John Paul Jones (1946

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Biography

John Paul Jones is an English musician and record producer who was the bassist and keyboardist for the rock band Led Zeppelin. He was a session musician and arranger when he formed the band with Jimmy Page in 1968. Jones developed a solo career after drummer John Bonham died and Led Zeppelin disbanded in 1980. He has collaborated with musicians in a variety of genres, including the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures with Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, and Alain Johannes. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 as a member of Led Zeppelin.

Timeline

The story of John Paul Jones, told in moments.

1946 Birth

Born John Richard Baldwin in Sidcup, Kent. His father played piano for big bands. His mother toured too. The family performed together as a vaudeville act across England.

A family vaudeville act. Was performance in the blood? Born John Richard Baldwin. Did the name change feel necessary?

1964 Life

Began session work at Decca Records on the recommendation of Tony Meehan. Over four years he played bass, keys, and arranged on hundreds of recordings. He worked with the Rolling Stones on Their Satanic Majesties Request and Donovan on "Hurdy Gurdy Man." The phone didn't stop ringing.

Hundreds of recordings in four years. Was session work fulfilling or factory labor? Working with the Rolling Stones and Donovan. Did anyone know your name?

1968 Event

Formed Led Zeppelin with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Bonham. Jones handled bass and keyboards. Their debut album was recorded in 30 hours of studio time.

Led Zeppelin's debut in 30 hours of studio time. Was that rushed or efficient? Handling bass and keyboards. Did versatility make you indispensable?

1995 Event

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Led Zeppelin. The band had sold over 300 million records. Jones had been the quiet one, but the rhythm section doesn't lie.

300 million records sold. Did you feel like the quiet one? The rhythm section doesn't lie. Did you need recognition?

2009 Event

Formed the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures with Dave Grohl and Josh Homme. The album debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200. Jones was 63 and playing harder than musicians half his age.

Them Crooked Vultures at sixty-three. Was that a second youth? Playing harder than musicians half your age. Is energy unlimited?

In Their Own Words (5)

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.

Letter to Le Ray de Chaumont (16 November 1778), as quoted in The Naval History of the United States (1890) by Willis John Abbot, p. 82, 1890

I have not yet begun to fight!

His famous response, in the early phase of the , (23 September 1779) to an inquiry by his opponent (Captain Richard Pearson of the Royal Navy ship HMS Serapis) as to whether he was surrendering his ship, the USS Bonhomme Richard, as recounted in the reminiscences of Jones's First Lieutenant, Richard Dale, as published in The Life and Character of John Paul Jones, a Captain in the United States Navy (1825) by John Henry Sherburne:, 1825

I may sink, but I'll be damned if I strike!

His much less famous response, in the late phase of the Battle of Flamborough Head, 23 September 1779, to an inquiry by his opponent (Captain Richard Pearson of the Royal Navy ship HMS Serapis) as to whether he was surrendering his ship, the USS Bonhomme Richard, which was by this time very seriously damaged., 1779

Where men of fine feeling are concerned there is seldom misunderstanding.

Letter from Jones to the Marquis de Lafayette, (1 May 1779), 1779

A navy is essentially and necessarily aristocratic. True as may be the political principles for which we are now contending they can never be practically applied or even admitted on board ship, out of port, or off soundings. This may seem a hardship, but it is nevertheless the simplest of truths. Whilst the ships sent forth by the Congress may and must fight for the principles of human rights and republican freedom, the ships themselves must be ruled and commanded at sea under a system of absolute despotism.

Letter to the Naval Committee of Congress (14 September 1775), 1775