The “quiet one" in Led Zeppelin was also the one responsible for many of that band's innovative nuances, not to mention his strata shaking low end brilliance. We adore every little thing about John Paul Jones - his musicianship, his versatility, his gentlemanly ways. JPJ is everything good about serious rock musicians, and he embodies much of the underlying philosophy here at JamBase, where a dedication to great music - of whatever stripe - and live performance fuel our efforts. Happy, happy, happy birthday, sir!
We kick off our salute to Jones with his solo instrumental “Tidal" captured at the Hard Rock with Extreme's Nuno Bettencourt throwing down admirably.
Alrighty, let's get some Zep. JPJ's bassline on “Black Dog" is rumored to be a cure for erectile dysfunction. Here's rock's greatest blimp live in 1975 at the end of a five-night run at Earl's Court in London. When their honey drip we really can't keep away.
Jones is a wicked mandolin player and he always seems down to pick with young bands. Here he is with The Duhks at the 2007 Merlefest. The clip begins already in flight and eventually lands in “Whole Lotta Love."
Next, Jones rehearsing “Dazed and Confused" with Ben Harper and ?uestlove before their 2007 Superjam performance at Bonnaroo.
Jones and his pal Jimmy Page popped over to Wembley to join the Foo Fighters for a few Zep tunes last year, including this pleasant run at “Ramble On." Could Dave Grohl look any happier to have these two onstage?
One of the more out there collaborations from Jones' post-Zeppelin years was with avant garde singer/general freak Diamanda Galas. Here's their short-lived band performing live on TV in 1994. You may recognize the program's host.
Next, a sweet lil' acoustic instrumental version of “Going To California" performed by Jones and Paul Gilbert.
Back to Zeppelin with an early TV performance of “Babe I'm Gonna Leave You," where Jones shows both barbarian heaviness and feather lightness in his stunning bass work. What a baby face on Robert here!
We wrap with Jones alone with a triple neck guitar on 2000's Zooma. What a lot of sound from one man, but that kinda goes without saying with JPJ.
