for the part - as Andy articulates very well. This does not just apply to drums, most of the very fast, technically amazing more recent guitarists, perhaps beginning with the likes of Van Halen, leave me cold when compared with the earlier guitarists - Gallagher, Kossov, Trower, Beck, Page, Moore, Blackmore, and of course Hendrix, who had feel, and tone and played more interesting fewer notes + mistakes. It's the classic Ringo problem in assessing the relative simplicity of his drumming vs its beautiful fit for the songs. I read somewhere Bonham knew he was not technically as good as certain contemporary drummers and that was a pressure that contributed to his drinking. I like the Keith Moon quote - “I’m the greatest Keith Moon-type drummer in the world.” It sums up the issue of trying to attribute greatness.

My new neighbor in 2015 told me that he was a drummer because he didn't know any better. I worked with him for years - his ego was huge and his curiosity just as humungus so it took a while to teach him what rock steady (with a downbeat if you're a master) was all about. I challenged him to rock steady with a shaker-egg for 6 minutes and he went ELEVEN MINUTES. Jimmy knows where the one is, you posh curd, he just doesn't care. Jimmy is a dancer, watch early Zep, he is dancing on the one.

Life is short. Play what you love. In my early 20s it was Alex Van Halen. After listening to every great drummer in the world I'm still impressed with Alex Van Halen.

Interesting takes…I think there is a larger than life aspect of both LZ and John Bonham that appealed to so many teenagers in the 70’s. There was the Aleistar Crowley angle, the Druids/Tolkien vibe, and the over the top decadent rock glamour aspect. Plus, as noted on the stream, John Bonham died young so there is that whole bit too (sadly). Another thing is that all the 70’s teenagers went on to create the Classic Rock Radio format that elevated LZ above all else for so many, many years. I like LZ a lot but I think there are so many drummers who made a huge imprint on 60’s and 70’s music (and beyond) that are now largely ignored by younger players. I’m thinking of Mickey Waller as one who came from that British blues boom that LZ popularized. Hugie Flint would be another. I suppose their discography’s are smaller but these are important drummers. You mentioned Levon and there is great drummer with a large discography and while he isn’t forgotten, he isn’t as known by younger players as he should. I think with RU-vid, a lot of the mainstay drummers of old generate the most views so Bonham and Grohl tutorials will always overshadow say one of Jim Capaldi’s drumming. That said, I appreciate you taking a different spin and making this video.

The answer to this is the fact that John Bonham, as well as Neil Peart, Jimi Hendrix, etcetera, died prematurely. Something seems to happen in the musical realm when an artist passes prematurely. People tend to lift these people up out of proportion to what they were actually capable of.

No one talks about Bobby Graham all over 1960s hits fabulous drummer

When someone says to me, "I'm a drummer" I toss them a percussive device, like something I built for a dollar eight cents (from a hemp shoulderbag) and/or a shaker-egg and I say "play rock steady" and I tap out a beat on my body - there's a word for it - and I say rock steady. I have met, in 70 years, very few drummers. Whatsit called when you slap out a beat on your bare upper and trousered lower body? Ginger Baker calls it "time". Bonham was frequently late, I wouldn't hire him. Ginger was always spot on.

Coming late to this but, love to see some love for Brian Downey!

Can you recommend some songs that you feel demonstrates Simon Kirke's best work? I am trying to understand why you would place him as equal or better than Bonham.

Wow, the host thinks Carmine Appice was in Humble Pie? And Andy can't name the drummers on 'Truth' and 'Beck-Ola'?! They are Micky Waller and Tony Newman, respectively (w/Keith Moon on 'Beck's Bolero', a tune featuring Beck, Page, Nicky Hopkins and John Paul Jones). Imagine thinking Hopkins was a drummer! The most in-demand session pianist in pop and rock gets mistaken as a drummer. Also, Andy cites Jimmy Page for Bonham's drum sound. That was Glyn Johns. He recorded the band's debut album - on which Bonham played standard sizes - though quit after Page apparently denied him the co-producer credit he says he was promised. Page then used Johns's mic'ing technique (and Glyn's brother Andy) to great the great drum sound of subsequent Zep albums. Also, the 'big drums' concept employed by Bonham was something he got from Carmine Appice, who at the time was with Vanilla Fudge and actually convinced Ludwig to give Bonham his big blonde kit (like Carmine's) and an endorsement. Don't know Vanilla Fudge? Andy's omission of them in his prog narratives suggests he doesn't. The original Deep Purple claimed they wanted to be the 'European Vanilla Fudge'. And we can be sure that Yes, Crimson and all that lot knew who the Fudge were, particularly after they played London. The UK had Cream and Hendrix; America had the Fudge...though their record output was often mis-guided and thus reductive to their legend. Bill Ward of Black Sabbath has said that Bev 'Basher' Bevan was the first of the heavy drummers to come out of Birmingham. And with the Move, notably starting with the albums 'Shazam' and 'Looking On' he got into the thunderous drums approach. This was possibly because the band was down to bass, drums and guitar (w/vocals), having lost two members along the way. Listen to 'Looking On' or 'Don't Make My Baby Blue', the latter a heavy remake of a tune many of us knew as a relatively rare vocal one from the Shadows.

