Beast: John Bonham and the Rise of Led Zeppelin

The first-ever biography of John Bonham, the legendary drummer of Led Zeppelin, explores his early life, rise to fame with the band, and tragic death in 1980. Despite never taking formal lessons, Bonham was considered one of the greatest rock drummers of all time and played a crucial role in Led Zeppelin's success in the 1970s.

Format: Hardback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2021
Publisher: Hachette Books

Beast: John Bonham and the Rise of Led Zeppelin is the first-ever biography of the iconic John Bonham, considered by many to be one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) rock drummers of all time. Bonham first learned to play the drums at the age of five, and despite never taking formal lessons, began drumming for local bands immediately upon graduating from secondary school. By the late 1960s, Bonham was looking for a more solid gig in order to provide his growing family with a more regular income. Meanwhile, following the dissolution of the popular blues rock band The Yardbirds, lead guitarist Jimmy Page sought the company of new bandmates to help him record an album and tour Scandinavia as the New Yardbirds. A few months later, Bonham was recruited to join the band that would eventually become known as Led Zeppelin - and before the year was out, Bonham and his three bandmates would become the richest rock band in the world.

In their first year, Led Zeppelin released two albums and completed four US and four UK concert tours. As their popularity exploded, they moved from ballrooms and smaller clubs to larger auditoriums, and eventually started selling out full arenas. Throughout the 1970s, Led Zeppelin reached new heights of commercial and critical success, making them one of the most influential groups of the era, both in musical style and in their approach towards the workings of the entertainment industry. They added extravagant lasers, light shows, and mirror balls to their performances; wore flamboyant and often glittering outfits; traveled in a private jet airliner and rented out entire sections of hotels; and soon became the subject of frequently repeated stories of debauchery and destruction while on tour. In 1977, the group performed what would be their final live concert.

Despite their success, Led Zeppelin faced numerous challenges throughout their career. Bonham's addiction to alcohol and drugs took a toll on his health and contributed to his death in 1980 at the age of 42. The band also faced criticism for their over-the-top performances and their reliance on studio production, which some critics argued detracted from the raw energy and spontaneity of their live shows.

Despite these challenges, Led Zeppelin remains one of the most beloved and influential bands of all time. Their music continues to inspire new generations of musicians, and their legacy as one of the greatest rock bands of all time is secure. John Bonham's incredible talent and dedication to his craft made him a legend in the music industry, and his impact on the world of rock and roll will be felt for generations to come.

Weight: 708g
Dimension: 165 x 237 x 41 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780306846687