McSeven Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 No one in the world of rock drumming is as revered as Bonzo. The only person talked about in a demigod status when it comes to music is Jim Morrison of the Doors for singers. Hendrix for Guitar. What can Bonzo do that other drummers can't? Mc7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonOfDarkness Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I've always held the notion that with Bonzo "less is more". What I mean by this is that he really had a simple setup. His usual 5 piece which only swelled to a 7 or 8 piece with tympanis. Whereas drummers like Neil Peart or Mike Portnoy(Dream Theater) have enormous setups. But what Bonzo did with such a simple kit was amazing to say the least. His animal attack on the drums was ferocious. And what he did with a single bass pedal only double bass pedal drummers can achieve now. As far as his status as the "Hendrix of drums" that's open for debate. Personally I think so but there are a lot of great drummers in the rock world. Many of whom draw upon Bonzo as a huge inspiration. Great topic by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonOfDarkness Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 oops... don't know how this got a double post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hickory Man Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 No one in the world of rock drumming is as revered as Bonzo. The only person talked about in a demigod status when it comes to music is Jim Morrison of the Doors for singers. Hendrix for Guitar. What can Bonzo do that other drummers can't? Mc7 Draw upon his own soul for personal inspiration. Drummers that play from the heart and soul are extremely rare. I'm not sure about the Hendrix of drummers tag.... I just don't associate John Bonham with anybody beside John Bonham. A testimony to the man's style for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross62 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I've always held the notion that with Bonzo "less is more". What I mean by this is that he really had a simple setup. His usual 5 piece which only swelled to a 7 or 8 piece with tympanis. Whereas drummers like Neil Peart or Mike Portnoy(Dream Theater) have enormous setups. But what Bonzo did with such a simple kit was amazing to say the least. His animal attack on the drums was ferocious. And what he did with a single bass pedal only double bass pedal drummers can achieve now. Very true DragonOfDarkness,Bonzo's sound was electrifying too,deep,loud and aggressive.Or just quiet enough to let you know he was still there,in the background....waiting.The connection I can see that Mc Seven's trying to make is a tough one,Jimi was a totally absorbing guitarist to watch and hear,the term 'out of this world' I think,was penned for him.Bonzo's description wouldn't be far from that either,but it's hard to compare a guitarist to a drummer.Either way in my opinion they're both Rock Gods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ady Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Buddy Rich was pretty amazing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgeX9iYOFSQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross62 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Buddy Rich was pretty amazing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgeX9iYOFSQYou got that right Ady,there's plenty of hot drummers out there.One from the 30s-40's (big band era)you should look up is Chick Webb,small guy with a bone deformation (?) problem,he was THE man.(sorry for hi-jacking the thread) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footsteps of Dawn Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I like the Hendrix/Bonzo comparison in that they were both obviously phenomenal players, but what set them apart from their peers was their ability to play with soul, like Hickory Man said. When Hendrix hits those high notes, or when Bonzo pounds out a fill, you feel it! I would associate guys like Neil Peart with Eddie Van Halen or Yngwie Malmsteen - they're awesome players, and can do amazingly technical stuff. I definitely fall on the "soul" side of that old debate, though; I don't want to just appreciate the difficulty of what they're doing - I want to rock out, too! That's just my take on it, though...I know there are a million different opinions on that issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supraphonic Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 No one in the world of rock drumming is as revered as Bonzo. The only person talked about in a demigod status when it comes to music is Jim Morrison of the Doors for singers. Hendrix for Guitar. What can Bonzo do that other drummers can't? Mc7 still be heard and held in awe by most modern drummers . i wish i had seen Bonzo , Hendrix ,Ronny Wood and Nicky Hopkins jam at the Marquee club in 69! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rover Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Bonzo is Bonzo.... NO ONE else in Rock did what he did. Period. I VERY MUCH like and appreciate what Bonzo did... and didn't do in his drumming throughout Led Zeppelin's recording and performing career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyGuitar Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Bonzo IS the Hendrix of Drums...or is Hendrix the Bonham of guitar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suz Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 I think so. He took it to another level, like Hendrix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonOfDarkness Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Bonzo IS the Hendrix of Drums...or is Hendrix the Bonham of guitar? Right on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheZeppyWanderer Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Bonzo IS the Hendrix of Drums...or is Hendrix the Bonham of guitar? you took the very same words right out of my mouth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgeholder Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Yes! Bonzo