Mothership

Bonzo's Death, 34 Years Ago To the Day

I can't say much- I've been busy all day shopping for this and that, as well as seducing my stoner crush. For the basis of this post, I will elaborate. I hate to say that I'm going to have to go into more detail tomorrow for I cannot today. Anyways:

Today we mourn the untimely death of John Henry "Bonzo" Bonham who died on this day in 1979. He was perhaps the greatest drummer of all time and remains to be the only one of Zeppelin that has passed on (knock on wood he is the last! Yes, I know they can't live forever but THEY HAVE TO.) He was a daredevil, an alcoholic, and a loving friend, father, and husband. His symbol, the three interlooped circles, in the occult symbol for the Trilogy; his home life, that he loved tenderly; his career, which he hated and enjoyed at the same time; and everything else, which he lived fully. Eventually his alcoholism turned fatal and he died in Jimmy's house after passing out after having consumed over twenty or so orange Vodka shots as well as a bunch of whiskey.

I'll go more into it tomorrow, but I have no time today. I am so sorry. Listen to Moby Dick in memory of the greatest drummer of all time (I'm learning Moby Dick on guitar and it's fun to play):

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65 Years of Our Golden Overlord

A happy birthday is due to Robert Plant tomorrow! Happy almost birthday, Percy! I won't be around tomorrow to post this, so here it is now.

Fun fact about the Golden God: in the early days of the New Yardbirds, while touring in Denmark and all those Scandinavian countries, a short while after Keith Moon (above) had suggested the name "Led Zeppelin", Planty stopped into a bar. He had a few drinks, but the real story here is that as Robbie went to use the bathroom, he took a marker and wrote "ROBERT PLANT OF LED ZEPPELIN" on the wall to see how it would look when he was famous. The owner promptly painted over it.

Can you say regret? Happy 65th birthday, Rob!

History Lesson: Bad Company 1974

The black and white ones are at Bad Company's Austin, Texas show during their 1974 tour of America. Bad Company was the first band to be signed to Swan Song-- Led Zeppelin's own record company-- and the only successful one at that. Most of the members were from Free, with hits like Alright Now. Paul Rodgers, the singer, later went on to form a band with Page in the late 80s called the Firm, which lasted a few years before the band split and he took Freddie Mercury's place in Queen in 2005. Amazing how all of this was off the top of my head! Thank you, books!

History Lesson: Jimmy's Stamp

 

If you ever sent a letter to Jimithy in the 70s and were lucky enough to have him write back, you'd be sure to get this return address in the reply. And no, ignorant people, it's nothing satanic. That is pan, whom I only have knowledge of through my mythology studies, which I do a lot of on my downtime.

 

Pan is the god of shepherds and goats. He was extremely horny, in both aspects of having two horns and pursuing every nymph, naiad, and dryad around. He is said to have invented music, not Apollo, by using river reeds as a pan flute. So Pan is like Jimmy in a way, which really helps in understanding why he would choose the goat man of all possible gods.

 

I'm not sure about the water vase or the shepherd's staff though.

History Lesson: Led Zeppelin II

The bi-master copy (the one they test while the master is locked away) of Led Zeppelin II was so bass-y and heavy that the needle jumped off the vinyl when they tested it. Because of this, they had to remaster the album. They called it the Robert Ludwig (RL) master.

Now THAT'S how you know you've got a good album!

New Mission

I apologize for the unprecedented hiatus. You all shall have a story by Wednesday. I'm on another mission from God. Help me! None of you motherfuckers were of any help before! I've got new film to learn more about:

 

This one isn't the same day, but he's wearing the same cute outfit.

 

Same day (?) circa 1969. I'd put money on it being 1969. Perhaps they're in France? But no, in 1969, they were only in America. The grass is green and they're wearing long sleeves (must be chilly), so it has to be the north east. East coast... New York? Pennsylvania? Maybe it's England?

 

I'VE BECOME A ZEPPELIN ANTHROPOLOGIST.

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Jimmypage.com Anniversary

Jimmypage.com was launched two years ago today. Here's the lovely waiting tune! (The One That Got Away)

Caught In The News: Part V

Caught In The News: Part IV

Caught In The News: Part III

Caught In The News: Part II

 

Caught In The News: Part I

 

Many more (coherent) newsletters to come! 

