The 1972 Led Zeppelin song that would cure John Bonham’s stage fright every night
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.
In short
- Bonham said he had bad nerves before concerts.
- “Rock And Roll” helped him feel ready to play.
- Festivals made the wait and anxiety worse.
Explained simply
Led Zeppelin were a British rock band formed in 1968, with John Bonham on drums, Robert Plant singing, Jimmy Page on guitar and John Paul Jones on bass and keyboards. They became known for loud, energetic performances and songs that drew on blues and hard rock.
Stage fright is anxiety before or during a performance, and it can affect experienced musicians as well as newcomers. Festival appearances could make the wait to perform especially long, while musicians often had to manage their energy before going on stage.
“Rock And Roll” appeared on Led Zeppelin’s 1971 album Led Zeppelin IV and became part of their live set. Bonham’s account offers a glimpse of how a familiar song could help him shift from waiting anxiously to playing.