Posted on 09/25/2012 7:07:15 AM PDT by ConservativeStatement
On Sept. 25, 1980, at 32 years of age, Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham passed away, inadvertently bringing an end to one of rock’s greatest bands.
The group’s final studio effort ‘In Through The Out Door’ had been released in Sept. 1979 after many delays. In May 1980, the group performed what would be their last European tour. That September, the band was in rehearsals at guitarist Jimmy Page’s house in advance of an American tour.
(Excerpt) Read more at ultimateclassicrock.com ...
Definitely Metallica in the 80s. Frank Zappa deserves a seat in there somewhere, as well as Sabbath, Motörhead, and so many others.
I think we’re going for who was the most popular, not necessarily the best.
Personally, I think XTC was the band of the 80s, but that’s just me.
The Police could be in the mix.
The Police would have been if they made any albums after 1983.
I agree with ya
Sad Day, I remember hearing the news. I stacked all my Zep Albums on the Stereo and drank Jack Daniels while they played.
Love that movie.
I would submit Dire Straits as another potential band of the 80s, they certainly made some of the best albums of that decade.
MTV was a huge contributor to bands getting publicity. Duran Duran was a primary recipient of the video area.
“era” (not area).
The older I’ve gotten the more I appreciate Bonham’s drumming.
And Van Halen was another big 80s band that remained popular, even when Sammy Hagar joined.
Bonham seemed to be trying to evolve his style on the last few albums. I’ve always thought he was about ready to make a big jump style wise, but we’ll never know.
It’s interesting to note that the rest of the band (Page in particular) actually exercised veto power over Bonham’s playing style and equipment. Bonham wanted to used double basses, and Page nixed it. If Bonham got too busy or creative on a song, Page would dial him back.
In an era when big drum sets were the norm, Bonham played a very basic kit—single bass, snare, 1 rack tom, 2 floor toms. It’s my understanding that the rest of the band pushed Bonham to stay with a basic kit.
Everyone gives Townshend all the credit for the Who's sound but without Ox and Moonie Pete would just be a funny looking skinny boy jumping around on stage.(Granted he can play the shit out of his guitar but so can lots of other Guitar players but few rhythm sections are in the same league with the Who's!)
Another Jon Lord passed a few months ago, I started listening to Deep Purple, and I have to say that Ian Paice is right up there with any of them.
s/b “After” not “Another”
That was my first thought, of course if Cobain hadn't eaten a buckshot lunch then it would've been Nirvana.
I still say The Who, circa 1970 (see their Isle of Wight DVD) were the greatest band ever, when you consider the bassist, drummer, singer and guitarist. Watching Zeppelin live is boring compared to watching The Who in their prime.
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