The irony of what Andy said about his students unable to go beyond rock drumming and into other genres due to their obsession with Bonham is that what marked Bonham out of his peers is that he actually did that very thing...from rock, to funk, to reggae, to shuffled, etc

Great discussion. I am looking forward to yours and Andy's "Why I Don't Talk About Buddy Rich" video. :)

Seems a shame you can't recall Mickey Waller and Tony Newman from the first two Jeff Beck albums. Waller's work on Shapes of Things and Ain't Superstitious are two of my favorite drum performances ever.

0:14 It is easy to forget that Baker held the greatest drummer in the world spot for two - three years before he ended up leaving super popular groups. (He didn't merit that position, because there is no such thing.) Being in a super popular group adds loads to the reputation as being the best. It goes with the territory of being most popular.

I agree with Joe about British blues bands playing the blues. I appreciate the fact that the Brits loved the blues and promoted it, perhaps this was the great blessing from that era. But God, play a Muddy Waters record and an early stones….no comparison.

Funnily enough, Ginger Baker pointed out that Bonham couldn't swing. Baker was always mad, rumor has it, but is there anything to it? Bonham certainly doesn't swing the way his contemporary Ian Paice did.

He may have interrupted you once too often. ☺

I think Bonham (and other cultural icons like Hendrix and Joplin, for instance) although they were brilliant in their way, are lionized not only because of their talent but also because they died young and were popular when they died. We never saw them develop or change directions as some other musicians did. I remember in the late 1960s and early 1970s the number of greatest (you name the instrument) players rotated on a weekly basis. The fact that they were in immensely popular bands helped solidify their public image. A lot of drummers took inspiration from Bonham because he was in an extremely popular group. The natural inclination is to say the most popular is the best. I have seen that repeatedly through the years. The guy was talented and influenced a lot of people. That doesn't mean he was the greatest rock drummer. If you like Bonham and he is best for you, please feel so. I get people's reactions to reactions that seem like nitpicking. But there are legitimate criticisms that can be made of any drummer's style. There are and were SO MANY (not yelling/just emphasizing) talented players out there, it seems self defeating to get offended when someone points out the limitations of a hero. We are all human; we all have flaws--even rock gods; especially rock gods, in my humble opinion because we are looking at music through a very narrow lens.

Remember Jim Gordon. Clapton wrote about him that he was the best drummer he had ever played with.

5 minutes in and i decided that Joe the drummer is a hater...thumbs down!

I’m curious about your thoughts on Aynsley Dunbar?

I'm all for iconoclasm. I'm a Zep fan, though they're not my favorite. But I really can't agree with the thrust here. I think Bonham deserves his legend and is a far more distinctive drummer than people like Baker or Paice, with a sound and touch that stand on their own. To me he has a mechanical regularity that never sounds less than human with real blood flowing through it, contradictory qualities that I don't find in anyone else. And while he can't match the great jazz/fusion guys, his rock chops were exciting to hear and his solos had groove and musicality. As for Page, he was a flawed player whose abilities greatly deteriorated about 10 years into his career, but at his best he was a thrilling soloist as well as riffmaster and producer. So while I don't begrudge your distaste for them as players and for Zeppelin as a whole, I find your dismissals of them to be unsupportable.

Where to begin. First of all Im a Bonham disciple so there’s some bias there. Ive learned over the years that comparing musicians, drummers, guitarists, whatever is a bit ridiculous. They are just people expressing themselves. Yes, we all have our influences. The key to becoming a great musician or anything else for that matter is you have to stop trying to be someone else and start, learn how to be yourself. A jason bonham interview, he said his father taught him, paraphrasing, “Don’t worry about all that stuff. Just learn how to keep a straight forward beat” Success: Being with the right people, in the right place, at the right time. How many great musicians we will never know about have fallen through the cracks and given up because those 3 things just didn’t line up? A great drummer who in my opinion doesn’t get talked about enough, Danny Seraphine from the band Chicago. Listen to some 70’s Chicago and pay attention to the drumming. Jeff Beck’s freeway jam is a fascinating drum track to listen to. I think people need to lighten up and have an appreciation for all the great music from the last hundred years, and even before that. Consider yourself lucky to have had the privilege to be a witness to it.

