Bonzo in Achilles Last Stand is the best musicianship ever done

For a percussionist to have such influence on subsequent generation of players is extraordinary. His contemporaries in rock music (not known as a bastion of virtuosity - although the occasional guitarist or keyboardist gets close) - particularly Keith Moon and Neil Peart both generally get higher marks for "style" and "skill" (at least flashiness that passes for skill), respectively - Bonham was heavily influenced by the "jazz cool" drummers of the previous generation, notably Roach, Krupa and Rich, but others as well.

Bonham balanced a steady beat, awesome right foot, a hard hitting style, a deceptive knowledge of the drums' place in music AND how to tune/record/project the drums appropriately into the music.

From a pure virtuosity standpoint on the drums themselves - Bonham cannot be considered a "master" as musicians use that term. However, he may be the best rock and roll drummer ever - and is almost certainly the most influential. The big sound is what almost every rock drummer wants. If Bonzo was a master, it was of the big sound. And technically, although not a master, his skills were good enough along with his other abilities to make him stand out even looking back this far.

Now, being in Zeppelin didn't hurt - because after all the songs do make a difference, but he's as important part of that sound as any of the other 3 were.

The isolated drum track from Fool in the Rain is absolutely stunning. No click track, plus a complete change in feel equals one of the greatest rock drum tracks of all time. THE only guy who could match Bernard Purdie lick for lick in terms of new and innovative ways of taking a shuffle and turning it into something beyond magic.

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His influence and importance to LZ can best be demonstrated by his regrettable death upon which they just disbanded as they knew they couldn't replace him. He was too important, too integral to the band. In a bizarre way, that is the highest compliment.

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Very well put

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Heart definitely borrowed this drum track for Barracuda...

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Never made that connection, but you're right!

Isolated drum track from Fool in the Rain

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When Heart was recording the "Greatest Hits - Live" package covering their 1970s era songs in the summer of 1980, they covered Rock and Roll - recorded in August 1980

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Saw them at AU in April '80 and they played it during their set. Totally kicked arse, I was quite impressed.

BTW, Nancy Wilson is a highly underrated guitarist. And she's aged a lot better than pretty much all of her contemporaries

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Can someone explain to a layman such as myself what sets the great drummers apart from others?

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Drummers that impress me the most have one thing in common, they are a human metronome. A great sense of time and staying in the pocket are things that all great drummers have. Its not all about chops and fills.

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Can someone explain to a layman such as myself what sets the great drummers apart from others?

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Knowing when to step out and when to lay back. A sense of time. The ability to keep an entire band in the pocket. And most importantly......feel. Some of my favorite rock tracks that demonstrate this.....
Tom Sawyer
Fool in the Rain
Aja
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

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Can someone explain to a layman such as myself what sets the great drummers apart from others?

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As a drummer, I've always thought that the great ones had two essential qualities:

1. Ability to hold a steady tempo
2. Ability to play whatever the music requires, regardless of how much, or how little, that might be.