The Biography of John Bonham with George Fludas - Drum History Podcast
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- Опубліковано 9 січ 2022
- George Fludas is a Bonzo fanatic who shares his immense knowledge about John Bonham including a biography of the iconic Zeppelin drummer, a discussion of his touring years with Zep, and a look at what we do and don't know about his famous gear. This is a very long awaited episode that I have wanted to do for a long time and I am very happy that George came on to share a very respectful and interesting look at the favorite drummer of many players around the world.
Here is a link to George's "Bonhamology' youtube channel: / bonhamology
Here is a link to George's website where you can keep up with his gigs: www.georgefludas.com
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Outside of George and Terry being such knowledgeable experts on Bonham and his drums etc- I love how these two friends support one another and are genuinely happy for the other. We all can take a page out of their book for our own lives. Kudos!!!!!
George is one of a kind.What a drummer,what a musician!!!
We are all individuals, we strive to be ourselves. Look inside yourself and discover your inner fire.
John Bonham discovered this early and developed it through his life.
I just realised I was listening for nearly 2 hours!.
I played for Robert Plant for 3 years. I can confirm from him that he was a fan of Alphonse Mouzon.
I played that Ludwig kit that George mentions in this interview...
That’s awesome! Thanks for confirming that
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer hey Andy, thanks for chiming in!🙏🏼😄👍🏼
You most certainly did. Much respect friend.
You couldn't get a better discussion on Bonham than these two guys! Great job!
Thanks, Jason
Bonzo was so influential that he even had an impact on Hip hop music!
Important and good point.
That's not much of a stretch...
Remember reading that RunDMC sampled Bonham on their early work.
There was a sampler record popular in hip hop dj circles in the early 80s hat had some drums samples on it that everyone used for decades. It had the opening drum intro from When The Levee Breaks, & beats from Since I’ve Been Loving you, etc on it. Fatboy Slim talked about it once and said Bonzo was probably the most prolific drummer on earth bc of that. His beats are all over thousands of recordings.
Oh shit. Fludas is a beast. Plz do another in the future with Terry as well.hes my fav adhd rock dad drum hero. Guys just funny all around.
Yes plz get Terry n George and talk paiste and ludwig !!! And bonham
Bonzoleum and bonhamology - you folks better subscribe!!!
I saw Led Zeppelin open up for Taj Mahal December, 1968 at Fillmore West before the first album which came out shortly after that. It was incredible sound, light show and venue. Perfect all around. Being a freshman in high school and a drummer, it had a profound influence. I have always used a Rogers pedal; and I learned how to play expressively including bass drum like Bonham and similar to Sugar Foot’s style of footwork on single bass drum.
I got to see Buffalo Springfield, early Tower of Power, Jethro Tull first time at the Fillmore, and many others
I love rock, blues, funk and especially Latin and jazz. What an era. I got to see Its A Beautiful Day, Santana, Traffic and many others. I saw the great Louie Bellson before he passed away. He was the first double bass drummer! His playing was impeccable! He also was a dearly loved Christian whom everyone respected, always a Gentleman. Too often neglected now when people talk about great drummers.
Check out Ray Obiedo, a master guitarist with some of the best musicians, another under-rated but known as a musician’s musician. Dave Garibaldi, certainly one of the best did some playing and work with Obiedo.
I had the privilege of meeting the great musician and Christian Skip Mesquite of Tower of Power at Word in Fine Arts Event in Rome City, Indiana in the mid 1980’s. Skip was very kind and encouraging and made a great impression on me. In music, Fine Art, and in study of the Bible, Constitution, law and history, I have been fortunate to have learned from many Christians and others in these areas, as well as a long time studying spiritual matters. I thank God for all the great people I have been taught by and influenced by in the arts and the other fields of study above. This program was excellent!
Ray Obiedo’s name is corrected above by edit. It looked right before, this auto correct stuff isn’t always good!