History Lesson: Knebworth 1979

When Led Zeppelin had long since faded away as the best rock band in the world, Fred Bannister, a promoter, had asked Zeppelin to do two shows at Knebworth, both of which could hardly be filled. The first show only saw roughly 200,000 people, and a week later, at the next show, under 40,000 people attended. (Mick Wall, 2008)

My point for sharing this history lesson and these pictures is two facts about the programs you may not have known:

The sky was superimposed from Texas.

The sky was cloudy at Knebworth, so promoters took a Texas sky and superimposed it to make it seem more jolly.

They're looking at a naked girl.

Ever wonder what they're looking at in the distance? It wasn't the camera crew. It was a naked 16 year old girl; promoters knew Zeppelin had been edgy since Robert's son, Karac's, death, so to make it more comfortable for the band, they brought in a naked girl to loosen them up.

Jimmy's Pendant 1977

First of all, enjoy these pictures of Jimmy's performances at the LA Forum during the 1977 North American Tour. Second, would you kindly turn your attention to the necklace in all of these pictures.

Does anyone know anything about this necklace and pendant that Jimmy wore during the 1977 tour, specifically during-- but not exclusive to-- the six dates at the LA Forum? I really want to learn more about this pendant and I want to buy it. If anyone has any information at all on the necklace, please feel free to tell me all that you know! It would be much appreciated!

It's a silver-inlaid tear-drop stone that looks like (possibly) Turquoise, maybe Seraphina like the necklace I have now, maybe limestone (though they don't make pendants out of that, I'm just exercising my options here), I'm not sure. Help me out, Zeppelinites! 

I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT!

I FOUND THE SOURCE OF THESE CANDIDS AFTER 4 MONTHS OF SEARCHING. I'M SO PROUD! And I was right about it being Japan and the fact that it was early-stage, pre-Karac Zeppelin! I've never been so happy about film. I want more of these pictures. https://www.facebook.com/Thatsthway.Ledzeppelin?hc_location=stream

Hiroshima Memorial Park, 1971

 

 

 



Therefore, this picture was the same day, as I suspected!

Boleskine House

To help you all better understand where the gents are going in the next chapter, here's a little background on Jimmy's Boleskine House, purchased by him circa 1969 for the sole reason that Aleister Crowley-- the proclaimed father of modern black magick and magus (head magician) of the O.T.O (Order of the Temple of the East or "Ordo Templi Orientis") for his time in the early 20th century-- once owned and invoked  in it. So please take reference to this lovely [cited] Wikipedia article on Jimmy's house if need be; and I know Wikipedia isn't 100%, but I already know enough about this house from Mick Wall's When Giants Walked the Earth to guarantee that this all is right and it doesn't even skim the surface.

From Walls book, it is said that Boleskine House was very cold, haunted, a prone to leaks. Also, a black dog used to hang around, a kind old dog from which the Zep song draws its name, until circa 1971 when it died. From Wikipedia:

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Happy Birthday Bonny!

Please disregard the fact that I nearly forgot Bonzo's birthday... But here's a bit of a bio on the heart and soul of Led Zeppelin, then an interesting fact about him:

Born John Henry Bonham in 1948 in Redditch, Brum, England, Bonzo (as he was better known) became one of the founding fathers of the debauchery that comes with being a rockstar. One of the first to throw a TV out of a window or drive a motorcycle through a hotel, the drunkard was not only known for his antics but his talent. He knew how to drum with four sticks or even his fingers and was known to not be afraid to do whatever he wanted. When he joined Robert Plant in the Band of Joy in the mid-60s, he was noted to have said to Robert, "You're great, but your band's shit. You need a drummer like me." He hopped from band to band until he landed in Led Zeppelin where he made more than enough money to satisfy his lust for cars (always having 16 at any given time), drugs, and bourbon. He died September 25, 1980 (thus ending Led Zeppelin forever), but still remains to be the best known drummer to date, still known as "The Beast" among beasts.

Fun Fact: During the taping of When the Levee Breaks on Led Zeppelin IV, the band just couldn't get the rhythm right. So one day, when Bonzo-- drunk as usual-- stumbled into one of Jimmy's abodes they had all been staying at in Scotland,  he dragged his drum set into a hallway of the mansion that had cathedral ceilings and began laying down what is now one of the most ominous, well know, and most rhythmic drum beats of all time.

A Special Extra Fun Fact: Around 1970, Bonzo was having troubles with his drums falling apart from hitting them too hard, so Ludwig made him custom drums with added size to the bass drum (they made him two but Jimmy hated how loud it was and hid the second one) for more sound, and they also crafted John Bonham- brand drumsticks, thick enough to endure the abuse but not so big as to be... Well, Cheech and Chong size. Infact, with his new bass drum (and even before it), Bonzo was so loud acoustically that during concerts in the early days, they didn't even amplify Bon's drums, and they didn't put microphones near them because he was so loud that people in the way back could still hear him.

