This Day in History: One of the greatest and most influential rock drummers in history, John Bonham, died on this day in 1980. On September 24, Bonham stopped for breakfast, where he drank quadruple vodka screwdrivers (16 shots between 400 and 560 ml, also equivalent to 9–13 American standard drinks). He then continued to drink heavily after arriving at rehearsals. The inquest on 27 October 1980 showed that in 24 hours, Bonham had consumed around 40 shots (1–1.4 litres) of 40% ABV vodka, after which he vomited and choked (a condition known as pulmonary aspiration). The finding was accidental death.
Often labelled as Death by Misadventure, he joins a long list of artists who died in such a way. Jimi Hendrix died after consuming red wine with amphetamines. AC/DC frontman Bon Scott choked on his vomit after a heavy drinking binge. The Who drummer Keith Moon "was prescribed a sedative to alleviate his alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and according to reports, he mixed the drug with his drinks. Clomethiazole, the drug he was prescribed, can be deadly when mixed with alcohol, which is why it is normally only given in a clinical setting. Unfortunately, the singer took thirty-two pills in a rage, twenty-six of which didn’t even dissolve. Six pills, combined with alcohol, were enough to kill him." Source
Rory Gallagher died after a liver transplant which he was performed due to a long history of drinking while using prescription medication.
Others who died of alcoholism (or something alcohol related) are Billie Holiday, Brian Connolly (Sweet), Clyde McPhatter (the Drifters), Hank Williams, Jim Morrison (The Doors), Keith Whitley, Michael Clarke (The Byrds), Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (Grateful Dead), Townes Van Zandt, Elvis, Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy), Steve Clarke (Def Leppard) and many more.
RollingStone magazine has listed John Bonham the greatest drummer of all time, ahead of Keith Moon, Ginger Baker, Neil Peart, Hal Blaine, Clyde Stubblefield, Gene Krupa, Mitch Mitchell, and Al Jackson Jr., ...ALL OF WHOM ARE NOW DEAD!
John Bonham's son, Jason Bonham is a fine drummer in his own right, and has recorded or toured with Sammy Hagar and The Circle, Black Country Communion, UFO, Foreigner, and Bonham. On 10 December 2007, Jason played with Led Zeppelin on the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert, as well as their reunion at the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary show on 15 May 1988.
No comments:
Post a Comment