LED ZEPPELIN - INTERVIEW (John Paul Jones)

Five years after their legendary gig at London´s O2 Arena, the biggest band on planet rock finally reveals what has been under wraps ever since: A double album/DVD with 16 songs and over two hours of Led Zep´s very best, performed at a one-off event that attracted more than 20 million fans from around the globe, and is, in fact, Jimmy Page´s, Robert Plant´s and John Paul Jone´s swan song, putting an end to all speculations about a possible reunion tour. In this exclusive interview JPJ, tell his side of the story - the days that led to the O2, the very evening, the attempts to start something new with a different singer, but also their current and future projects as well as the highlights of the 60s, 70s, and 80s

[@ertlk24]

As a guitarist, bass player and a part time drummer, JPJ has always been the core to LZ for me. Each musician is great of course, but JPJ was the glue. I never tire of listening to him play.

[@venicalfebgaming73]

Agree and also disagree. I mean, I am more of into drumming. I think JPJ did a lot of good work in zeppelin, but I feel like all members of the band held the band together in many different ways. But JPJ did a lot of work, and he always felt like he had a presence in a Zeppelin song, but so does all the members have a presence. I would say JPJ was the jack of all trades in Zeppelin, you could say the same thing about jimmy, but jimmy is kind of a jack of all trades of the guitar (in some sorts). JPJ played bass, keys, and way more different instruments.

[@philweeks8459]

Agreed! I've said it for years as well. Page and Plant were the showmen (great in their own right, don't misunderstand. After all, Led Zeppelin was Jimmy's band PERIOD) Bonham and Jones were the heart and soul of that band. As we know, JPJ was not only the bass player but a virtuoso of many other instruments AND arranger. The two big contributions that come to mind are, the orchestral pieces added to "Kashmire" and the simple recorder played to the opening of "Stairway." I remember reading that Bohnam scoffed when he first saw John take it out of his bag. "The wife tired of hearing the girls blowing that thing?" **On a side note** In the Jimi Hendrix song "Crosstown Traffic," Jimi and the other two are playing kazoos for the song's middle solo.

[@spurs3483]

JPJ is such a tremendous musician and such a humble dude.

[@jyo3406]

Dude is the best. Zep would never have been as successful without him.

[@rich6023]

The reality is each member of Zeppelin was a genius in their own right and the combination was incredible.

[@mrco887]

Correct!!,, Even Robert Plant no best singer but perfect fit for Led Zeppelin and no baddy can replace him in LZ,,,!!!

[@jacksz1317]

JPJ is such humble and funny man ⭐ He has great stories

[@williamking8033]

I appreciated how JPJ drove home the point how Zeppelin always focused on doing their music justice. They never gave a half-assed performance.

[@mrjamescurry]

Well…..they never wanted too, but the 75/77 tours were a bit strained.

[@Exspazament]

I was gonna say, I'm not a fan of "Live" Zeppelin. (Excluding early stuff.) Too much abuse of the substances from Robert and Jimmy made them sound sloppy as fuck.

[@vbassone]

“A bit strained” ?????? Really??? Those tours were absolutely TERRIBLE!

[@bobswan6196]

I agree. I saw them at Earls Court in '75 and they were amazing. I suspect those here who describe them as having been "strained" or "sloppy" are just talking about themselves.

[@evelyngill5134]

I’m glad you mentioned Roberts substantial use of drugs. People always focus on Jimmy. They were all abusing substances at times. I would challenge you to come up with one other band that never had substance problems at all.❤️

[@charleseggers6176]

Without a doubt, the greatest band ever. Each member was equally a un replaceable part. Thank you Led Zeppelin for the dedication to your music and sharing it with the world.

[@jamesheath7601]

Beatles were better

[@charleseggers6176]

@@jamesheath7601 To each their own. Each group had their sound.

[@BBaldwin]

The man….the myth….THE LEGEND!

[@piscesman54]

A real no-nonsense down-to-earth genius. And a real music lover. He was never interested in being a rock star and digging the glamour and all that. The glue that cemented Zeppelin together. His sobriety was the anchor of that band.

[@tektoniks_architects]

The utter brilliance that is JPJ.

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE QUIET HANDSOME ONES LORD KEEP THIS TALENTED MAN AND THE SURVIVING MEMBERS LED ZEPPELIN SAFE WE HAVE BEEN LOOSING TO MANY ICONS FROM MY GENERATION OF REAL MUSICIANS SINGERS AND INSTRUMENTALIST ✊🏾

[@jamesbond4633]

I like what he says about Bonzo. He sounded deceptively simple but all the little things he added gave it incredible feel. It was a lot more complex than people think. Also he was a bottom up player. Bonzo's high hat and bass drum were soooo good adding the snare and everything else on top.I get it. I think that is what really got Jimmy Page going too in his guitar playing. YOu can see him in any video feeding off of BOnzo.