I tried to look up the concert, I knew it was after Christmas 1968, but it appears to be in January. Well, this was many moons ago...the event was incredible! But the exact date eludes me? Glad I found this program and have to check out this Jazz drummer for sure! Thanks for the great information!
You have seen some great concerts!
I'm from Brazil and I've been following the exceptional work of George Fludas for some time and I thank the Drum History podcast (which I didn't know yet) for the great conversation. It wasn't just about Bonham but also about passion for music. Great! Lots of learning here!
Thanks Marcos!
Verdade, Marcos! O George é Grande músico. Também admiro muito. Abs
And that was Mr. George Fludas ladies and gentlements. Cool interview dear Georgie. We never get enough about Bonzo and i hope you can make anothers podcasts about his drumming, licks, drums sets and cymbals🎵🎵🎵🥁😉
Anyone who's viewed those new In Through The Outdoor mini documentaries made by Jose C., I believe it was in Stockholm's Polar Studios John is shown playing a black kit with two mounted toms which were shaped like horns that project the sound forward ... George and Terry - this is just a great dialogue between you two. P. S. That footage is from Bonham recording Rock Show with Paul McCartney & Wings. P.s., He was doing Paul McCartney's "Rock Show," recording with that strange black kit. And he used the '79-'80 aluminum kit when he and Robert did that live show with Sir McCartney.
So much good about this episode.
Nerd level 1000
I am a self taught drummer that never learned the rules and have a unique sound as well.
Great podcast, Bart. Amazing Bonham analysis, George. It's on a Bonham level of history.
Thanks for listening!
First time I heard Joe Morelo on take five (which was after I'd heard Bonham) I just said to myself OMG, Bonham totally listened to this!
I have been yelling this at the screen!
@@campcrafter4613 Me too 🤣 It's where he got the soloing with his hands thing
King George Fludas is one of the best drummers alive today.
Excellent interview, George and Bart!!!!!
Thanks, Terry!
l'll add what l can, [l'm a guitarist who loved Bonham from the first song on the first album.] There are anecdotes about Bonzo being in his funky farm clothing and going straight to the airport and getting on the jet with his farm clothes on. There's an anecdote of him getting in trouble at an LA hotel* for blasting the newest Alphonse Mouzon album in the middle of the night. l saw
Alphonse playing with Larry Coryell's Eleventh House at the Shaboo lnn in CT**. Alphonse had me mesmerized the whole gig, so l understand Bonham's fandom about AM. Lessee. He played a cardboard box with his fingers for the intro to Ramble On, and he's playing with 4 sticks on Four Sticks. He dressed onstage like a 'droog' from A Clockwork Orange because he liked the style. AND he must have been wearing diapers onstage because he drank copiously while playing live. That's all l got.
* The Riot House?
** Spring '75, l think
Brilliant Interview , love George Nice man , great drummer. I saw Bonzo only once with Zeppelin will never forget it. Gary Allcock and his memories of Bonzo are to be revered. Mr. George Fludas is the bonham feel and ability. great great great player.
Thank you , Paul. Where did you see Bonzo with Zep?
@@BONHAMOLOGY Hello fine sir , It was the First Knebworth Festival 4th August 79'. I am on the zeppelin dvd ! My friend Steve and I looking at his Cassette Recorder he would record the show on...oops !.
You can see the back of my head ha ha.
just after the 'Knebworth79' sign on the Tent In the extra's section. I could not believe it. 31/2 hours of magic.
@@BONHAMOLOGY ua-cam.com/video/KV7i7eaQtmU/v-deo.html
32 sec In. knebworth 79' That's me and my friend Steve, I still have the Tape. Best gig ever.
@@zepgen8 That is just incredible!! Wow!!!! I have to ask, have you shared your tape? I know there are many audience sources for the show. You must have been astounded when you first saw that clip! 😳
saw LED ZEPPELIN at Boston Garden, in September '71, and again about a year or two later. but that first time was memorable to say the least. we had floor seats, and on the front of the balcony ,they had a digital clock, being a sports arena. by the time we started keeping track, Bonzo, this animal, had played approximately for 19 minutes in the middle of 'Moby dick'. one of my finest concert memories. I remember the concrete floor shaking (or vibrating) when they came out for the opening tune, 'Immigrant song'. loud as a MFer. the next day, I was in my Junior High school, w/ partial hearing. that's right. the last nite of Summer vacation, I saw Led Zeppelin. to quote Wayne's World's Garth, "I'm not worthy".