And to think that all along Bonzo's goal was to be recognized as more that just the drummer, when really he achieved more than being above drummer standards. There is no doubt who the best drummer to have ever lived is-- any man that can make a song just with drums is enough to make any Bill Ward, and Tommy Lee, and Phil Collins bow down in worship. Rest in peace Bonzo. May you drum after death, and have a wonderful birthday, where-ever you are.

Bon and Keith Moon!

And Ringo! [Sorry for the watermark...]

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Guess Who's 69 Today?

A hearty Happy Birthday is due to the greatest guitarist there ever was (save for Hendrix); Jimmy, my lover! Happy 69th, Pagey :) I found a rare picture this morning to share with you all for just a joyous occasion, but blogger wants to be a bitch, so I can't upload it. So for now, here's a different rare picture. Enjoy the lovely angle:

I bet Jimmy's happy he's finally as old as his favorite number. GAH, I love him so damn much!

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On this day in 1980, 2 months after the death of Bonzo, Led Zeppelin split. They issued this statement to the press on the decision:

“We wish it to be known, that the loss of our dear friend and the deep respect we have for his family, together with the deep sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were.”

Some Things You May Not Have Known About Jimmy

• He can't swim. Bonzo once threw George Harrison into a swimming pool at a posh country club and everyone jumped into the pool but Jimmy just walked down the steps and stood in the shallow end (in a white tailed suit) because he can't swim.
• He can't drive. When he was in The Yardbirds, Chris Dreja was his main chauffeur.
• Jimmy usually slept after every concert on the way home if he wasn't occupied with a groupie.
• Chris Dreja almost killed Jimmy and Jimmy doesn't even know it. While speeding home from a gig with the Yardbirds in Dreja's Minnie Cooper S (Jimmy was asleep as usual), Chris turned a corner and almost hit a donkey.
• While Jimmy slept in Chris's car, Chris would swerve left and right to see how long it would take Jimmy to wake up from hitting his head on the window.
• His  most common nicknames are Jim, Jim-jam, and Pagey.
• The only song Jimmy ever sang in and played all instruments in (besides drums) was She Just Satisfies. He thinks he's a terrible singer, but if you have listened to the song, his voice is beautiful!:

• Jimmy is in 60% of all songs in the 60s. Bands like The Rolling Stones, The Who, Them, and The Kinks hired Jimmy to play guitar for them while their guitarists were developing their skills.
• His first guitar was attained by accident. When he moved to Epsom at a young age, the house that he had moved into had an old acoustic guitar in his room. The family that had owned the house he moved into before his family had left the guitar behind. Jimmy took it and began to teach himself guitar. Talk about fate!
• Jimmy was, and still is, really good friends with Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck (both formerly of The Yardbirds).
• Jimmy was rated the third best guitarist ever by Rolling Stone magazine in 2011/2012. Eric Clapton was second, Jeff Beck was fourth, and Jimi Hendrix was first.
• Jimmy was into The Occult (Black Magic for a higher spirituality) but it was normally good-hearted. Jimmy said Zoso was an Occult symbol for something.
• He left school at 16 to join a band with his friend Christian Neil. It was around this time he got his first Les Paul (a Custom with 3 humbucks) and learned how to play with a Cello bow. He named the Les Paul "Fretless Wonder".
• He appeared on Huw Wheldon's All Your Own in 1957 and played Mama Don't Want Me to Play Skiffle Anymore:

• Jimmy was the creator of Led Zeppelin. Contrary to popular belief, it was not Robert who founded the band; it was Jimmy who formed it from the remains of The Yardbirds.
• He wrote most of Led Zeppelin's songs including the famous The Song Remains the Same and Stairway
• Jimmy was the one to suggest Jeff Beck join the Yardbirds after Clapton left instead of Jimmy, himself. They were friends since childhood.
• During the 1975 Madison Square Garden concert for the filming of The Song Remains the Same the movie, Chris Dreja tells Guitar World magazine that he was invited backstage and as soon as Led Zep began to play, the whole building began to shake precariously.
• Jimmy, Jeff Beck, Keith Moon, and John Paul Jones wanted to form a supergroup but they only got around to making one song. Beck's Bolero: