The landscape of rock music today would be vastly different if Led Zeppelin hadn’t arrived at the tail end of the 1960s. Their emergence revitalized the British rock scene and set the stage for the future of hard rock and metal music.
While Led Zeppelin’s legendary discography is often associated with guitarist and songwriter Jimmy Page, the praise directed toward the band is frequently centered on his contributions. However, the band’s success was due to more than just Page’s work. Every member of the group brought something revolutionary to the table, contributing to the band’s groundbreaking sound.
It’s understandable that Page often receives the lion’s share of praise. After all, he was the one who formed Led Zeppelin after his tenure with The Yardbirds. Moreover, Page’s iconic guitar riffs and distinctive playing style became the backbone of the band’s most legendary songs. However, Page’s ascension to rock royalty wouldn’t have been possible without the contributions of his talented bandmates, especially drummer John Bonham.
Though drummers typically don’t receive the same level of attention as lead guitarists or vocalists, a great band cannot exist without a great drummer. Fortunately for Led Zeppelin, Bonham was one of the finest drummers of his generation. A fan of old-school jazz and blues drumming, Bonham drew inspiration from greats like Buddy Rich, Joe Morello, and Gene Krupa. But what set him apart was his ability to blend these influences with the raw power and aggression of hard rock, creating a unique drumming style that would influence countless drummers in the years to come.
If you listen to any modern rock or metal drummer, there’s a good chance you’ll hear traces of Bonham’s style, such was the groundbreaking nature of his playing. It’s no surprise, then, that Bonham’s drumming is a standout feature on many of Led Zeppelin’s most iconic tracks. While Page’s guitar riffs often take center stage, Bonham’s work on songs like “Good Times Bad Times” is a major reason why he became such an iconic figure in rock.
As the opening track on their 1969 debut album, Good Times Bad Times introduced Led Zeppelin to the world with a bang. Packed with Page’s explosive riffs and Robert Plant’s unique vocals, the song stood in stark contrast to the hippie counterculture rock that had dominated the scene up until then. It was abrasive, raw, and revolutionary—a breath of fresh air.
For Jimmy Page, though, the highlight of Good Times Bad Times was Bonham’s remarkable drumming. In an interview with Guitar World, Page said, “The most stunning thing about the track, of course, is Bonzo’s amazing kick drum. It’s superhuman when you realize he was not playing with a double kick. That’s one kick drum! That’s when people started understanding what he was all about.”
As Page explains, a less skilled drummer might have used a double kick drum pedal to achieve the pounding rhythm in Good Times Bad Times, but Bonham opted to work with just a single kick drum. This innovative approach to drumming, coupled with the “superhuman” endurance required to play with such intensity, are key reasons why Bonham remains a model for rock and metal drummers worldwide.
Before Led Zeppelin’s debut, no one had heard a drummer play like Bonham, and few have managed to replicate his energy and innovation since. While it could be argued that Bonham had many other standout moments with the band that surpassed Good Times Bad Times, the song was pivotal both in shaping Led Zeppelin’s sound and in establishing Bonham as one of rock’s most distinctive drummers.a
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