A MUSIC event held in Redditch town centre has raised £3,800 for Teenage Cancer Trust in the West Midlands.
John Bonham A Celebration III, held at the end of May, was organised by the local John Bonham Memorial Friends (JBMF) group, in partnership with the Palace Drumming Clinic (PDC) to celebrate the legendary Led Zeppelin drummer’s 75th Birthday, life and legacy.
Fans came from the US, Europe including Scandinavia, and around the UK, and when the gates opened at midday, they were treated to ‘John’s Jukebox’, an hour-long set by DJ Jon the Revelator.
Then from 1pm until 9.30pm, the line-up included Vincent Flatts Final Drive, Sundance, the Ceri Justice Band, and headliners, Led Into Zeppelin.
There was also a special appearance by the Eric Bell Trio – Eric was the co-founder and original guitarist of Thin Lizzy – who treated the audience to full versions of two early hits, “Whiskey in the Jar” (1972) and “The Rocker” (1973).
To commemorate John’s 75th, there was a drum roll followed by a chorus or two of ‘Happy Birthday to you’ accompanied by Eric Ashcroft on guitar and balloons galore.
Compere, Neville Farmer, a close friend of John’s sister, singer-songwriter, Deborah Bonham had the pleasure of also interviewing several of the special guests in between the bands, all with a connection to John and Led Zeppelin.
Jim Simpson, Black Sabbath’s first manager, Paul Lockey, bassist with Band of Joy, Redditch-born Eric Ashcroft, guitarist who joined Pat Wayne and The Beachcombers at the same time as John Bonham (1966) and Dave Lewis, Led Zeppelin Author were just four of those who shared their memories.
Director Ros Sidaway said: “We’re delighted to have raised this amount of money for Teenage Cancer Trust West Midlands.
“With increased costs and reduced sponsorship income this year, we were even more reliant on ticket revenue and merchandise sales and even though money is tight for people right now, the fans didn’t let us down.”
