As a long-time Led Zeppelin admirer, I’ve always been captivated by their powerful music. Like many, I can listen to “Stairway to Heaven” countless times and still be moved. Recently, while listening to “Over the Hills and Far Away,” something shifted in my perception. During the song’s bridge, amidst the familiar energy, John Paul Jones’ bass line truly stood out. It was a revelation, a fresh appreciation for a musician I’d heard hundreds of times before, yet somehow hadn’t fully heard. This moment sparked a deeper reflection on John Paul Jones Musician – a vital force within one of rock’s giants, deserving of more dedicated recognition.
While Led Zeppelin achieved global fame and its members are widely celebrated, John Paul Jones often seemed to occupy a less overtly flamboyant space. Consider the concert film The Song Remains the Same. Amidst the spectacle of Robert Plant’s charismatic frontman persona, Jimmy Page’s guitar wizardry, and John Bonham’s thunderous drumming, Jones is positioned almost subtly, surrounded by his array of instruments – keyboards, bass guitars, and more. With his understated Prince Valiant haircut, he anchored the band’s raw, untamed energy, providing a solid, inventive foundation.
Like Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones musician honed his craft as a highly sought-after studio musician before Zeppelin’s formation. His impressive resume included collaborations with a diverse range of artists, from Dusty Springfield and Lulu to Herman’s Hermits, Shirley Bassey, and Rod Stewart. His arranging talents are evident in iconic tracks like The Rolling Stones’ “She’s A Rainbow,” as well as Donovan’s “Sunshine Superman” and “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” The relentless pace of studio work, often involving multiple sessions daily, eventually led him to seek a more focused creative outlet. A chance re-encounter with Page in the studio led Jones to offer his services, sensing an exciting opportunity in the new band Page was assembling.
With Led Zeppelin, John Paul Jones musician unleashed his vast musicality. His mastery of over 22 instruments became integral to the band’s signature sound. It was Jones who introduced the recorder’s medieval flavor to the introduction of “Stairway to Heaven,” a detail that immediately sets the song apart. He penned “Black Dog,” initially conceived at a tempo so demanding it was, in his own words, “impossible to keep up with.” His musical fingerprints are all over Zeppelin’s diverse catalog, from the clavinet funk of “Trampled Under Foot” and the ethereal mellotron in “The Rain Song,” to the jazzy nuances of “What Is and What Should Never Be.” Underpinning it all were his exceptional bass skills, rooted in a deep appreciation for the groove-centric sounds of Motown and Stax Records.
For someone hailing from a middle-class English background, John Paul Jones musician, alongside drummer John Bonham, possessed an innate ability to swing and groove with the best rhythm sections in music history.
Like his bandmates, Jones undoubtedly experienced the rock star lifestyle that came with being part of a global phenomenon. However, he navigated fame with a lower profile than the others, adeptly keeping any personal rock and roll excesses away from public scrutiny.
Led Zeppelin’s final studio album, 1979’s In Through the Out Door, is considered by Jimmy Page to showcase John Paul Jones musician at his peak within the band. During those sessions, Robert Plant was grappling with the profound loss of his young son, Page was battling addiction, and Bonham struggled with alcoholism. It was Jones who emerged as a dominant creative force during this turbulent period.
The keyboard-heavy direction of In Through the Out Door divided critics. Some hailed it as a forward-thinking embrace of the burgeoning punk and New Wave scenes, while others were less enthusiastic. Regardless, the album marked a turning point, and tragically, John Bonham’s death in 1980 led to Led Zeppelin’s dissolution shortly after.
Having considered leaving Zeppelin due to exhaustion as early as 1973, John Paul Jones musician embraced the opportunity for a more balanced life with his family and a wider exploration of his musical passions. His post-Zeppelin career has been remarkably diverse, collaborating with artists spanning genres, from Lenny Kravitz, Heart, and R.E.M., to Ben E. King, Foo Fighters, and Peter Gabriel. He contributed to the soundtrack of Paul McCartney’s film, Give My Regards to Broad Street, formed the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures with Dave Grohl and Josh Homme, and ventured into avant-garde music, performing in Finland and at the Royal Opera House in London for a theatrical production.
While Led Zeppelin’s eight studio albums remain cornerstones of rock history, John Paul Jones musician is demonstrably more than just his iconic band. A true musician’s musician, he has consistently defied resting on past achievements, continuously seeking fresh creative avenues. For this relentless musical curiosity and enduring talent, a heartfelt “Thank You” seems entirely appropriate.
-Cindy Grogan
Photo: John Paul Jones performing live in 2010 (Lara Clifford, Wikimedia Commons)