Bohnam has inspired so, so many people to pick up sticks. Probably more than any other drummer ever besides maybe ringo. Whether you are a fan or not that should at least be appreciated.

Really Joe ?.. Bonham had amazing feel and pocket. He was a great drummer. And Page: Listen to Led Zeppelin II. “Where’s the one Jimmy” dopey remark. Page’s genius and contribution to music AND guitar playing can’t be understated. That said: His live playing got sloppy as he got more into drugs.

Very cool conversation. Drummer 40 years here. Not a zep or bonham apostle. Cool band. I dont like blues. Mine: 1. Bruford was my early guy. His way is just different. Sparse important notes. Not a time keeper. Plateau melody. Dynamics. Important way to start my journey. So musical. 2. Barriemore Barlow. More athletic and still very cerebral. I just love Tull. Fast powerful. Precise. Barlow my favorite english drummer. 3. Dave Weckl to me was God after I became sort of a good intermediate player. I stole a lot from weckl. Tickler supreme. 4. Peter Erskine. Important teacher for me. If i was to start a band, Erskine gets the stool. Plays everything well. Creative choices. Dynamics. Pure. Like his jazzy approach, not tooo jazzy but jazzy. Plays anything well! 5. Dennis Davis little known but Bowies longest tenured drummer. Funky jazzy and fast. Nice sound. Intricate and tireless. Bowies music really begins with his drummer. His name was Dennis Davis. 6. Of course, Stewart Copeland. Again, hugely influencial on me. Hi hat king. Changed my approach, again. Coordination change. I went Traditional because of him. Still my favorite live player, his energy is infectious. 7. And my last favorite, Todd Sucherman. As close to a technical Super Drummer as 1 can get without being a sterile athletic technical soloist. Emotional technician. Flawless yet not sterile, tasty. Can bombast with the best and become Dave Weckl 1 second later. If i came back, id like to play like Sucherman. My dream. I left guys out. Its not a greatest list... its my favorites list. Guys like Donati or Mangini or Lang et. al. Theyre mind blowing. Physically impossible for me to copy. But i dont like their music all that much. They kinda came too late.

Bonzo had flair other drummers lacked. He created tension and release like no other. A true artist. But you can’t teach that flair. Maybe that’s why you’re so frustrated.

My British drummer of all time is Mr. Ian Paice. Bonham was a goddam good drummer no more no less- great hype about him which I never understood. Carl Palmer, Bruford, Collins, Alan White, Appice, Dunbar, Powell to me were much more important than the only hard hitting Bonham. Like Ginger said:Bonham could not swing a minute.-so Joe The Drummer is right. But anyhow: how can you speak more than 1 hour about a band who does not exist for 40 years? Zeppelin is history. So Kudos to DPurple who have a new album and are still touring around the World.

Most drummers who worship Bonham do so b/c they are old, and listening to Zeppelin takes them back to their youth...back before mortgages, taxes, divorce, and working jobs they hate. He was a great rock drummer, and that is ALL he was. He did not take himself nearly as seriously as all the sycophants who scream endlessly about how "great" he was. I have more admiration for musicians who evolve and grow and look for new things to play; cannot say much for a player who mastered one style, and never did anything else.

23:40 ... exactly. John Bonham had a SIGNATURE sound, which the interviewer doesn't appreciate and from his remarks is obviously not a Zeppelin fan. It's all about finding a reason to bash Bonham. He wasn't the most technically proficient drummer but so what. That wasn't required in Zeppelin songs. Again he had a signature heavy sound and was an ideal fit for the band. Other drummers could have done the drumming but it wouldn't have sounded the same. Guys like Neal Peart were certainly more technically proficient almost to a fault of being too mechanical-sounding having played the drums for an additional 40 YEARS.....another drummer who never gets mentioned and who is criminally underrated is Bill Ward from Black Sabbath.

