Exactly 43 years ago, the band – which was at its most glorious moment – faced mourning amidst the climate of tension and negativity in its final days.
Exactly 43 years ago, on December 4, 1980, the history of rock changed completely with the announcement of the closure of rock music’s activities. Led Zeppelin. The end of one of the biggest bands of the genre caused a huge commotion, but it remains alive with an invaluable legacy that inspires thousands of musicians around the world to this day.
Living like superheroes, the Led Zeppelin He was always treated by the media and fans like kings and they couldn’t see – or refused to see – that they were being devoured by the very machine they had created.
In 1977, journalist Steven Rosen wrote for LouderSound about the dark and negative scenario that the band was already facing. See an excerpt from the report below:
In fact, in the four or five performances I saw, the band felt like they were just playing by the numbers. Although there was no opening band and Zeppelin often played for over three hours, the music seemed to have no life or emotion.
Rock n’ roll’s hedonism took the band to extremes – especially John Bonham. The group’s separation occurred approximately two months after the premature and tragic death of the band’s legendary drummer. Led Zeppelinon September 25, 1980. He was found dead in the guitarist’s house Jimmy Page.
The day before, the 24th, Bonham met the members of the rock band to plan a tour of the USA – the last one had been to Europe. Both before and after the meeting, the drummer drank large doses of vodka.
On the afternoon of September 25, 1980, the businessman Benji Le Fevre and the bassist John Paul Jones find the body of Bonham. The autopsy revealed that the drummer died from asphyxiation. The musician choked on his own vomit after consuming the equivalent of 40 shots of vodka.
With the news of the drummer’s death, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page It is John Paul Jones canceled their US tour, and for a few months rumors circulated in the press and among fans, raising speculation about a new drummer for the band. Led Zeppelin.
The rumors ceased after the statement released by Atlantic Records to the press, informing that the Led Zeppelin preferred his end to moving forward without his friend and drummer John Bonham. Check out an excerpt below:
“We want it to be known that the loss of our dear friend and the deep respect we have for his family, along with the deep sense of complete harmony we felt for ourselves and our manager, led us to decide that we could not continue as we did. we were.
The last time the remaining members of the band performed together was in 2007, at the tribute show to Ahmet Ertegun in England, with the participation of John’s son, Jason Bonhamon the battery.
After 11 years and eight albums, the Led Zeppelin, one of the greatest bands in the history of rock, came to an end. And, in 2016, John Bonham entered history after the Rolling Stone USA elected him first in the list of “100 best drummers of all time”.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
