Rhino Factoids: John Bonham Scores #1 Greatest Drummer Title from Classic Rock Magazine

12 years ago today, John “Bonzo” Bonham was declared to be in the top spot of Classic Rock Magazine’s list of the top drummers of all time.

Given his well-documentary history of being a madman behind the drum kit, it can’t have been a terribly stressful decision to pick Bonham for the top spot, but it was still the sort of honor that’s undeniably cool. If only Bonham himself had been able to attend, it would’ve arguably been the best night ever, but he’d slipped away to the next room (as poet Henry Scott Holland once put it) some years earlier, so he was limited to being there in spirit only, alas.

If you’re wondering about the competition Bonham had in his field, then wonder no more:

Keith Moon, The Who
Ginger Baker, Cream
Neal Peart, Rush
Hal Blaine
Clyde Stubblefield and John 'Jabo' Starks
Gene Krupa
Mitch Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix Experience

As you can see, there was drumming talent to spare. It’s a real testament to just how talented and how well respected Bonzo was that he took home the title.