Bonham started great then became a sloppy drunk drummer…sad really…was so good but coke and alcohol poisoning took him just like Keith

Even with John Bonham in the title and Andy Edwards as a guest this video has only 4,000 views after a year, and only 97 'likes'. Rather that comment on what I like or don't like about this segment, I will suggest the following, some of which I see others have already mentioned. - The subject is trivial. Why should anyone care about why You don't talk about John Bonham? After all, who are You? If it was 'Ringo Starr On Why He Won't Talk About John Bonham' there would be greater interest. Andy would pull more than you with that title on his own broadcast. But for you, sorry, what you think doesn't yet matter enough. So, a better title might help. - It is far too long for the topic and the fact that it is 95% opinion with very little factual information. Were it the other way around - 95% fact, 5% opinion - the appeal factor would jump accordingly. Everybody has an opinion. - Continuing on the 'too long' theme: at almost one hour and twenty minutes you are simply asking too much of the viewer. Two hours of you two waffling in a conversation that wobbles between you attempting to force the narrative to your liking, Andy struggling to make himself sound credible ("I played with Robert Plant"...again and again here and elsewhere) and the chat overall verging on incoherence as you both struggle to recall names you should know before even considerng such a debate is a bit much to take. I skipped through. - As soon as you both revealed that you didn't know the names of Jeff Beck's early drummers, and you thought Carmine Appice was in Humble Pie (that was Jerry Shirley), the opinions from both of you largely lost their legitimacy, at least with me. I'm not saying they weren't valid, even worth considering. But it suddenly became hard for me (and likely others) to take anything seriously. - There is mention of Cozy Powell's drum sound. Listen to him on Jeff Beck's 'Rough and Ready', particularly the tune 'Situation'. I realise you are relatively knew to this interview business, so please take this as observation, not criticism. As I have learned, the best way to improve one's interview technique is to onjectively critique the footage and read the comments. Please feel free to delete this comment once you have read it. There is no need to respond. After all, this is just my opinion. 🙂

Rick Beato of the Midlands? If Rick had a soul.

Bill Ward definitely has a strong following and is in a similar category as Bonham - but he suffered from mediocre cardboard drum production. That's why the now widely available Sabbath Paris recording is so popular - the drums finally boom and you can hear the ferocity (and also the quieter dynamics) that that don't come across all that well in the studio recordings. Grohl is a basher in a way similar to Bonzo at times was but Bonham did had rudiments - certainly not at a Cobham or Weckl level - but much more than Grohl - who is 100% primal behind the kit.

And of course the great Charlie Watts!

As far as Bonham is concerned, outside of Krupas Sing Sing Sing... Bonham might own the 5 most memorable drum riffs in history. That kind of matters. Hes no master but look at what he came up with. In addition, he was in Zeppelin. Ive always argued only 1 band in the world could have Ever made the world forget their sorrow with the Beatles early retirement.... and thats Zeppelin. They were the biggest band ever. Im 55 and the Beatles were considered quaint in my childhood. Zeppelin ruled the world.

Dave Grohl turned from Drummer to Bandleader, Guitarplayer and Frontman, so why should he be idolized for a an Aspect that has no great significance for Dave Grohl‘s Music. The Little Richard Drummer referred to is Charles Connor who had a huge Influence on James Brown the Meta-Drummer.

Bonham was the drummer for Zeppelin and he changed rock drumming because of that. Ps always thought ginger was overrated no groove compared to Bonham sooo stiff (I know booo) also Bonham took a page out of Ringo didn't over play. Like look at the rain song doesn't come in till halfway thru then plays really tastful brushes. At the end of the day he's "Bonham" cause he played in the biggest band and was a really good drummer. Somebody had to do it.

Why is anyone famous,it just is.

Bonham's drums will never date. His sister said he loved Beatles, Motown and Hendrix.

Drumming comes from the heart, not the brain.

Not a prog or jazz drummer butI think richard ploog is a superb drummer but hes not complex or flashy just instinctive.

And one more thing no double bass drum everyone else needs double bass not Bonham why is that?

I just wanted to leave my opinion about Bonham ...What also made him great is that he was great from Zeppelin. His bombastic swagger fit those songs ..Hes like a heavy Ringo .All those other drummers that are technically better would not fit zeppelin ..Bill Buford you said was better but would not fit in that band .Thats like putting Peart in the Beatles those songs would not have that magic ..Bonzo was the drummer for that band and no one else even if they were better .Thats something else thats over looked and thats another reason why Bonham was great and not over rated when the smoke clears its about the music that he left us ...Stay well

It’s a case of sour grapes , if you don’t like Zeppelin fine but Bonham was mostly self taught , there are drum teachers who didn’t really listen to Zeppelin before and was completely blown away by his drumming, he was heavily influenced by jazz moby dick has jazz rock and using his hands which was something he pioneered. Now I will say and to be honest I would say about every great musician, he’s not the only great drummer, but he did have a super left foot and a built in metronome, even Hendrix commented on his left foot . And playing in the pocket. Should you worship him no. But you should respect his talent . Lastly he was 19-20 years old , he hadn’t had a real drum kit that long , he was a natural power house and should be respected. IMHO

Bonham was great at what he did... but I really never liked his feel. I respect all the folks who love Bonham. I really liked him on Led Zeppelin's first album; I was tired of him by Led Zeppelin 2. It's taste. I loved some individual performances (like Kashmir and Immigrant Song, a few more) but in general I found him too predictable for me personally. This is an individual observation... and I never really liked his feel, especially after LZ 3.

