The instrumental “Moby Dick” possesses an extended solo from percussionist John Bonham that will make listeners’ mouths drop. Decades ago, the mighty Led Zeppelin was kings of stadium rock. On tour, John Bonham grew immediate fame for his performance of the tune from 1969’s Zeppelin II. Thousands of Naples real estate owners who consider themselves to be Led Heads agree that “Moby Dick” showcases the drummer’s inconceivable talent, lifting the song to a heavenly plateau.
John Henry Bonham, aka “Bonzo,” climbed the stairway to heaven on September 25, 1980. Zeppelin was in rehearsals for an upcoming American jaunt when the man was found dead at age 32 due to asphyxiation following excessive alcohol consumption. His skills were irreplaceable and Zeppelin disbanded. Equivalent to Jimi Hendrix’ “Star Spangled Banner” at Woodstock, Bonzo’s “Moby Dick” is the greatest drum solo in music history. According to Bonham’s wife Pat, the song is named Moby Dick because his son asked him to play “The long song,” in reference to “The Lemon Song.” When asked why, Jason answered, “It’s big like Moby.” In no time, “Pat’s Delight” morphed into “Moby Dick.”
When played live, singer Robert Plant would simply introduce Bonham. The man’s incredible drum solo would last anywhere from 12 to 40 minutes. He would often break his weapon and toss broken sticks into the audience. The rock star would then continue with karate chops and hand slaps on the instrument. Blood sometimes dripped from his palms as a result.
As seen in homes for sale in Naples, Bonham’s fantasy sequence of The Song Remains the Same DVD entails a twelve-and-a-half-minute version of “Moby Dick.” Just watch the man play and you will know why Bonzo is the greatest drummer to ever tour the globe. The legend’s son, Jason, is seen in The Song Remains the Same, fiddling around behind his daddy’s instrument.
Performing “Moby Dick” for London’s arenas in 1975, viewers see the song from the beginning with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones onstage. For obvious filming reasons, Bonzo wore the same outfit at six concerts in a row. He sports a tight black T-shirt flaunting sparkling sequin in the shape of a V. Under a green light, he adds a metallic feel to the number when he beats steel drums. Even when a stick twirls out of his grasp, Bonzo never slows down. He just grabs a new one, never losing pace in his hands or feet. Even after half-an-hour. True Zeppelin fans never get bored watching Bonzo create “Moby Dick” with pure precision.
On the 1990 Zeppelin Box Set, Jimmy Page remixed the awe-inspiring cut to flow seamlessly into “Bonzo’s Montreux.” In 1969, Page added a guitar riff to the mix, which came from “The Girl I Love She Got Long Black Wavy Hair.” A live recording is now available on the BBC Sessions CD. How the West Was Won also captured doing more than 20 minutes of “Moby Dick’s” sound in Long Beach Arena in 1972. And the Led Zeppelin DVD also has a 15-minute long version that was performed and recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in 1970. Which of these modern classics can be found in your Naples luxury home?
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