IS the Jimi of drums. I've always thought so. Bonzo carried his distinct sound with him everywhere, no matter what concert hall, or drum set (wood, acrylic or stainless steel), or recording studio. He can play a quick warm-up lick and you know immediately it's Bonzo. Even though he gets plenty of respect. I think he deserves EVEN MORE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonzoEqualsGoodStuff Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Of couse Bonzo is the Hendrix of drums! Asking is nearly unnecessary. But I mean really, in my opinion, the drums are the heart of so many Zeppelin songs. I can't think of any other drummer that makes me focus on percussion more than anything else. This is especially significant because JIMMY PAGE is on guitar and I still like the drums better. Talk about your outrageous statements. Of course this statement may have a SLIGHT bias cuz I love Bonzo more than any other rock star who ever existed... and Johnny Depp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Led Zeppelin Fan00 Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 He's the Page of drums, not the Hendrix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mangani Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 John Bonham was and still is the most instantly recognizable drummer of all time. The man just stood out a mile from anybody else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
achillestand Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 John Bonham was and still is the most instantly recognizable drummer of all time. The man just stood out a mile from anybody else. Of course Bonzo is a brilliant and awesome drummer, but I don´t think he is so far ahead others. Ian Paice is an incredible performer, even when his band was falling a´´art in 1976. And bonzo himself said that Barrie Barlow was Englands best drummer ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chef free Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 The question was why is John so great. I can think of two big reasons: 1. He hits the drums so hard you can see the whole set jump off the ground! 2. He understood that empty space (quiet) is part of the music. How many times did he set me up to think something was comming next only to leave a big blank spot echoing in my head? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_Owens Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 There's another guy out there that was right with John: Keith Moon. They BOTH were phenominal and, in my humble opinion, have never been equaled. Yes, there are faster drummers; more technical drummers, more musically talented drummers...but those two are in a class all their own. They are brothers of a sort. They both play with not only passion, but wreckless abandon. How hard they hit was really amazing. They could make their drums sound like no other. Like cannon. They do that these days with synthesisers and mics. Back then, it was simply them and a simple kit. Was John the Hendrix of drums? Yes. Yes he was. He wasn't very technical at all. He had no real musical talent or education as such. He just dove in head long, plowed into it and came out on the other side not really knowing what he had just done. And it sounded out of this world. And still does to this day. Regards, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazedcat Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Bonham was funky and played funky. That's what always stood out for me with his playing. He always seemed to have this groove to his playing. Although I avoid it like a plague, modern hip hop samples Bonham a lot...........which I guess speaks volumes for just how swinging and funky he played. Somebody else mentioned his use of space in his playing........yeah that too. Bonham was great without a doubt. Regards; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamusic123s Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Yes, Bonzo is pretty much the worlds best rock n roll drummer. Yeah, you've got Neil Peart, or however you spell it, and you've got Moon, and you've got Ian Paice. But Bonham was worlds more creative and innovative than these guys, and kept a simple kit in the process. Bonzo brought the "Thunder" into drumming period. Listen to Dazed and Confused, Good Times Bad Times, Black Dog, Communication Breakdown, or Rock N Roll (a song that was actually written primarily by Bonham). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanni Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 I've always held the notion that with Bonzo "less is more". What I mean by this is that he really had a simple setup. His usual 5 piece which only swelled to a 7 or 8 piece with tympanis. Whereas drummers like Neil Peart or Mike Portnoy(Dream Theater) have enormous setups. But what Bonzo did with such a simple kit was amazing to say the least. His animal attack on the drums was ferocious. And what he did with a single bass pedal only double bass pedal drummers can achieve now. As far as his status as the "Hendrix of drums" that's open for debate. Personally I think so but there are a lot of great drummers in the rock world. Many of whom draw upon Bonzo as a huge inspiration. Great topic by the way. I have to agree with the first part of your post which was exactly what I was going to say. I know most of you have seen this but take a look at this video from Royal Albert Hall '70'. Right at :54 of the video is absolutely amazing. There is no other drummer that can be called a legend! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd4NDf7ciK4...feature=related Lanni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwizeppelin Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 jim morrison as a leading singer hahahaha now that really is funny. great lyrics but please...... as for Bonzo well he was just untouchable. Moony on a good night maybe but Bonzo remains my favourite drummer. As the other bloke said the Page of the drums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.