Bonham is the most overrated drummer if all time. And zeppelin the most overrated band too. These guys toured for years and never got anything right live. A really good band will reproduse their songs for the live audience and thay couldn't get anything right. Watch any live zepoelin vid. Watch them BUTCHER theur own tunes......and uf this drum teacher thinjs bonham is anything but a gack......well i puty his students. Bonham was a 2 on a scale of 25. He was TERRIBLE

I tend to think Bonham, like Ringo, benefitted from being in an immensely popular band. Stylistically, both fit their bands, but both are revered far too much, especially given the talent pool active at the time. They're good, even great, drummers at times, but given far too much importance. I don't question their fans' opinions; I have just heard a lot of drummers, including some of the greatest jazz drummers. Bonham actually limited, with few exceptions, the progress of rock drummers. I think of how differently things could have worked out if let's say, Jon Hiseman, who is a monster drummer, had received the attention Bonham did. Also, I agree completely with Andy about Ginger Baker. Baker helped create late 1960s rock drumming and he could handle different music's. I strongly disagree that Mickey Waller on Truth or Tony Newman on Beck-Ola sound alike at all. Waller, in particular, had a very distinctive sound and style. When I first heard Bonham I said, great drummer, he fit in well, but I can't say he impressed me all that much. I heard nothing new. Waller was more original, at least to my ears. Levon Helm is the kind of drummer I just ignore. He is soulful but kind of dull to me. I really dislike that kind of understated drumming.

JB is the best drummer in the world FOR THAT BAND .. end of Deities are a product of commercial media Music is not a competitive sport!

I grew up listening to led Zeppelin on the radio as a teenager Bonham influenza every Rock drummer that came after him. every Rock drummer mixes his drums in the studio. Like Bonham he was a powerhouse. But I think Tony Williams Billy Cobham were better drummers. they could play jazz fusion and rock. Bonham could only play Rock so he was limited in that regard as a drummer in musical terms. The only really bad thing about Bonham was he was alcoholic he died at 32 he look like he was 40 years old.

Wait, are we comparing Bonham to jazz fusion drummer? I thought Bonham was the greatest, most high exalted one for rock n roll drums. 😂

Sorry but this discussion REEKS of musical snobbery. Jimmy Page knew what note went where, what part went where, what parts to overdub that would enhance the SONG. Sure he often did it messily even outright misses notes at times (not unlike Angus Young I always thought) but he's serving the song which is all that matters to me. As to John Bonham's lack of originality - give Hots On For Nowhere another listen. And NO its not just production.

It's a Jazz snob thing.

Andy thinks Vinny is the best drummer ever, so he's being diplomatic here. This guy I find extremely unlikeable. I won't be back.

I wish you would've picked ANY other drummer to bash.😠☹️😡

The guy who made this video is being an evasive ass the whole time. He starts by saying he doesn't want to put down Bonham's musicianship but then proceeds to dismiss it backhandedly and damn it with faint praise at every possible opportunity and in the comments to the video. The reason Bonham is the default pick for everyone's favorite rock drummer is that his groove was beyond comparison. It's not just how the drums were recorded, Andy is wrong about that. The same groove exists in all the early live recordings, which Jimmy Page didn't engineer. It's not about the fancy beats like The Crunge or the herta on Stairway, it's the fact that he could play a completely ordinary 4/4 beat and make it the funkiest thing ever. Not long ago I was at a public event full of 20-somethings, who were not born until way, way after Zeppelin disbanded. They come from the hip-hop/EDM generation. I bet a significant number of them had never heard of Led Zeppelin. "Whole Lotta Love" came on the PA system (it was a very good system) and all of them started shaking their asses. That's why he was great. Ian Paice is an excellent drummer but he never made anyone, much less kids young enough to be his grandchildren, do that. He also tried to jam way too many notes into his fills.

He slags Bonham and spends the next hour backpedaling it. 😂

Andy is better than Beato...

And yet here we are..🤦🏻‍♂️

Bonham played drums more musically than any other rock drummer. That's the difference. You can talk about technique all you like but its musicality that counts.

I don’t worship LZ but this guy is dead wrong about Page

🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