[@Some_Cat_]

This blokes got it sussed! I could listen to JPJ all day.

[@ovidiulupu8484]

A fabulous musician,he and bonzo were the Best rhytm section în history of rock.thanks for all jonessy!

[@philweeks8459]

4 master musicians playing to their equals, while simultaneously peaking as one unit. So rare for ANY band. Could Jason fill the shoes as the next Led Zeppelin drummer, sure, BUT...he's NOT John Bohnam. John wrote and jammed to those songs with his own style of original music. With all due respect, Jason is probably the best imitator of his father's work, knowing it so well. Best band ever!!

[@shannonschaerer1010]

Yep - I can agree with all you said. 30ish yrs ago I saw the band "Bohnam" (Jason on drums) open for the Cult. I remember their set was kinda boring, & everyone was really just hoping that they'd play a Zep song. They did, but I cannot remember what song it was. I think they were hoping their name would be enough to make them successful, but no, it didn't (obviously). Him playing at Celebration Day was WAY better than I expected, & for that, I am thankful!! If His band was made up of people who could preform like Page, Plant, & of COURSE JPJ, it may have gone somewhere, but alas, it wasn't.

[@Lifelong_Lesson]

What a wonderful interview. What a wonderful gentleman and musician!! Great interviewer as well! JPJ really is the unsung hero. He is underappreciated, BUT.... But... ALL OF THEM have/had their place. Let's not focus on John and Jason for sake of this argument, though - because at this time, at least, we're not getting anyone better. With that said: Take away any one of them, and you won't have Zeppelin. They each fit the puzzle so perfectly. Jason as well in these uncertain times (I say "uncertain" for obvious reasons). Anyways, thank you so much for having JPJ on and asking the questions you asked. They were some good ones. :)

[@JU5TINPDX]

1:18 was hilarious, imagining Jimmy reacting to jonesy’s question… priceless

[@rodmac8358]

Hats off to this man!

[@danvitco771]

JPJ. Always an intelligent interview from a supremely intelligent @ versatile musician.

[@teresakoslosky3053]

I love listening to John Paul!! I learned allot! So interesting and rock and roll history!

[@davidgreene7676]

who would better know bonzo's talents....jpj would...thats who....you could hear the excitement in jpj's voice when talking about bonham

[@lissachallis999]

JPJ is the man!!!! What a pro...

[@rosemarymills1671]

Covid got me to Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and Velvet Underground. Weird! But glad

[@mackette54]

Gez..... this should have THOUSANDS of thumbs up 🤔

[@randolphnader790]

Thanks!

[@ceciliapreziose3783]

well we would have to know it exists, first, I found it on FB

[@michaeltw1000]

Wonderful sense of humor and musically bright

[@emanueltadeuborges1628]

Great musician and great human being! Light-years ahead or above as human being from the two others...

[@drvee1983]

A musician's musician. Great interview.

[@Ed9870]

A musician's musician.

[@ajmagic111]

What truly nice man

[@helenaopal]

Thank you for posting!!

[@PopStarConversations]

Our pleasure!

[@francishughes2016]

Jeez, Jimmy said that J. P. J. did'nt need me for a job, because as Jimmy was a sessions musician in the mid 60,s J. P. J. was also a sessions musician at the same time, but he was bored with it, & he was very respected within the industry. Also people seem to forget that he was a classically trained musician, & Jimmy said that he was the best out of all of us, he was that rare thing, a musician's musician. Some of the tracks he plays keyboards with his hands, & plays the bass guitar with his feet, unbelievable ! !

[@Tunafish69]

JPJ was so important to Zep's music in so many ways? They were truly four musicians that when together formed that fifth element, as Jimmy once said of the 'magic' of the band. JPJ bass lines are as tasty today as the day they were laid down to tape! Love him and mad respect ...

[@harrysmith6172]

Led Zeppelins' secret weapon

[@Lifelong_Lesson]

Yup. JPJ was the "secret" weapon. Bonzo was the obvious weapon hehe.

[@StuartHanson-fo7iw]

I cud listen to him all day🇬🇧👍

[@marions.120]

Great interview, more JPJ! ✌️😎👍🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶

[@larryrowe5259]

I am 70 and have played in some good bands in my life (some not so good) musicians know how hard it is to find 3,4, 5 guys to get on the same page and play using together , whether professionally or semi-profesionaly. Sometimes, it's just a flash in a pan (one hit wonder) or just some guys playing covers for years.

