The Trouble with Bonham. 1978-80

[DallasTexan]

On 8/7/2018 at 3:11 AM, Mithril46 said:

Well I think the touring, back then it wasn't so easy to find good vegetarian food except in the largest cities, and not sure Jimmy

would ante up all the delivery costs and hassles involved. I do remember reading that Jimmy was stuck many times with room

service, and usually that was hamburgers and fries. Jimmy was vain, but I can't really see him watching his weight, unless you

mean avoiding underweight, which of course would affect his playing. Even the Heroin, don't know if the weight loss was 100%

drug related. Perhaps a stupid explanation, but when Zep started in with all the accidents and "bad luck", there are a few mentions  that Jimmy was pretty unnerved and psychologically affected pretty negatively by all the bad events and  vibes

surr ounding the band starting somewhere about 75'. .???

Early on it was JPJ who didn’t want to tour and was close to quitting in 1974-75 timeframe. Apparently he wouldn’t come around the band much in those days when they were not touring. I think like, bohnam the long family separation really bothered JPJ.  After Robert’s accident in Rhodes, I think he wanted to slow down and take some time.  Jimmy was really pushing the band back together to record before Robert was ready.  Jimmy was really the one that kept the band going in the latter years, but allegedly his drug use caused him to withdraw as well towards the end.  Physically we all know he looked tired.   Most of us know that it was not Jimmy’s spiritualism or lack thereof that derailed the band.  it was the high demand for tours, drugs and alcohol coping mechanisms, family separations, and ultimately premature loss of life that ended the band.   In many ways they were all but done when the 77 tour ended prematurely.

 

 I think in 1980 the band had some momentum going, they were catching a 2nd wind and you can really hear it in the in through the outdoor record.  it was so unlike all of their other records.  Jimmy mentions that he and JPJ were both collaborating to use more guitar based jams on their next record, perhaps it was Jimmy fearing that he was losing some of his grip. Of corse plant was done after losing his son, but as you all have mentioned Bonzo talked him into coming back and I don’t sense that plant would have come back if he were not all in.  I think he wanted to turn the ship in the right direction and prove that they could complete another tour and perhaps do another record after in through the out door.  I think in the end it wasn’t an ultimatum, decline in drumming ability, or fear of touring that killed bonzo and LZ.  He did have some mental health issues and separation anxiety, but he was also known for drinking a lot while at home.  many close to him have told stories about it.  

Edited September 11, 2022 by DallasTexan