by Mick Bonham
Ticket demand for the Knebworth Festival had been so great that the 150,000 tickets had sold out, so a second performance would be scheduled for the following week.
On my way to John’s house on the morning of Saturday 4 August, I called in at a newsagent to pick up the music papers, to see if there was anything about Zep, just as I had done virtually every week since 1968. There was a great piece titled ‘The Sun Shines Again’ in Record Mirror by Robin Smith and when I showed it to John it made his day. At lunchtime Mathew and I jumped into my ‘Chevy (not a real one mind you, a Vauxhall Chevette) and headed down to Knebworth. John, Pat and Jason were to follow us down but when John went past us at warp speed we decided we’d catch up with him later. By the time we found the hotel in Stevenage, John said we might as well go directly to the site. As we drove down the dirt road to the stage area we were staggered by the size of the crowd. The Zeppelin Army had arrived in force and was gathered in front of the stage waiting for the main event. Flags and banners from all over were held aloft – it was a fantastic scenario.
Once we were settled in the large caravan provided for the band we made plans for the afternoon. John had told Debbie that she couldn’t come to the concert because she was too young, but they would do plenty of indoor shows later that year and she could come to those. Not one to be fobbed off, she decided she was not about to miss this one, so with iron-will determination, and much to the alarm of our Mum, Debbie bought a ticket and travelled down with friends Neville Farmer and Eddie Murphy (no not that one) and was somewhere out in the crowd. She told me years later that she would never have gone against his wishes but for the fact she had some strange feeling that if she didn’t see him then, she never would again.
After seeing the number of people out there, and knowing his kid sister was out there, John got worried. He suggested that we ought to go up on stage and look for her. Even with the binoculars I had with me I knew it was going to be tricky, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. John and I took turns with the glasses until he had to go to get ready, but he told me to keep looking.
While we were on stage John found me what he thought looked like a great place to position myself with the camera when the band took to the stage, and having given up the search for Debbie we made our way back to the caravan to spend what time was left to sit in the sun and catch up with everyone as they arrived. The crowd was being warmed up by bands like Fairport Convention, featuring John’s old Way of Life mate Dave Pegg, closely followed by Chas and Dave. I also managed to get back on stage in time to see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Dukes play a superb set.
Above
Robert Plant at Knebworth
At around 8.00pm I took my position and got the camera ready. After a lengthy wait Led Zeppelin appeared on stage to a tumultuous roar. All four band members looked slightly hesitant as they took their positions. As I focused my camera on John’s kit I couldn’t help thinking why there were loads of people around the stage but no one near me. The answer came as the boys launched into ‘The Song Remains the Same’; John had stuck me in front of a very powerful lighting rig and within minutes my jacket was steaming. I was the only photographer sat in their own microwave, and what made things worse was that there was nowhere else to go, so it was grin and bear it time. With a PA system of 60,000 watts and a lighting rig of 100,000 watts, most of it shining through me, the show was pretty spectacular. Looking back I can now understand why John kept giving me funny looks. I must have looked like an X-ray. Some three hours later after several encores, and being cooked on both sides, I left the stage drenched, along with four very happy musicians.
While everyone sat around cooling off it was reported that there was a commotion outside with a young girl. Apparently one of the security guards had thrown her against the fence after she had repeatedly pestered him to let her into the compound, claiming she was Bonzo’s sister. Richard Cole immediately went to fetch her, giving the security guard a right bollocking. John also made his way to her. As she walked in, she saw John and ran to him. He in turn picked her up in the air and hugged her. He then bollocked her for coming down on her own and causing us all so much worry. Still, we were all more than pleased to see her.
After the show, Led Zeppelin and co had been invited to a celebration party at the big house at Knebworth. In a long elegant dining room a banqueting table had been laid out fit for visiting royalty. In a rather splendid party atmosphere we ate and drank with the heirachy until, and I don’t know who did it but, the first bun was thrown. A marvellous end to a marvellous day.
As we travelled back to the hotel, along the A1, we beheld a sight that would soften even the hardest man. All along the road, for as far as the eye could see, were the Zep army returning home, victorious but knackered. Small fires lit the faces of thousands of countless fans as they prepared for the hitch home. Some had fallen asleep where they lay, some were in sleeping bags, others in tents. At seeing this remarkable sight, John proclaimed, “These are the people we owe it all to, and if I could I’d take them all back to the hotel,” after which he wound down the car window, stuck out his hands and applauded ‘The Ocean’.
Back at the hotel, being pretty out of it, I fell into bed and sank into a deep sleep, only to be woken at some ungodly hour by a heavy thumping on my door. On opening it, I discovered it was one of G’s minders looking like someone built from a blacksmith’s anvil. He instructed me that Mr Grant wanted to see me. Oh shit. Memories of school flooded back about being summoned to the headmasters’ study and thinking, “Oh no, not the cane”.
“Matt, Matt, wake up, G wants to see me!” I said in a tone somewhere between fear and terror. “Ooooh fuck,” he replied and went straight back to sleep. As I made my way to Peter’s room I noticed that it was 4.30am, so I figured this must be pretty serious.
