Discovery of John Bonham Interview Tape in Australia Sheds New Light on Becoming Led Zeppelin

The premiere of ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’, the first officially authorized documentary of the iconic band, took place worldwide over the recent weekend. Surprisingly, Australia played a substantial role in unraveling the band’s story, particularly through the uncovering of a previously unheard John Bonham interview at the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra.

The fateful encounter behind the historic John Bonham interview occurred in 1972 through a serendipitous circumstance. Graeme Berry, a broadcaster from Sydney’s 2SM radio station, journeyed to London to interview Robert Plant ahead of Led Zeppelin’s upcoming Australian tour. This led him to travel 174 kilometers by train from London to Kidderminster to visit Plant at his farm. Coincidentally, Bonham arrived at Plant’s house during Berry’s visit, sparking an impromptu and significant interview session.

Berry sent the recorded tapes back to 2SM, where they were later utilized to promote the band’s 1972 tour of Australia. Led Zeppelin’s visit to Australia in 1972 was a notable and one-of-a-kind occurrence, with tour dates spanning across Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.

In retrospect, Robert Plant revisited Australia on four memorable solo tours in the years 1984, 1996, 2013, and 2018, with the 1996 tour famously featuring the iconic Jimmy Page. In a rare event, John Paul Jones, Led Zeppelin’s versatile musician, graced Australia with his presence only once in 2010 as part of the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures alongside Dave Grohl and Josh Homme.

‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’, created for IMAX, promises an immersive experience into the band’s history and legacy. Following its global premiere, the documentary is set to return for additional screenings at IMAX on the 21st and 22nd of February for eager fans and music enthusiasts to delve into Led Zeppelin’s rich narrative.

Set against the backdrop of Led Zeppelin’s monumental success and the release of their fourth studio album featuring the iconic track ‘Stairway to Heaven’, the discovery of the John Bonham interview tape provided a unique insight. Graeme Berry’s interview captured a rare and personal side of Bonham, who was notoriously reserved in public engagements. The interview delved into various facets of Bonham’s musical journey and his life before Led Zeppelin, offering a treasure trove of insights for documentary makers and enthusiasts.

Thanks to the relentless efforts of director Bernard MacMahon and the NFSA team, the long-lost tape resurfaced, becoming a cornerstone of ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’. The documentary serves not only as a tribute to Led Zeppelin’s enduring influence but also as a testament to the meticulous work of archives like the NFSA in safeguarding and preserving precious cultural artifacts for future generations to cherish.