Did Any Members of Led Zeppelin Play Instruments Besides Guitars?

Many fans of Led Zeppelin are often curious about the musical abilities of the band's members beyond their primary instruments. While Jimmy Page is the guitarist for whom Led Zeppelin is best known, the band featured a rich array of musical talent that often extended beyond just guitars. This article will explore the various instruments played by each member of Led Zeppelin and how they contributed to the band's distinct sound.

About Led Zeppelin

Formed in London in 1968, Led Zeppelin was one of the most influential and successful rock bands in the history of music. The band consisted of four key members: Robert Plant (lead vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass and keyboards), and John Bonham (drums).

Robert Plant

Robert Plant, the band's frontman, primarily performed lead vocals and harmonica. While Plant was not typically known for his instrumental abilities, he did occasionally play the bass on their fifth album Physical Graffiti. This was a rare occurrence, and it was unusual for Plant to play any instrument other than his vocals or harmonica in their live performances or recorded music.

Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page, the guitarist, is perhaps the most recognized member of Led Zeppelin. A virtuoso guitarist, Page played lead guitar for the band in virtually all their tracks. Despite his reputation as a guitarist, Page occasionally played piano in the studio, though it was not a common occurrence.

John Paul Jones

John Paul Jones, often referred to simply as JPP, was a multi-instrumentalist of incredible depth and versatility. Beyond the bass guitar, Jones was a master of keyboards, which added a rich layer of complexity to their music. In fact, Jones was known to be capable of playing up to 30 different musical instruments. This breadth of his musical talent made him highly sought after as a session musician.

John Bonham

John Bonham, the drummer, was renowned for his thunderous drumming style. However, despite his primary role as the drummer, it is important to know that he also occasionally played guitar in some of their early tracks, though it was not a consistent practice.

Questions and Controversies

The topic of which members played which instruments sometimes prompts questions and controversies from fans. One such example is the assertion that Led Zeppelin members only played guitar. This is a common misconception. The truth is, while Jimmy Page was the guitar hero of the band, John Paul Jones was a master of keyboards and bass, contributing significantly to the musical texture of their songs. Robert Plant's harmonica and occasional bass playing are also worth noting, providing a more complete picture of each member's contributions.

Conclusion

It is clear that each member of Led Zeppelin brought a unique instrument to the band. While Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Bonham are perhaps best known for their primary roles, John Paul Jones challenged this narrative as a multi-instrumentalist capable of playing a diverse range of instruments, making him a key figure in the band's sound.