“Ah, young Bonzo!” declared the band’s manager. “Is John going straight to the scramble with Pat and Jason in the morning?”
“You mean you got me out of bed at 4.30 in the morning just to ask me that!” Of course, I only said this to myself then politely answered, “Yes, I think so,” and scurried back to my room. By the time I arose from my pit the next day, everyone had indeed departed, and I drove home happy in the knowledge this would all happen again next week, and it would be Jacko’s turn to accompany John. I just hoped he’d enjoy the band from a cooler vantage point than I would.
Above
John’s last UK performance with Led Zeppelin, August 1979
Many music critics would slag off the Knebworth gigs but they were outnumbered by the fans that had voted with their feet. When a crowd of 150,000 are screaming for more, who are you going to listen to? It would be these fans that put ‘In Through the Out Door’ at the top of the album charts around the world, with a record seven weeks at Number One in America. Coupled with the fact that Led Zeppelin again scored seven Number Ones in the Melody Maker poll, the comeback had succeeded with a scoreline of: Fans 1, Critics Nil.
Above
Pete Townsend and Paul McCartney at the Concert for Kampuchea
Above
John Paul Jones
No matter what the critics said, I had thoroughly enjoyed it and it would remain clear in my mind for the rest of my life because, although not knowing it at the time, it would be the last time I would see John playing with Led Zeppelin.
The rest of the year saw John spending a lot of time in London at meetings with the band, discussing future plans including a possible tour next year, and along with Robert and John Paul Jones, collecting their Melody Maker Awards. John’s love of fast cars was rekindled whilst on a trip to Adrian Hamiltons to get the Range Rover serviced and bring back the Roller. There was a beautiful Ferrari Dino in the showroom, so we brought that back as well.
During October, nerves were beginning to show as another christening loomed on the horizon. This time there were strict instructions of “go out this time you can lock the door behind you”. James’ christening was held in t
he best possible taste. The service was held at the same church as before, but this time, at the party afterwards, the food stayed on the plates and we stayed in the house.
On 12 December we called in at the Birmingham Odeon to see Wings. After the show we met up with them backstage, where I felt well and truly out of my depth. I had grown up with the Beatles and was a great admirer of Paul’s work. After John introduced me to the members of Wings I shrank back into the corner. Feeling a bit like a dustman at a Royal Garden Party, Linda McCartney came over and asked if I was all right and then went and fetched me a drink and some food. Whether Linda had sensed how I was feeling or not, she made me feel so relaxed and we spent a long time talking about photography, the band and life in general. I came away from that gig totally blown away, because you couldn’t help loving Linda McCartney, a lovely lady I would always remember. Two weeks later we would meet up again at the Rock for Kampuchea concert in London, and again Linda came over to make sure I was okay. Treasured memories.
Above
Billy Connolly
Above
Paul McCartney
John was already in London at rehearsals with the Rockestra, so I picked up Pat and Mathew and drove down to Blakes Hotel to meet up with him before the show. The gig was at the Hammersmith Odeon and would feature Elvis Costello, The Clash, Rockpile, Wings and culminate with The Rockestra. As usual it was my job to take some photos of the event, which gave me an ideal vantage point to watch the show. The MC for the night was Billy Connolly who, while waiting for all the members of The Rockestra to congregate on stage, decides to do an impromptu strip. Luckily for us all, the call went out that the band was ready before Billy had gone the whole hog.
The curtain went up to reveal a myriad of superstars. There were all of Wings, Pete Townsend and Kenney Jones from The Who, Dave Edmunds of Rockpile, James Honeyman Scott from The Pretenders and Plant, Jones and Bonham from Led Zeppelin. My problem as photographer was that John was so high up at the back of the stage I could just make out his top hat bobbing up and down. Still, it didn’t detract from the great playing as the band ripped through ‘the Rockestra Theme’, followed by The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ and climaxed with Little Richard’s ‘Lucille’. After the show we returned to Blakes, along with Jonesy, who was also staying there, and upon finding a small bar with a piano, we finished off the evening singing some old classics with great backing by John Paul Jones.
Chapter 26
A NEW DECADE AND THE END OF AN ERA
With the success of Knebworth and the ‘In Through the Out Door’ album it was inevitable that Led Zeppelin would go back out and tour. So it came as no surprise when John returned from a meeting in London and excitedly announced the band would be touring throughout Europe during the summer.
Rehearsals started in April at The Rainbow in Finsbury Park, London, and as an added boost, Cream magazine announced Zep had topped no less than 15 categories in their reader’s poll. All was well with the band. After rehearsing for a week they switched venues to The New Victoria Theatre, to keep the press in the dark about their plans. During a break in rehearsals Robert came to see me at the farm and said that I was to do some photos of the band rehearsing and then go on tour with them. It seemed like a dream come true for me, but alas, it was the last I ever heard about the idea, so on 17 June Led Zeppelin embarked on their first European tour since the early 70s, but I did not. This tour would see a reinvigorated Zeppelin play a string of 14 dates in Germany, Belgium and Switzerland, but once more misfortune struck, when after three dates at Nuremberg, John collapsed during the show, which had to be cancelled. Though not 100 per cent fit, John completed the tour, which would see the last ever Led Zeppelin gig at the Eisspothalle in Berlin on 7 July, 1980.
