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Our John Bonham’s Best Opening Drum Beats presents a tribute to one of the most loved drummers of all time. This article focuses on John Bonham’s opening drum beats in which it was pretty much just Bonam being featured before the rest of the lads jumped in. With a few exceptions almost all the songs on this list featured just John Benham’s drums at the song’s Start. These drum beats would become legendary.
John Bonham was born on May 31, 1948, in Redditch, Worcestershire, England. In 1968, Jimmy Page, guitarist of The Yardbirds, was forming a new band. He recruited Robert Plant as the lead vocalist, who then recommended Bonham for the drummer position. Bonham initially hesitated to join, receiving several offers from other bands, but he eventually accepted Page’s offer. The lineup was completed with John Paul Jones on bass and keyboards.
Bonham’s influence on drumming is profound and enduring. His work with Led Zeppelin set new standards for rock drumming, blending power, speed, and precision with a creative approach to rhythm and percussion. Tragically, John Bonham’s life was cut short on September 25, 1980. After a day of heavy drinking, he was found dead at Page’s home in Windsor, having choked on his own vomit while asleep. He was only 32 years old. His death marked the end of Led Zeppelin, as the remaining members decided they could not continue without him.
No one sounded like Bonham. No one ever will. He was unique, he was the best ever……..
# 9 – We’re Gonna Groove – Coda
Whilst we wanted to stick to the original Led Zeppelin studio albums, we thought Bonams’ opening drum lick on this track was too good to ignore. Originally written by Ben E. King and James Bethea, the song was initially recorded by Led Zeppelin during a rehearsal at Morgan Studios in London in January 1970. However, it was primarily known for its live renditions, particularly as the opening number during their 1970 European tour. The song was included on the posthumous live album Coda, released in 1982, which showcased unreleased tracks and outtakes.
# 8 – Boogie With Stu – Physical Graffiti
Our favorite Led Zeppelin album makes a quick appearance on this Bonhams list. “Boogie with Stu,” was released on the 1975 double album Physical Graffiti.. Recorded in 1971 at Headley Grange, a historic English mansion known for its distinctive acoustics and informal setting, the track stands out as a lively, impromptu jam session featuring the Rolling Stones’ road manager and pianist, Ian Stewart.
“Boogie with Stu” is notable not only for its musical content but also for its origins and the ensuing legal considerations. The song is based on Ritchie Valens’ “Ooh My Head,” and Led Zeppelin’s version pays homage to Valens while infusing it with their distinct style. To acknowledge Valens’ influence, the band included his mother, Connie Valenzuela, in the songwriting credits, ensuring that she received royalties from the track.
# 7 – D’yer Mak’er – Houses Of The Holy
Oh, those drums are just so heavenly. It’s such a simple drum riff that he’s playing, but he creates a sound that no one can duplicate. The song was released in 1973 as part of Led Zeppelin’s iconic fifth studio album Houses of the Holy. The recording sessions for “D’yer Mak’er” took place at Stargroves, a country house owned by Mick Jagger, and at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. The song was born out of a spontaneous jam session.
“D’yer Mak’er” achieved significant commercial success, becoming one of Led Zeppelin’s more accessible and radio-friendly tracks. It peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. The song’s catchy melody, combined with Plant’s emotive vocal delivery and Bonham’s distinctive drum groove, created a sound that was both familiar and refreshingly different for Led Zeppelin fans.
# 6 – Moby Dick – Led Zeppelin II
I can still hear Robert Plant’s live vocals saying Moby Dick, Dick, Dick….. You know what I’m talking about. Moby Dick was John Bonham’s shining moment during Led Zeppelin’s live shows. “Moby Dick” was an instrumental tour de force from Led Zeppelin’s 1969 album Led Zeppelin II. However, it was the live versions that made this one a truly epic legendary classic by Bonham.
# 5 – Good Times Bad Times – Led Zeppelin I
Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times Bad Times” is the first of two songs on this list that don’t just feature John Bonham alone at the start. However, the accompaniment is very sparse, and it is truly indeed John Bonham’s explosive drum fills and groove that take center stage at the song’s opening, which made us feel that this one should be on this list. The song was released on Led Zeppelin’s debut album Led Zeppelin. It was the album’s opening track.
# 4 – The Ocean – Houses Of The Holy
Led Zeppelin’s “The Ocean” is the second of two songs on this list where John Bonham is accompanied by his bandmates during the song’s opening riff. However, Bonham does start this song off with his iconic counting that they included on the record. And of course, those fills that he plays in between Page and John Paul Jones’s riffs are just so rock and roll iconic that we had to include this one. It all happens before Plant sings a word. “The Ocean” was released on Led Zeppelin’s studio album Houses of the Holy.
# 3 – The Rover -Physical Graffiti
In the number three spot on our “John Bonham’s Best Opening Drum Licks” article is “The Rover.” “The Rover” may very well be Bonham’s most underrated opening drum riff. However, it’s not on their most underrated album; Physical Graffiti is thought by many to be Led Zeppelin’s best.
# 2 – Rock And Roll – Led Zeppelin IV
# 1 – “When the Levee Breaks” – Led Zeppelin IV
We close out our “John Bonham’s Best Opening Drum Beats” list with a song that always stands at the top of almost every Led Zeppelin fan’s list of favorite Zep songs. The song was originally written and recorded by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929 about the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. However, Led Zeppelin did what they always did with old blues classics, completely reinterpreting and reimagining the song. It sounds nothing like the original; it sounds like Led Zeppelin. This may very well be John Bonham’s most shining moment in the studio.
John Bonham’s Best Opening Drum Beats article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
