John Bonham was honoured with a plaque commemorating the house he was born in, in his hometown of Redditch.
Bev Bevan, who drummed in ’60s psych band The Move and later in prog pioneers ELO was a close front of Bonham, and attended the ceremony.
“John and myself were really close friends”, he says, “particularly in the late seventies and we had some wonderful times together. He was mad keen on cars and would seem to change them every month or so.
“We’d go to his house and there would be two drum kits, one for him and one for me, and a mini kit for his son Jason, who was only about five at the time. To see him recognised like this is wonderful and the plaque looks great.”
Deborah Bonham, the late drummer’s sister, unveiled the plaque.
“I was absolutely delighted and honored to be asked to perform this ceremony,” she said. “John always stayed in Worcestershire and it is an amazing honor that he has been recognized in this way. I am sure wherever he is he is raising a glass to this with mum and dad to say thank you.”
John Bonham died on September 25, 1980, at the age of 32.