Great interview and thank you . Hey I want to send out my Sincerest Condolences to the Foo Fighters on there loss of there drummer Mr. Hawks . 50 yrs young just sad. Blessings to all ..
Has anyone seen in UA-cam the newly found silent footage of the '70 Bath Festival? It shows Jimmy walking around with Charlotte M., It shows Bonzo walking around with that leather coat with the furry collar upturned ... And Julie Felix seems to be following Jimmy and Charlotte around. A bit of footage of Henry "The Horse" Smith holding court while setting up Zeppelin's backline. And lots of Robert Plant footage. Check it out.
George, you are a great drummer but a better person!
Well said G, at 20:52.
Keep the minutiae coming guys👍!
A great interview on a great subject.
Thank you!
The chemistry with the 4 members of LZ is unmatched. Not one can be replaced.
George: You were BORN in 1990?
Bart: Yep
George: I got married in 1990--hahahahahaha"
GREAT episode BTW!! Thank you George and Bart!
Thank you! This was a fantastic interview. A Levon Helm episode in the future would be great.
Last night I watched Terry K's Bonzoleum site and George Flutus plays the Song Remains The Same live Moby Dick drum solo and it was absolutely gdmn stellar. I mean spot on the dime. Check that out friends.
Great suggestion. I am going to try and set up a double episode with George and Terry soon
@@DrumHistoryPodcast - That episode was amazing, too! 😊👍
Steve Jordan says the “Rock and Roll” intro is the “Johnny B Goode” guitar intro...on drums. According to Waddy Wachtel. It does match up
It is, EXACTLY!!!!
It is not the same...it's close but actually Run Rudolph Run is more similar rhythmically. Johnny B Goode intro is the same , for the most part as this oldie...
ua-cam.com/video/YEqiWTb-UWA/v-deo.html
...which was a common " Jump" style rhythm and blues intro /lick. It goes way back. It's the vocabulary of Rock and Roll.
@@bonzoleum This one is more similar...ua-cam.com/video/MVu4c7dhDRE/v-deo.html
I don't agree about JBG
The best bar stool narrative stuff ever!
Excellent piece. I am a Bonham/Zeppelin fan whi saw them at Knebworth in '79
All of ur references are correct.
Thank you! What a cool concert to see
Great stuff here! Thx, Bart.
Another great episode! Like many here I've been watching George Fludas play drums since the day Terry Keating introduced him playing the Listen To This Eddie version of The Song Remains the Same three years ago. There's NO arguing with their drumming but we've all read the same books and watched the same videos and our slant on Zep trivia sometimes differs. I don't know who went with Page to see Bonham with Tim Rose (July 31 1968), possibly Plant but Peter Grant supposedly has a famous quote: "I knew Bonzo must've been a great drummer because Jimmy was so excited he didn't even call me collect." Zep's first rehearsal was less than two weeks after Page met Bonham. Telegrams in 1968 cost less than half a dollar so if Grant sent 40 of them to Bonzo's pub (making him appear to be a big shot in front of his mates) he successfully lured Bonzo into the band for about twenty bucks. But like George says many times, none of us were there. Now all of us are subject to stories that have turned into legends over half a century. I can't even recall if Bonzo played double bass the first time I saw Zeppelin during that short timeframe between late July and August 9th 1969 where Bonham supposedly played double bass drums on nine gigs. In late July and the first few days of August, Vanilla Fudge was touring with them and it's been suggested on the LZ website that Bonham and Appice may have used the same kit (Appice's) during those performances. There are photos of Bonham playing double bass on the 8th and 9th of August but Jethro Tull was opening for them then not the Fudge (but Bonham probably toured with a back up bass drum). The 8-8-69 bootleg is all over UA-cam so I guess tomorrow I'm going to have to give it a good listen with both ears open for any double bass.