[@srocklund]

THE BEST BAND EVER----------

[@Leebig]

John Paul Jones one of the greatest 😊

[@venicalfebgaming73]

"John Paul Jones, how does it feel to go from a Naval Commander for the US during the american revolutionary war to a rock star?"

[@Lifelong_Lesson]

I wouldn't doubt it. I wouldn't doubt JPJ is an old soul whose lived some awesomely humble lives in the past. Probably learned a lot back then as well haha. What an awesome soul.

[@cindytappe6486]

Musicians just love the music. Old Time Fiddlers Festival in Idaho you would love. Great time.

[@glenncarpenter394]

Led Zeppelin should've done a final concert worldwide just to say this is the final show ...

[@monman8183]

How?

[@glenncarpenter394]

@@monman8183 The same way they did the last one

[@mrco887]

Nooo it’s impossible!! Keep legends alive in memory better than live!! Impossible reverse time and sound!! ,,, in Cllasic music we have Mozart in R&Roll music we have GREAT LED ZEPPELIN!!!,,👏👏👏👏

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

LOVE ME SOME JPJ✊🏾

[@37Dionysos]

"Five years? That's five minutes in Zeppelin time."

[@22julip]

Great musician he is . I don’t like to hear never about playing together . But you can blame Plant on that one . Page Bonham we’re up for it but Plant was like a prima donna changing his mind yes and no I think he liked the power he didn’t have with early Zeppelin. Just my opinion. But again thank you JPJ.and Jimmy for a great show and Jason too.

[@thekitowl]

Agree.

[@robstimson4234]

l never knew about 'Zeppelin time"!

[@johncook30284]

From Good Times Bad Times riffs, fills, solo break Whole Lotta Love- doubling the B and E Ramble on, Carrying the bottom on Since I've Been Loving You, Creating the basic riff of Black dog. Time Signature changes? No problem, Jimmy 'Fool in the Rain' N Q , etc.

[@damonjones9606]

I have JPJ's autograph!

[@Cincinnatus1869]

This is some kind of fake interview. Good insight from Jones though. He's my favorite bass player . Melodic and tasteful

[@cgab12]

In the 70s, Zepp did not appeal to many women. The women preferred disco. The women who were considered “rough around the edges” liked Zeppelin.

[@sawthemin77]

ROCK GOD !!

[@kermitmawyer1743]

Jpj. 1. Yes

[@Coleslaw693]

When was this interview recorded?

[@58Stejam]

It's a cut and paste. The artist records 1 interview and the answers are sent to DJs who then their own versions of the questions. 🙂

[@58Stejam]

BTW, the description says the interview was done 5 years after the 02 concert, so done in 2012 - probably to promote the Celebration Day release.

[@Steve-nm9qy]

who woulda guessed this man has something to say???

[@Matthew_Eitzman]

Baldwin pianos are named after him. He was born John Baldwin.

[@ChannelingJohnBonham]

oh for cryin' out loud. lol Baldwin pianos is an American company and started building pianos in the late 1800's. Absolutely no connection to John Baldwin/John Paul Jones.

[@shannonschaerer1010]

​@@ChannelingJohnBonhamThank you for saying that so I didn't have to!! People hear things, belive them & repeat things without doing any research of their own. It happens. For a long time (years ago) I thought that "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen was an Elvis Cover - till someone informed me that it was made to SOUND like an Elvis SONG, but WASIN'T!! It happens, but this piano thing is pretty damn far (DECADES) from the truth. Thank you for making that clear!! Peace!! There is much lore out there about musicians, I can think of several stories I was told LONG B4 I could Google it & find out the truth, that I believed some of them until someone like yourself informed me of what ACTUALLY happened. Take Care - Peace!!

[@ChannelingJohnBonham]

yw @@shannonschaerer1010

[@Houston343]

So interesting that LZ and 3 of the 4 band members are super famous but not too much about JPJ...

[@shivapejman8155]

He liked to stay under the radar.

[@vlastakadric4206]

I think he IS super famous.

[@thekitowl]

Not surprising though, one was exceptional & died too young, one had a successful solo career & the other one has never stopped talking about LZ.

[@BBaldwin]

He was always less recognizable, which allowed him to go out on his own on the street and see things while touring with Zeppelin. Much easier than would have been for Percy or Pagey….

