Chapter 01 — Today in music
On a day like today May 31
1948
John Bonham is born, Led Zeppelin's human thunder
On May 31, 1948, John Bonham was born in Redditch — the force of nature who redefined what rock drumming could be. His hit on 'When the Levee Breaks' remains the most sampled drum sound in history, and his groove swung even at maximum volume. When he died in 1980, Led Zeppelin disbanded immediately: without Bonzo, there simply was no band.
John Bonham
Led Zeppelin
1976
The Who enter the Guinness Book as the loudest concert on Earth
On May 31, 1976, The Who played Charlton Athletic's stadium in London and registered 120 decibels at 32 meters from the stage: a Guinness record for the loudest concert in history to that date. More than a piece of trivia, the number sums up a philosophy: for The Who, volume was part of the message. Several members paid the price with their hearing.
The Who
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