I haven't listened to that recording in a while but I seem to recall the end of I can't quit you you can tell he's using the double bass drums. Thanks a lot, D. I recall reading that quote from Grant as well. I thought that Robert and Jimmy were there and Peter but it could have been more than one occasion that they went to hear him. I could see Peter's imposing presence having some sway over Bonzo at 20 years old. I'm pretty sure the fact that plant was Keen had a lot to do with it as well.
Bart and George - That was such a cool podcast. I always love chatting Zeppelin and most certainly Bonham. Thank you both for doing this, I will listen to it again at some point. Great job and thanks again.
Maybe in the picture with the headphones where he looks pissed he is telling Andy John's "wtf do you mean I can't go to the pub and they can!?
Early rock and jazz was the stuff Bonzo was playing in his first bands. You can totally here it in his stuff but it's always "Bonhamized" if I may just make up a word lolz. His ability to move you and make you feel the music is, in my opinion, second to none. It is sad that so much great music and musicians of the best ages of rock and roll were kind of taken for granted. I guess everyone thought it would last forever. He was/is and always will be be the absolute greatest. Thank you for this!
Jazz?
Thank you, excellent job.
Hey Bart hey George very interesting podcast this was very enlightening fantastic thankyou
Ha! I'm 52, been playin' drums for 6mos, for two reasons:
a) Because I've played Bass for 42yrs and sick of drummers Without a Kit (so I bought one!)...
b) John Bonham!
Welcome to the light :)
Bonzo got his first full Premiere kit at 15 and by 21 he was recording Led Zeppelin 1.
Correction: 45:58 - Paul Thompson did not cut down the 14" tom. That was done by the second owner of the Ludwig Thermogloss kit, Colin Fairley who purchased it from Bonham.
Yes, forgot about that detail.
The green sparkle kit was the one that suited Bonzo's sound the best, I think. Especially the sound he was getting from it from January-April of 1973. Absolutely monstrous! Could it have been a different mic technique, perhaps? On that European tour of March/April of '73 those things just sound like thunder.
Brummies is slang for folks from Birmingham.Bonzo was born to play drums if there ever was such a thing. Tony Iommi(another Brummie) says Bonzo always wanted to set in but no one wanted to let him behind their kits cause he would always destroy them.
It’s true you can’t objective whose the ‘best’ drummers. However what I adore about him is that I hear a sound that he carried ‘within’ him and within his power - feel and groove more than I hear with any other drummer.
100%
Need to see podcast..
Terry's talking about John's last day while driving from the Midlands to Jimmy's house in Clewer in Windsor; The Mill House. Well it was a guy named Rex King who drove him down south that day. If you type in "Pete Townsend Tour Diaries - flying from Chicago to Detroit," Pete and some of his touring staff are filmed going up in a Lear Jet and Pete introduces everyone once they're up in the air and he introduces Rex King who lately aids The Who while on tour. Just an interesting bit of information. Post script; I digress; this isn't Terry Keating/BONZOLEUM.
The story of early Bonham at 9:27 sounds familiar. Isn't that almost verbatim what Roger Daltrey says Keith Moon did with them in their doc?
Another absolutely fabulous episode! I've been playing drums for 40 years, and a Bonham fanatic for every one of those years. And I couldn't agree more with everything you both said.
With one small but important exception: whether you mean to or not, in your efforts to focus sheerly on the music and not on more perhaps salacious topics, you end up sounding like you're excusing some truly egregious behavior from one of the greatest drummers of all time. I'm not saying you need to focus on that behavior-hell's bell, if you don't want to even talk about it at all, that's obviously fine.
But if you ARE going to even mention some of his unsavory issues, even if only to say that you're not going to talk about them, it's important that you not downplay (intentionally or not) that really horrible behavior by then saying, "hey, he hated touring so much." I'm sure he did. That doesn't excuse it and by framing it that way it really does feel like you're asking us to forgive some really dark, ugly incidents as the understandable reaction of a sad man.
