Meet John Paul Jones, a true musical genius
With his exceptional skills as an instrumentalist, composer, and arranger, he has made a name for himself internationally as the bassist of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin. In fact, Rolling Stone Magazine even recognized him as one of the greatest bassists in music history.
Born in Kent, England in 1946, John Richard Baldwin later adopted his stage name inspired by Captain John Paul Jones, a prominent figure in the American War of Independence. Growing up in a musical household with professional musician parents, John was exposed to music from an early age. His parents taught him to play the piano and even organized family concerts.
In his youth, John’s musical interests leaned towards jazz and classical music. Icons like Sergei Rachmaninoff and Charlie Mingus were his idols. Rock ’n’ roll and Elvis Presley didn’t capture his attention until later on. However, it was the blues that truly captivated him and sparked his exploration into rhythm and ultimately led him to rock music.
During his time at music college in London, John deepened his understanding of music theory and gained valuable experience playing keyboards. He even served as an organist and choirmaster at a local church for a period of time.
At just 14 years old, John received his first bass guitar which quickly became his instrument of choice. He formed bands while still in school and performed at US Air Force bases in England before embarking on tours across various clubs and concert venues.
As a session musician, he contributed to recording albums for different artists under Decca Records. In 1964, he released his first solo single titled “Baja/A Foggy Day In Vietnam.”
During this era, bass guitars were still relatively unknown to many musicians, making it challenging to write scores specifically for them. Only a few musicians truly understood how to approach songs with this instrument. Interestingly enough, the only band that didn’t require John’s services was The Beatles. In England, he and Paul McCartney were the only ones who recognized that bass and keyboards alone weren’t enough for a complete arrangement. Both of them constantly sought to learn and play different instruments, setting them apart from the rest.
John Paul Jones is a true musical prodigy whose talent knows no bounds. From his early exposure to classical and jazz music to his groundbreaking contributions to rock music, he has left an indelible mark on the industry. His versatile skills as a bassist, composer, and arranger have solidified his place among the greatest musicians of all time.
In 1964, John Paul Jones was gaining recognition as a talented arranger, collaborating with notable artists such as The Rolling Stones, Billy Nichols, and Jeff Beck. However, the heavy workload soon became overwhelming for him.
By 1968, Jones found himself doing an exhausting 50–60 arrangements per month. He described it as a burden that was taking a toll on him. It was during this time that he crossed paths with guitarist Jimmy Page while working on an album for The Yardbirds. When the band disbanded, Jones stepped in as the bassist and soon vocalist Robert Plant and drummer John Bonham joined them. This marked the birth of Led Zeppelin.
Led Zeppelin’s first concert took place in Denver on December 26, 1968. Within a year, they had played over 175 concerts and their popularity soared as their records achieved gold status. In 1973, they even broke The Beatles’ record by performing in front of 49,236 people at Atlanta’s stadium.
While Jones may have been reserved on stage compared to his bandmates, his contribution to Led Zeppelin’s music cannot be overstated. As a skilled arranger and composer, he created unique harmonies and rhythms that made their compositions stand out.
Some notable examples of Jones’ work include his distinctive bass part in “What Is and What Should Never Be” and his incorporation of classical fragments into the piano parts of songs like ‘No Quarter’. He also introduced the mesmerizing sound of the mellotron on ‘The Rain Song’, which was groundbreaking at the time.
Jones’ musical talents extended beyond Led Zeppelin as well. He continued to do session work and showcased his skills on bass, keyboards, and arranging for artists like Madeline Bell.
Sadly, Led Zeppelin came to an end in 1980 following the death of John Bonham. However, during their twelve-year run together, they created a unique sound by blending elements of folk, soul, and country music. Their energetic rhythms, powerful basslines, and memorable melodies have solidified their albums as classics in the hard rock genre.
