Robert Plant was interviewed for the upcoming book “Backbeats: A History of Rock and Roll in Fifteen Drummers” by John Lingan that will be published on November 11.
A new interview with Plant about Bonham and his time in the studio with Led Zeppelin is included in the 304-page book, LedZepNews has learned.
The description from the book from its publisher Simon & Schuster states that it contains “insider stories and exclusive interviews” such as “Robert Plant’s reflections on Led Zeppelin’s legendary sessions”.
The book is due to be published on November 11 in the US and on December 18 in the UK.
Here’s the full description of the book:
An electrifying journey through the history of rock and roll, told through the lives of fifteen iconic drummers and their percussion rivals—from John Bonham and Charlie Watts to Ringo Starr and Questlove.
Rock and roll thrives on rhythm, but the drummers who drive that pulse often stay in the shadows. In Backbeats, acclaimed music historian John Lingan brings these unsung heroes into the spotlight, delivering a fascinating journey through six decades of rock history.
Lingan’s deep research and vivid storytelling explores the lives of fifteen pathbreaking drummers and their fellow timekeepers—men and women who together laid down the beat of an era. From Bernard Purdie’s legendary work with Aretha Franklin to Dave Grohl’s funk- and punk-indebted swing for Nirvana, these drummers redefined what was possible in pop music. Iconic figures like Ringo Starr, whose inventive style transformed the Beatles, and Charlie Watts, the steady backbone of the Rolling Stones, take center stage. But Lingan doesn’t stop there—he also shines a light on groundbreaking, underappreciated talents like Maureen Tucker of The Velvet Underground, whose minimalist beats rewrote the rulebook, and Sam Lay, a pivotal figure in rock’s evolution from the blues.
Packed with insider stories and exclusive interviews—from Robert Plant’s reflections on Led Zeppelin’s legendary sessions to superstar recording engineer Steve Albini’s behind-the-scenes accounts—Backbeats offers an eye-opening glimpse into some of rock’s most unforgettable moments, including the seismic shift of Dylan going electric at Newport, James Brown’s explosive creation of funk in the late sixties, and the birth of LA thrash metal in the early eighties.
More than just a tribute to an unrecognized group of virtuosos, this book is a love letter to the art of drumming itself. Backbeats shows how these remarkable artists not only kept the beat but drove rock and roll forward. It’s a must-read for any music lover, offering a fresh and thrilling perspective on a story we only thought we knew.
It’s always good to read about how John Bonham’s bandmates in Led Zeppelin viewed him and his tremendous drumming.Robert Plant, who was not just Bono’s Led Zeppelin bandmate, he was also John Bonham’s best friend throughout. The two were both in Band Of Joy prior to being asked by Jimmy Page to join Led Zeppelin.
I sure hope they include Ginger Baker
Just 15 drummers will be published in that book. Well hopefully Ian Pace, Bill Ward, Mitch Mitchell, Clive Bunker and more rock Drummer musicians. John Bonham is a must in this interview by Robert Plant. Behe knows what hes gonna talk about.
Nice..looking forward