I'm sure this isn't going to be a popular take, but it was a tiny snippet of an otherwise outstanding episode and it really jarred.
That's a very fair point. I don't intend to excuse the actual bad behavior... however, there were obviously demons he was wresting with, which certainly contributed to that behavior. I just wanted to keep the primary focus on his drumming, since there was such limited time. I feel like for most serious and casual fans, the dark side is fairly well documented. I knew it'd be a bit of a delicate dance to bring up the subject of his addictions and behavior off stage. So many great artists in history have had demons that cause them to be abusive to themselves and others. Miles Davis, Pablo Picasso, Hemingway, the list is long. When I see documentaries or read stories that focus on those character flaws, I'm invariably left frustrated, because I feel like there's not much that one can take away other than, that was bad behavior you shouldn't do that to other people. I mean at some point we all know that certain things are inexcusable. That doesn't mean they're unforgivable. Also, much of it can be conjecture, so I feel like I am not truly qualified to specualte about what happened, or whom was wronged. It can be a rabbit hole and I'd rather stay on topic about the musical/artistic aspects. What isn't conjecture is that he had a serious alcohol and drug problem and it destroyed a promising future. It certainly led to pain and suffering for his family and friends, like Robert especially. It also likely contributed to the pain and suffering of some others who got punched around, and who were the brunt of mean jokes. I don't excuse or condone that in any way. I hope that most people would acknowledge that from the interview.
Jesus Dude. Most of these highly talented musicians suffer from one thing or another. He did all these amazing things despite these issues. This Isn't about his life. It's about his art. So kindly piss off with this shit.
It’s about the music and his talent not his personal life. It is what it is, just like John he was what he was. He’s going to be remembered for his uniqueness in drumming, not his drinking habits. So why would that need to be discussed here. ✌🏻
@@bluesvillestation I agree...except that his personal life WAS brought up in the interview. If you're going to talk about the absolutely atrocious things he did in personal life, then you can't just handwave them away. Discuss about his personal life or don't, but if you ARE going to, you must treat his monstrous behavior seriously and not just blithely dismiss cruel and criminal behavior as "hey, it's just how he was." Which is why-as I said in the original comment-in the context of a video such as this, it simply shouldn't be introduced at all, and the focus should be kept 100% on his brilliant playing.
Not a drummer, but I'm learning a ton from this.
Thank you for listening!
If you haven’t already, you should definitely do one of these on Keith moon. 🔥
I’ve heard Carmine say Bonzo wasn’t really that hard of a hitter.
Carmine says lots of shit that's not true...
He usually doesn't play that hard. Watch the films. But hitting hard makes a worse sound, so avoid it.
Cannons!🇬🇧✌🏻😂
You should make a podcast on Ian Paice as well :D
Great idea - writing that down
Great episode, how about one on Lee Kerslake, and Pierluigi Calderoni
Great unique suggestions
I consider modern Jam music to be a modern form of jazz fusion... Bonham would have enjoyed this scene. He would be blown away by Jon Fishman who was a major student of his.
Great interview...Who else went and played their Ludwigs after this episode.
Rock on
Great interview you wonder why any of the remaining zep members nevered explain bonzos work in the studio re who came up with this part ect
Thank you!
Jimmy Page went to Bonham with the riff for Kashmir.
Bonham’s philosophy was less is more but when it comes to soloing he had different approach.
Soloing was like he was trying to say:
“hold my bear I will show you what’s drumming and soloing”
he took quite a bit from ginger baker. IE 1964, graham bond- camels and elephants, Ginger Baker on drums. Then listen to moby dick.
@@kapalin846 or Morello from Dave Brubeck
@@jeper1969 ya, he listened to morello on record. but bonham wasn’t seeing brubeck live, he was seeing ginger baker play with graham bond and other jazz groups. so was Mitch Mitchell. it’s common history. did you even listen to camels and elephants?
