From Planet Rock.
A statue of late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham has been unveiled in his home town to mark what would have been his 70th birthday today (31st May).
Created by sculptor Mark Richards and situated at Mercian Square in Redditch town centre, the vast bronze sculpture weighs around 2.5 tonnes and is covered in anti-graffiti paint.
It depicts Bonzo in live action behind the drum kit and features his ‘Led Zeppelin IV’ symbol of three interlocking rings along with the date of his birth and death.
The stones surrounding the sculpture are a nod to the iconic ‘Houses of the Holy’ artwork and the piece also features zeppelin airships from which, of course, Led Zeppelin took their name.
Elsewhere, the sculpture is emblazoned with the words: ‘The most outstanding and original drummer of his time, John Bonham’s popularity and influence continue to resonate with the world of music and beyond.”
Mark Richards took to Twitter earlier this morning to confirm that the statue has been installed overnight, writing: “Delighted that my memorial sculpture to John Bonham was installed over night in Redditch town centre. Thanks to all who helped make this happen.”
Mark Richards@markxrichardsDelighted that my memorial sculpture to John Bonham was installed over night in Redditch town centre. Thanks to all who helped make this happen. #johnbonham #johnbonhammemorial #johnbonhambirthday #redditch
Redditch Borough Council gave the green light for the statue to be built at a planning meeting back in October.
Supported by the Bonham family as well as Warner Music Group, John’s sister Deborah attended the meeting where she told councillors that necessary funds had been raised for the memorial and any money left over will fund Teenage Cancer Trust nurses in Redditch.
Deborah told the BBC afterwards: “Just to say how absolutely thrilled I am that this is happening and we got planning permission. I’m absolutely thrilled, we’re going to have a John Bonham memorial. Brilliant.”
Last September, unofficial fan site Led Zeppelin News published a letter written by Tim Fraser-Harding, who is President, Global Catalogue, Recorded Music at Warner Music Group, to Redditch Borough Council urging them to give their backing to the memorial.
As well as confirming plans to unveil the statue in Redditch, Fraser-Harding noted that it was just one of “a series of high-profile events” planned for 2018 to mark the 50th anniversary of Led Zeppelin.
Already this year, Led Zeppelin have released unheard versions of ‘Rock and Roll’ and ‘Friends’ on 7” vinyl for Record Store Day and in March they released a remastered edition of their 2003 live album ‘How The West Was Won’.
The band’s first ever official illustrated book, the aptly titled Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin, will be published by Reel Art Press on 2nd October 2018 – 50 years to the month since the band changed their name from The New Yardbirds to Led Zeppelin.
Speaking exclusively in issue six of Planet Rock Magazine, Jimmy Page said there will be a brand new Led Zeppelin live album released at some point this year and he foresees that there will be ‘new’ Led Zeppelin product emerging over the next decade.
“I can’t give the game away, but there’s a recording that’s another multi-track that we’ll release,” Jimmy said. “It’s so different to all the other things that are out there. It’s another view compared to How The West Was Won or The Song Remains The Same.
“I’m looking forward to people hearing that. There’s a lot of stuff to come out, a number of releases. I’d like to say that they’ll be coming out over the next 10 years. There’s more to come for sure.”
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A new statue has appeared overnight in Redditch.
It’s paying tribute to the Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, was was born in the town and would have been 70 today:
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BBC H and W
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Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page wins deferment in planning battle with Robbie Williams
Jimmy Page’s ongoing planning battle with neighbour Robbie Williams is set to rumble on after their council failed to reach a decision over Williams’ proposed plans.
The former Led Zeppelin guitarist and the pop singer have been locked in a feud since Williams bought the late Michael Winner’s Kensington home for £17.5million in December 2014.
Williams has been trying to make an extensive series of changes to his lavish property, including a basement with a swimming pool and gym, but Page has opposed the plans claiming they will cause “catastrophic” damage his neighbouring Grade I-listed gothic mansion, Tower House.
The former Take That singer submitted proposals to the council in January to excavate a basement under his home and in response Page submitted a two-page letter objecting to them.
He wrote: “Having protected the Tower House for over 40 years, I am now continuing the fight against a new threat to this precious and unique building.”
Page attended a Kensington and Chelsea Council’s planning committee yesterday (29th May) where he told councillors in attendance: “I’m here to plead that you take all necessary measures to protect the Tower House from the threat of harm it faces.”
Tower House © REX/Shutterstock
Williams’ representatives have argued that all building work would adhere to all stringent building regulations and that any effects on surrounding properties would be “negligible”.
Eventually, the council’s planning committee deferred the decision, which Page, who has lived at his property since 1972, said was “a very good conclusion.”
He said: “I’m really pleased at the outcome in so much that the council showed so much consideration to Tower House.”
“There were many things that were said that I found really encouraging. I have been the custodian of the house and on my watch, I feel that I have got to do everything with all these sorts of haphazard things … that really it’s my duty while it’s my watch.
“I’m only the custodian, to pass it on to the next person in the same way I bought it from Richard Harris.”
The rock legend also revealed he only plays acoustic guitars at his home to minimise vibrations.
Back in November 2016, Williams insulted Page during a Facebook Live broadcast and six months later issued an apology.
He wrote: “I would like to offer my sincere apologies to Jimmy Page, my neighbour, for my comments made before Christmas about him in relation to my recent building works, in which I likened alleged behaviour on his part to suffering from a mental illness.
“Jimmy Page has explained to me that certain specific factual assertions which I made were in fact not true and I am happy to accept what Jimmy Page says. I understand why Jimmy Page will have found my comments offensive and I apologise for any hurt that they have caused him and his family as a result.”
Be sure to check out the rest of our Led Zeppelin titles on eil.com, and if you have any items to sell, please call us on 01474 815099
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I have to say it this way. That is one, fucking hell of a statue! Quite the memorial to/for/of John…