10 Greatest John Bonham Drum Songs
John Bonham - Bent Christiansen / Youtube
What would Led Zeppelin be, without John Bonham? The supreme being of all the drummers in the classic rock era, Bonham shaped the sound of Led Zeppelin, which ultimately became a legacy of rock music. Inspiring almost hundreds of artists to continue the legend’s style of drumming, his name will remain in the years to come, so long as there’s music, he will be remembered. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the greatest Led Zeppelin songs featuring the almighty skills of the late drummer.
“When The Levee Breaks” – Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
This is what you get if Bonham led the drums as a leading instrument. “When the Levee Breaks” has a hypnotic beat that makes you want to thank Led Zeppelin for having Bonzo display his power.
“Trampled Under Foot” – Physical Graffiti (1975)
John Bonham could pass as a hit R&B drummer if he ever was planning on leaving his band (which will never happen). It’s just wonderful to hear his drumming during the course of this five-and-a-half-minute track, which was said to be inspired by Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” according to John Paul Jones.
“Fool in The Rain” – In Through The Out Door (1979)
Another thing worth knowing about Bonham: he was a versatile player of the drums. Not only does he associate himself with heavy beats, but he also knows how to control a rhythmic swing of drums. All that is exemplified inside Led Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain.”
“The Ocean” – Houses of the Holy (1973)
It gets interesting, that’s what “The Ocean” is. John Bonham perfectly switches the time of the beat, and with that, it gets erratic and awesome.
“How Many More Times” – Led Zeppelin (1969)
This glorious rocker is all that is needed to close one of the band’s finest albums. The versatility of the drummer is beyond what’s expected, throwing smash, and still be hitting the delicate rumbles.
“Out on the Tiles” – Led Zeppelin III (1970)
The song was born out of the little phrase “out on the tiles” that Bonham used to say when going out of the town. The drum beats are phenomenal, and like any LZ tune, it’s worth listening to.
“Immigrant Song” – Led Zeppelin III (1970)
Although “Immigrant Song” was built around the magnificent riffs from Jimmy Page’s guitar, one of its highlights stems from Bonham’s clever drumming of this Norse Mythological track. The song was frequently used to open LZ live shows in 1970-1972, a splendid choice to open the concert hype indeed.
“Good Times, Bad Times” – Led Zeppelin (1969)
The drums became essential here, almost like it was meant to be the lead instrument. Bonham’s use of 16th-note triplets was inspired by Carmine Appice’s drum techniques in Vanilla fudge.
“Achilles Last Stand” – Presence (1976)
“Achilles Last Stand” is truly the highlight of LZ’s Presence album that not only shows how great John Bonham is on drum duties, but will also make you think of how insane he was like a monster with supreme-like power. Absolutely no one could top his superb skills.
“Moby Dick” – Led Zeppelin II (1969)
It’s a waste of time to make a list of John Bonham’s greatest songs without including this gem that truly empowers his drumming capabilities. During live shows, Bonham would go on and drum “Moby Dick” for at least 30 minutes.