Arriving back home on the 9th, John seemed in good spirits, and gave Jacko some good news that would make him a very happy man. On 31July he was to make his home at the cottage at Old Hyde. Nothing else John could have done would have meant more to his father. In need of a family holiday, I took John, Pat, Jason and Zoe to Birmingham Airport to catch a private plane down to the South of France for a month’s holiday throughout August. I then returned home and took my family for a holiday to the Isle of Wight.
Everything seemed well with the world. John was on holiday with his family. I was on holiday with my family. And Jacko was happily decorating his new home, with paint that we had supplied this time.
On 9 September we all met up again at Wood Farm, refreshed and ready to go. The holiday, it seemed, had been just what the doctor ordered for John, who was in buoyant mood and looking forward to the next tour of the States. After getting things underway at Wood Farm, John and I went up to the cottage to help Jacko finish decorating his home.
On a beautiful sunny morning, John arrived on site early and in a very cheerful mood and thought it would be a good idea to get all the cars washed and polished. It was Wednesday, 24 September and he was eager to get them out of the way before setting off for Jimmy’s house in Windsor to start rehearsals. At lunchtime John’s personal assistant Rex King arrived at the farm to take him down to London. As they disappeared down the long driveway I waved ‘Our Kid’ goodbye.
Chapter 27
WHAT IS AND WHAT SHOULD NEVER BE
“Love is like, my old piano.” Diana Ross was singing her latest hit on Top of the Pops when the telephone rang. On lifting the receiver, the only words I heard were, “Come over to the farm straight away.” My father was speaking them and he could barely get the words out for crying.
I’ll never forget that moment. It became frozen in time, like a scene from a film and is as clear today as it was back then. In all my years I had never heard or seen Dad cry and I knew it meant that something had happened to a very close member of the family.
The journey to Old Hyde normally took 20 minutes, but tonight seemed like an eternity as the question, “What’s happened?” continually raced through my mind. It didn’t take long to work out when I arrived, because security guards stood at either side of the gate and Robert Plant was waiting for me. He told me to leave my car and walk up the drive with him. As he did so, he gently broke the news to me that John had died some time during the previous night. I don’t know how to explain the impact his words had on me in that split second and how I felt afterwards. But as I sat with my family the only thing I knew was that the brother I loved so much, my life long hero, was gone.
My only respite from the nightmare came, as ever, from Lin, who held me tight for the rest of the night while I tried to make sense of it all.
After a family service at Rushock Church, the funeral procession made its way to Worcester Crematorium for the final service. That afternoon I said goodbye to Our Kid for the last time, and then returned to Chequers, along with family, friends and showbiz colleagues to toast his short but incredible life. As I sat there, allowing the events of the past few weeks to sink in, it wasn’t the best time for Benji Le Fevre to start winding me up. I put him on his arse and legged it out the door. After calming down, I re-entered the pub through a back door, and joined Mathew sitting at the bar. He just looked at me through tearful eyes and said, “John would be proud of you. He would have enjoyed that.”
What more is there to say? Only that we try to deal with the devastation of his death on a day-to-day basis. When Jacko died at the Farm in 1989, I realised during the service, held in the same church, that he had never gotten over it. As I looked at Mum, I knew she never would. I know I never will. I miss him and Dad so much.
It seemed like a lifetime had gone full circle as I sat and chatted with John Hill during the writing of this book, the chap who had started it all those years ago.
CHRONOLOGY
1966
Jimmy Page joins The Yardbirds, initially as bass player.
John Bonham joins Way of Life, his first band.
John Bonham (aged 17) marries Pat Phillips.
Robert Plant joins Listen, formerly known as The Tennessee Teens.
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nbsp; 1967
John Bonham plays with Robert Plant in The Crawling King Snakes.
Bonham takes over from John Trickett in The Band of Joy, with Robert Plant and Kevyn Gammond.
The Band of Joy record demo discs at Regent Sound Studios in London.
1968
8 February. The first London appearance of Band of Joy featuring Bonham and Plant at the Marquee Club in London, supporting Edwin Starr.
Band of Joy split up in the spring of 1968.
In 1968 Robert Plant records a track called ‘Operator’ with Alexis Korner and Steve Miller (on piano).
John Bonham tours in the UK with Tim Rose.
August. First rehearsals of Led Zeppelin.
October. ‘Led Zeppelin 1’ recorded at Olympic Studios in 30 hours.
15 October. The debut UK concert of Led Zeppelin at Surrey University.
October–December. Led Zeppelin on tour.
November. Led Zeppelin play at a Middle Earth presentation concert at the Roundhouse in London, with John Lee Hooker and The Deviants billed as ‘The Yardbirds now known as Led Zeppelin’.
10 December. Led Zeppelin play at London’s Marquee Club for a fee of £150.
20 December. Led Zeppelin perform at the Wood Green Fishmongers Hall, London.
26 December. Debut concert in USA supporting the MC5 and Vanilla Fudge at The Boston Tea Party.