ON THIS DAY IN 1973, LED ZEPPELIN’S JOHN BONHAM CELEBRATED A WILD 25TH BIRTHDAY SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS AND MUSICAL LEGENDS

Following a gig at Los Angeles Forum, where Robert Plant led an impromptu rendition of Happy Birthday, the group headed back to Laurel Canyon for the party.

Ex-Beatle George Harrison was in attendance with his wife Pattie and reports from the night say he definitely got into the swing of the festivities. Seeing Bonham take a photo with his birthday cake, Harrison took hold of the cake and planted it onto Bonzo’s head. Bonham apparently found this amusing and threw the ex-Beatle and his wife into the swimming pool, where much of the party followed. Jimmy Page who is known to be unable to swim and was wearing a very expensive purple suit waded into the shallow end to avoid being thrown in by his drunken drummer.

Many other stories have released in the years since the party and since Bonham’s tragic death, including tales of Cadillacs and motorcycles being driven through the gardens, and Robert Plant climbing trees to shout to those round him. The party exemplifies Zeppelin’s rambunctious spirit, in particular the wild antics of their acclaimed drummer, Bonzo.