Since Led Zeppelin disbanded following the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980, the three surviving members of the band have …

Since Led Zeppelin disbanded following the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980, the three surviving members of the band have …

 

Since Led Zeppelin disbanded following the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980, the three surviving members—Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones—have pursued diverse and influential paths, each leaving a unique imprint on the music world while carefully preserving the legacy of one of rock’s most legendary bands.

 

John Bonham’s untimely passing in September 1980 marked the end of an era. Rather than attempting to continue without their powerhouse drummer, the band made the difficult decision to call it quits, stating, “We could not continue as we were.” This marked the beginning of a new chapter for each member.

 

Robert Plant: Carving a Solo Identity

 

Vocalist Robert Plant was the first to establish a solo career. Launching into the 1980s with albums like Pictures at Eleven (1982) and The Principle of Moments (1983), Plant distanced himself stylistically from Zeppelin’s heavy rock sound. Over the decades, he explored genres ranging from new wave and synth-rock to world music and Americana.

 

Plant’s collaboration with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss in the 2000s proved to be a critical and commercial success. Their 2007 album Raising Sand won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. The duo reunited in 2021 for Raise the Roof, showcasing Plant’s continued creative evolution and vocal prowess.

 

Jimmy Page: The Keeper of the Flame

 

Guitarist Jimmy Page took a more selective approach, occasionally stepping into the spotlight. In the early 1980s, he formed The Firm with Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, releasing two albums. Page also collaborated with artists like David Coverdale and even reunited briefly with Plant for the Page and Plant project in the 1990s, which resulted in the album Walking into Clarksdale (1998).

 

Though Page has not released much new material in recent years, he has dedicated himself to meticulously remastering and reissuing Led Zeppelin’s discography, preserving the band’s legacy for new generations. His role as the band’s unofficial archivist has kept him closely connected to Zeppelin’s enduring mythology.

 

John Paul Jones: The Quiet Innovator

 

Bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones has perhaps been the most eclectic since the breakup. From composing film scores to producing albums and performing with artists across genres, Jones has maintained a low-key yet highly respected presence. One of his most notable post-Zeppelin projects was Them Crooked Vultures, a supergroup formed with Dave Grohl and Josh Homme. Their 2009 self-titled album was well-received and showed Jones’ adaptability and innovation.

 

Reunions and Legacy

 

Despite numerous offers and speculation, Led Zeppelin has reunited only a handful of times, most notably for the 2007 one-off show at London’s O2 Arena with Bonham’s son, Jason, on drums. The concert, later released as Celebration Day, was hailed as a triumph and a fitting tribute to their late bandmate.

 

Now over four decades since their split, the three surviving members continue to honor Led Zeppelin’s legacy in their own ways—whether through preservation, reinvention, or musical exploration. While the band itself may never reform, their influence remains deeply woven into the fabric of rock history.