For a casual Zeppelin fan, it can be far too easy to get stuck on a heavy rotation of albums I through IV with a little Physical Graffiti and Houses of the Holy thrown in for good measure. And it can be far too easy to overlook those last three albums. But as Jack Black exclaimed at the band’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, sitting our asses down for the Zeppathon (listening to all 9 studio albums straight through) is more than just required listening, it’s a pilgrimage. That’s what I set out to do, finally, which caused me to stumble upon the percussion gem, “Bonzo’s Montreux”. I suspect I’m not the only one who was excessively late to the party.
Could it be the drum solo of all drum solos? There are certainly more technically impressive solos out there—Rush’s Neil Peart has composed dozens that surpass the track we’re discussing when it comes to both technicality and complexity. But that’s not why we love Bonzo’s drumming. It’s always been about the unrelenting force. No one banged the drums louder and harder than him. In many ways, “Bonzo’s Montreux” is John Bonham’s final heartbeats. Recorded in all its thunderous glory for fans to remember him by and recall what we love most about his unmatched approach.
”Bonzo’s Montreux” gives us a fascinating glimpse of what was going on in John Bonham’s heart and mind beyond straight ahead hard rock and blues. Every roll, every hit, every fill flashes a more experimental side. Listening to it now, I wonder if this is the path he and Led Zeppelin would have headed down had he hung around longer on this planet.
Calvin Lai
Creative Director | Copywriter