[@Pimp-Master]

I love the obvious fake recordings where you guys punch in questions that he's answered years ago. Bravo!

[@stgonzales]

Maybe not, but sound bogus. Interviewer sounds added in. Just weird, like not at the same time or same interview

[@davehorlacher]

It's not a real interview. The just cut out the questions by the original interviewer and dubbed in their own questions. notice there is no back and forth conversation between them and the sound is way off, the audio engineer called it in that day.

[@benmeltzer]

Who is the "Tim"? to whom he refers at 1:06?

[@mark240862]

Jim... not Tim.. as in Jimmy Page. 👍

[@rosemarymills1671]

@@mark240862 oh!

[@markstevens1729]

These “ hosts” are asking canned questions, clipping his answers from another interview. Horrid! Not JPG, but the hack job of the producers.

[@alexscott730]

Who's the interviewer,Nardwar?...lol

[@johnsworld4275]

First band that has appeal to man and woman? Beatles: are we a joke to you?

[@marisaj2346]

Yes.

[@joeyhuebner10]

I don't really care for the fab four. Their later stuff was quite good but their bubblegum pop never appealed to me.

[@johnsworld4275]

@@joeyhuebner10 LOL you serious? You know that without those "bubblegum pop" the doors to US wouldn't have opened for bands like Zep and many others, right? So while you diss the Fab Four, legendary bands are very appreciative of their legacy.

[@joeyhuebner10]

@@johnsworld4275- Okay

[@benmeltzer]

Well, he did say "one of" the first.

[@mrfester42]

This sounds like a "canned" interview. The interviewer sounds like he was prerecorded and not the actual one who interviewed JPJ.

[@HipsterDoofus100]

Are these interviewers robots?

[@1959vegetarian]

It almost sounds like they are shouting the questions. Horrible

[@BBaldwin]

The Silent Assassin

[@I7435IC]

Still to this day ,, it Just ''pisses me off'',, that Zep, even had ''any'' thought about replacing him in the mid 70's !! ''With Maybe Lita Ford'' ??.. You gott'a be kidd'n !! .. ''That was just stupid !.'' ..He was the ''back bone'' of the band !! .. One of the most ''very'' under rated Bassist & Keyboard players of all time !!.. P/S,, I dabble in Bass & Keyboards myself,, & have done so for years... Ian

[@devanworkman8745]

Lmao, there's no truth to that whatsoever.

[@MCBhangramuffin]

Seriously doubt they were ever going to do that. Plant just told Lita that to try and get in her knickers probably

[@darinwalker9284]

Lits Ford is too dumb to realize Robert was trying to score. Jones thought about quitting in 73 because he was tired of touring. Grant and Page talked him out of it.

[@kowanmcgarry]

Play more piano

[@peternewman3487]

Pop star ?

[@shannonschaerer1010]

I KNOW!! LOL!! I'll say this - SOMEONE has to tell Miley Cyrus (Spelling? Who cares?) To STOP covering Zeppelin Songs!!

[@kennethhacker1341]

This interview sounds weird...it's almost like a different interview from a different time ...just saying

[@mandoist]

Because the two "hosts" are a-holes.

[@jocool47]

i thought he was dead for the longest time...

[@bartpitt2991]

?

[@MartinEB72]

Jason is so far from Bonzo it is sad. Frankly if Led Zeppelin actually got somebody that was world best at their O2 concert they probably would have done more shows. Instead they went with the sentimental favorite that was a good drummer, but will never be a great drummer.

[@user-fe8yp1rb9m]

Thank you! I can’t agree more. I’m not a drum expert but being a huge Zeppelin fan I was disappointed in Jason’s drumming. Their songs didn’t sound the same. They didn’t have the same swing or swag. How could they not also hear this? I think they are being PC or whatever you want to call it by praising Jason for his contribution.

[@StuartHanson-fo7iw]

Really good band? Typical English modesty

[@leom6165]

women like Zepellin? I dont think so Led music is to masculine even for some men

[@colinstafford7846]

My sister and my girlfriend got me into Zeppelin. I got my sister tickets for the first Knebworth concert in 79 as part of a wedding present.

[@christopherekin1747]

Leo you are way off base.

[@danielodom3839]

When he says hes pleased that it lasted so long hes not talking about performance . Constant non stop "remastered" milking more like it. Jimmy lost his talent many many many many years ago.

[@evelyngill5134]

Oh for Gods sake. Jimmy can still play rings around 15:40 most lead guitar players. He will never lose his talent. That is something you are born with.❤

[@chrissett4245]

Jason did great.. I bet his pop is/was smiling throughout