@@kapalin846 we are all fans of Ginger but Bonham was better
@@MM-lp5pp I don’t believe so, no. We can have our favorites but Bonham really just played drums in Led Zeppelin. Ginger Baker played with Cream, Fela, bill frisell, Charlie Haden, Ron miles, jonas hellborg, and so on. Fairly objectively, Ginger was a much more diverse drummer with greater technical abilities, while having an ear for harmony and composition. Not knocking John at all, it’s just a fact. His legendary status is rightful but too bad we never got to hear him play anything but zeppelin.
At around 38 minutes George talks about what sort of impact Zep had in the US initially and subsequently. As they were on their second US tour they played the Newport Jazz Festival. Here's the audio... ua-cam.com/video/f9CAVGm6ei0a/v-deo.htmlnd and oh my is it a statement. The audio isn't so great but you can hear the raw intensity and yet the refined, loose and open approach they applied in the live context. The crowd initially was polite and in the end, ecstatic. Amazing.
Thanks for sharing link - super cool
Joe Morello...
Need to contact JPJ and ask him what equipment bonzo used in studio
Unfortunately I can't remember the publication but I did read that he used a Ludwig maple kit in studio. The same green sparkle kit previously mentioned in other comments.
How about a bonham movie??
Id watch that movie!
I was surprised ya'll didn't touch on his childhood friendship Bonzo had with Bill Ward. No doubt they influence each other.
Thats interesting
There's was once a time of Bonham jamming with Sabbath at a rehearsal playing Supernaught. Black Zeppelin lol. He was also friends with Ritchie Blackmore and suggested Ritchie get Cozy Powell for Rainbow. Ritchie didn't like it that Elf's drummer wasn't a driving power house drummer and wanted an upgrade it seems.
People will still be talking about John Bonham 300 years from now, if the earth still has life they will be talking about Bonzo.
I L O V E D loved Cream and Blind Faith but ERIC, how can you say that BONHAM wasn't musical ? Ginger, how could you SAY that Bonham couldn't 'swing' ? KEEF, I've been a HUGE fan of yours since I was TEN after hearing your 1st album ('She Said Yeah' just blew me away) but you 'Don't GET THEM' ??? .... WTF ???? Since hearing 'Good Times Bad Times' for the first time in '69, I STILL, to this day, get a HUGE KICK out of listening to Bonhams foot work on this song. I still grin and sometimes laugh out loud when I hear your triplets in this jam, the 'attitude' and down right 'Take THAT, mfr's !!" just jumps from the speakers and grabs you by your 'nads !! And at only 19 years of age ?
I think the words 'authority' and 'command' are the words I was looking for. Watch Carmie beat his kit like a rented mule in the Fudges 'You Keep Me Hangin On' / Ed Sullivan Show, its the same attitude and if you're a rock drummer especially, its just a BLAST to watch !!
*Ginger (RIP), 'in 'How Many More Times' he doesn't SWING ?
subscribed...great channel 👍🙂
Thank you!
Love how y'all keep it about the drums and the talent Bonham had and not the extras loved the show RIP John Bonham you set a standard few well achieve
Thank you Scott! I've one in the works with both Terry (Bonzoleum) and George about Bonzo's gear that will be a lot of fun
He did have two Bass Drums but Jimmy and Robert said he was too busy with two.
...and too darn loud :D
First time they got together was in the small basement room
Plant says that Zeppelin was invited to meet Elvis in '74, if they didn't tour what were they doing in America that year?
The Swan Song launch party in Los Angeles on May 11, 1974.
He used the 602's than 2002's.
look up joe morela? castilian drums.... 1964 ish
Joe Morello
Are you Greek ? Great podcast guys Thanks!
Yes, I am half Greek
I always heard Bonham was very influenced by the drumming skills of Karen Carpenter !!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
It’s strange to hear the intro talk about the guy who is an authority on Bonham and yet does not know a few critical things about bonham he didn’t even say anything to it,
He does though seem to know other important cool things.