Over The Hills And Far Away - John Paul Jones

John Paul Jones hmmmmmm few of you must have heard of him and some you wouldn't have but i can surely tell you that he was the key man behind Led Zeppelin.Im pretty sure many of you must have heard the signature classic and timless song that still plays in a lotta pubs rock shows and homes "Stairway To Heaven" but if you hear it clearly you hear a bass sound but there aint no bass,how is that you mite wonder.Its none other than Jones playing an overdubbed Bass on Keyboards.Lets not forget this was way back in the late 60's and early 70's no processors.He is undoubtley the hidden talent in the band.Though most of the focus was on Panzy Plant,and Guitar God Page. (Picture-Clockwise from top Jimmy Page,Robert Plant,Jones,Bonham)

John Paul Jones stage name for John Bladwin,son of Joe Baldwin who was a pianist and arranger for many orchestras in the 40's and 50's.His mother was in the music business and the family toured together and which let him perform with his parents.He studied music at Christ College in Kent his birthplace and he plays almost 9 instruments few being the guitars,mandolin,banjo,Koto an ancient Japanese string instrument,cello,mellotron,organ PHEW!!!! and is the primary composer in Led Zeppelin

His first band was The Deltas at the age of 15,the was taken into The New Yardbirds the first band of Jimmy Page which later became Led Zeppelin.His famous works with Zeppelin would be the unforgettable KASHMIR having a very eastern touch to music.The great intro bassline in Dazed And Confused keyboard solo in No Quarter and Stairway To Heaven as i mentioned before.Let me give you a fact bout the song if you have ever noticed the lyrics closely you mite or mite not get the meaning behind it,its a song bout a woman who goes to buy heroin to get high.Again Jones work on the lyrics.

His work was kept undisclosed and kept private so no one would know it as mentioned by Jones in the later years.His diversity for the group also extended to other instruments, which included unusual double and even triple necked mandolins.You can see brilliant work on the Mandolin in Going to California

After the breakup of Led Zeppelin he also collaborated with R.E.M,Heart,Ben E King,a number of video sessions with Paul Mc Cartney and also worked with Foo Fighters on one of their albums.Led Zepp might be be no more but JPJ will never go unoticed again.