Statement by Led Zeppelin record label on the death of John Bonham on Sept. 25, 1980
Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, 32, died on Sept. 25, 1980, at the home of bandmate Jimmy Page in England.
The Led Zeppelin record label, Swan Song, issued a short statement on the date of death but apparently not a follow-up statement as indicated:
“John Bonham, drummer of Led Zeppelin, was today found dead in the house of a friend in England. There will be no further statement until after an autopsy examination, which is to be held tomorrow.”
United Press International reported that the home, on the river Thames, was purchased by Page that year from Michael Caine for $2.1 million.
A few days later, the Chicago Tribune reported that the coroner’s inquest determined that Bonham suffered an “accidental death” after “drinking about 40 shots of vodka in 12 hours.”
Page testified at a coroner’s inquest that Bonham was “tipsy” when he arrived for rehearsal sessions for the band’s upcoming United States tour. Bonham’s assistant, Rex King, testified that Bonham “dozed off” at the rehearsal session and had to be carried to a bedroom at Page’s home.
The article said Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant “has not been available for comment.”
(July 2026)
