Power and Intricacy: the handful of tricks John Bonham used to create his signature sound
Among the greatest drummers that ever lived, John Bonham stands out as a shining beacon, one that has long captivated the world of rock since Led Zeppelin first broke onto the scene in the mid-1960s. Pioneering techniques like off-beat, bass-drum and triplets, Bonham changed the landscape of drumming forever, influencing countless percussionists to emulate his thunderous spirit.
When Zeppelin first emerged, they won music lovers over almost immediately, who had swiftly begun to long for a colossal rock entity to fill the post-swingin’ sixties void. Zeppelin weren’t always polished, but their stadium rock sound proved that the next phase of rock would be the biggest and best yet, even if it rubbed some of the more traditional players up the wrong way.
Bonham wasn’t necessarily an overlooked facet of the band in the early days, but he certainly didn’t have the legendary status he has today. Many musicians even criticised the arrival of Zeppelin and Bonham’s playing, which sometimes occurred among the band members from time to time. However, most of the time, this either stemmed from perfectionist approaches or unintentional criticism.
And in the extreme cases, it was rooted in jealousy and angst. At least, that seemed to be the case with the members of Cream, who seemed never to have a good word to say about their rock rivals, probably because they formed first and grew sick of the constant comparisons. Ginger Baker, for instance, once had some choice words when he described Bonham as a bad drummer who “couldn’t swing a sack of shit.”
However, as we know, Baker is considerably unique in his position, given that countless music fans and other musicians disagree with his opinion of Bonham. As a self-taught drummer, Bonham is one of the most respected and cherished drummers ever, and for good reason. Moreover, his future seemed hard-wired in him from an early age when he would create rhythms as a child by banging on objects and walls around his house before he got a real kit and started playing with other drummers.
Many have tried to emulate Bonham’s sound, especially as it appeared so unique and meticulous that it was never about the kit he had; it was all about the steps he took to establish his own spin. When broken down, these included a handful of tricks, including his positioning behind the kit, how he tuned his drums, the size of his drums, his grip, and the equipment he had in the studio.
Bonham famously sat low behind his kit, which meant he deliberately approached the instrument distinctively from his rock predecessors. This not only positioned him closer to his own sound but meant that each beat and rhythm felt loud and powerful yet intricate, even when it blended into the broader sonic arrangements of a song. He also held his sticks almost halfway up instead of at the bottom, which gave him more control, particularly when executing his signature swinging grooves.
Alongside using bigger drums, Bonham’s drum mics were also used to enhance Zeppelin’s sound in various ways beyond their usual purpose. Sometimes, this would contribute to their broader, thunderous stadium rock sound, but other times, it added specific nuances to songs that made the drum appear layered rather than placed in an overbearing manner. Though many find it difficult to emulate Bonham’s signature drumming style, understanding these subtleties paves the way for appreciating his specific technicalities and how he became one of the greatest drummers that ever lived.
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