# The 1972 Led Zeppelin song that would cure John Bonham’s stage fright every night

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-1972-led-zeppelin-song-that-would-cure-john-bonhams-stage-fright-every-night/
- Published: 2026-10-30T12:05:37+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-30T12:34:56+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1972-led-zeppelin-song-cured-john-bonham-stage-fright/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Bonham said he had bad nerves before concerts.
- “Rock And Roll” helped him feel ready to play.
- Festivals made the wait and anxiety worse.

## Summary

John Bonham said he suffered from severe nerves before Led Zeppelin concerts, despite his commanding performances as the band’s drummer. He found that starting the 1972 song “Rock And Roll” settled him, making it a reliable way to overcome his stage fright.

Bonham said he worried about playing badly while waiting to go on, and that his nerves were worse at festivals, where performers could spend hours waiting and avoid drinking so they would not tire. He described other band members as having their own pre-show routines, such as pacing or lighting a cigarette.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.