John Bonham

John Bonham is undoubtedly one of the most famous drummers of all time. Fans knew Bonham changed rock drumming forever the minute they heard him. "Good Times Bad Times," with its outstanding bass-drum hiccups, had an immediate impact on everyone who listened to it. John Bonham of Led Zeppelin was known for his instincts and feel of the groove, which shined through his love of speed, fast kick drumming, and hard-hitting power. For the most part, John was self-taught and tried emulating other greats, like Max Roach and Buddy Rich, after receiving his first drum kit at 15 years old.

Several drummers, like Chad Smith, Dave Lombardo, and Dave Grohl, all consider Bonham the most significant influence on their drumming. He's best known for his rock drumming, but later in his career, he began integrating funk and Latin styles into his work. Bonham's drum solo "Moby Dick" lasted over 20 minutes in front of a live crowd, and they loved it.

John is at the top of many of these lists now, but at the time, many critics didn't appreciate his style, claiming he lacked swinging in his timing. 15 years after Bonham's death, his band Led Zeppelin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Born: May 31, 1948
Died: 1980

Nationality: England