John Bonham: A Thunder of Drums
by Jeff Nicholls, Chris Welch, Geoff Nicholls
List Price:
Our Price: $12.73
You Save: $7.26 (36%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $6.98 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Chris Welch, Geoff Nicholls, Jeff NichollsEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2001-10-10
ISBN: 0879306580
Number of pages: 192
Publisher: Backbeat Books
Book Reviews of John Bonham: A Thunder of Drums
Book Review: A definite must-buy for Bonham fans and hard-rock drummers
Summary: 5 Stars
For the most part, when it comes to rock drumming, this is the guy right here. So, any drummer or rock fan who wants to understand the roots of metal and hard rock, this is one book to read. Sure, the guitarists get all the glory and credit, but Bonham did as much for the sound of rock in the late '60s and '70s as any guitarist.
One reviewer wrote that Bonham may not be the most versatile drummer ... while he may not be, he certainly is versatile. Whether employing the Purdy Shuffle in "Fool in the Rain" or insane bass triplets in "Good Times, Bad Times" or any number of patterns from jazz, swing, blues, march, or reggae drumming, Bonham is plenty versatile. And the final section of the book helps to show his range through an analysis of his work on most Zeppelin tracks. It is too bad that the analysis didn't include a transcription of at least his signature patterns, but those can usually be found somewhere online. (And it may have been too much trouble for the author/publisher to get the rights to print those transcriptions.) The section on his drums and tuning certainly helps make up for this omission, however.
Lastly, while his pre-Zep were interesting, I have to agree with others that too many pages were devoted to it while denying more detail on his Zep days. However, despite the minor flaws I've mentioned, I was thoroughly happy to have discovered this book -- and even happier to have read it. Great photos, too.
Summary of John Bonham: A Thunder of Drums
John Henry "Bonzo" Bonham was the godfather of hard rock drumming - and he remains an idol to legions of Led Zeppelin and heavy metal fans worldwide. Although Bonham had to be courted away from more lucrative offers, he joined the newly formed band in 1968, helping guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant create such famous songs as "Stairway to Heaven" and "Kashmir" until his sudden death in 1980 at the age of 32. His unmistakable drum patterns are among the most emulated and sampled by todayÃ?s rock drummers. This book is the first biography focusing on Bonham, providing a detailed track-by-track analysis of his greatest recordings, 45 color photos, and the most detailed and accurate inventory ever of BonhamÃ?s drum kits and percussion equipment.History & Criticism Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in History & Criticism Books
KISS and Make-upby Gene Simmons
Crown; Published: 2001-12; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $19.96
Price in other shops:
Elvis Presley: A Life in Music : The Complete Recording Sessionsby Ernst Jorgensen
St Martins Pr; Published: 1998-07; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $199.48
The Devil's Horn: The Story of the Saxophone, from Noisy Novelty to King of Coolby Michael Segell
Picador; Published: 2006-08-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.81
Price in other shops:
Elvis: My Best Man: Radio Days, Rock 'n' Roll Nights, and My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presleyby George Klein, Chuck Crisafulli
Three Rivers Press; Published: 2011-01-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.49
Price in other shops:
Bill Evans: How My Heart Singsby Mr. Peter Pettinger
Yale University Press; Published: 1998-08-11; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $76.25
Microsoundby Curtis Roads
The MIT Press; Published: 2004-08-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $24.00
Price in other shops:
Hip Hop Americaby Nelson George
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2005-04-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.52
Price in other shops:
A Love Supreme: The Story of John Coltrane's Signature Albumby Ashley Kahn
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2003-10-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.74
Price in other shops:
Jazz Styles: History and Analysis (10th Edition)by Mark C. Gridley
Prentice Hall; Published: 2008-01-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $45.99
Price in other shops:
Dark Star: An Oral Biography of Jerry Garciaby Robert Greenfield
It Books; Published: 2009-02-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.47
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
![Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Led-Zeppelin-The-Song-Remains-the-Same-Blu-ray-B0012YYZYK-X.jpg)
Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same [Blu-ray]Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-02-26; Blu-ray
Best price: $8.99
Price in other shops:
4-Way Coordination: A Method Book for the Development of Complete Independence on the Drum SetAlfred; Warner Bros Pubns; Published: 1999-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.01
Price in other shops:
Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Sagaby Stephen Davis
It Books; Published: 2008-04-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.48
Price in other shops:
Classic Rock Drummers - The Way They Play Series Book/ CD (Way They Play, The)by Ken Micallef
Backbeat Books; Published: 2007-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.60
Price in other shops:
Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legendby Tony Fletcher
It Books; Published: 2000-09-19; Paperback; Book
Best price: $13.05
Price in other shops:
John Bonham: The Powerhouse Behind Led Zeppelinby Mick Bonham
Southbank Publishing; Published: 2005-10-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $999.99
The Drummer: 100 Yeas of Rhythmic Power and Inventionby Editors of Modern Drummer Magazine
Modern Drummer Publications; Published: 2010-09-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.40
Price in other shops:
Led Zeppelin: Mothership (Drum Transcriptions)by Staff, Alfred Publishing
Alfred Publishing; Published: 2009-01-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $18.82
Price in other shops:
Ultimate Drum Play-Along Led Zeppelin, Vol 1: Authentic Drum (Book & 2 CDs) (Ultimate Play-Along)by Led Zeppelin
Alfred Publishing; Published: 2010-11-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.00
Price in other shops:
Drum Techniques of Led Zeppelinby Led Zeppelin, Bergamini, Joe
Alfred; Alfred Publishing; Published: 1989-10-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.07
Price in other shops: