I don’t quite understand how losing Bonham killed Led Zeppelin

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I don’t quite understand how losing Bonham killed Led Zeppelin

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Neither do I

There were still plenty of blues musicians to cheat and steal from

Those drums were a huge part of the Zeppelin sound and the last 2 albums were weak. Probably a good decision. I’m glad they weren’t around to do a hair metal record with Mutt Lange in 1986.

Here's the official statement about their decision not to continue as Led Zeppelin:

"We wish it to be known that the loss of our dear friend and the deep sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were."

In other words, they were so close that they felt Bonham could not be replaced. It had nothing to do with musical ability. It was like losing a family member and there was no way to replace that chemistry even if they wanted to.

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What other drummer was doing what Bonham was doing during that time?

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Carmine Apiece (sp?)

He could have done it. He beat the shite out of his drums too and could have mimic’d Bonham.

Remember, this wasn’t Metallica losing Cliff right when things were taking off. Zepplin were on top of the world for over a decade. They all missed home and families and were tired. Hell Plant had a young son die while on tour, now his best friend in the band (reportedly).

I believe they were legitimately heartbroken. Some other drummer “not being capable” was just an excuse. I believe they just would have been miserable with another guy up there. Like they were cheating on him. Like a wife dying and yourfricking some skank a month later. Sure your pipes get blown out, but Your probably gonna be a wreck afterward.

The fact that they never toured again could tell you something. Maybe they’d STILL be sad with another guy up there. Even Bonhams kid.

Listen to John Paul Jones in interviews. He sounds like he is still over it? I can’t wrap my head around being that awesome and being “meh” at a chance to be awesome again, but I’m not him.

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There's at least 4 tracks on In Through The Out Door that are as good as anything else in their catalog, and Fool In The Rain is some of Bonzo's best work.

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I certainly hope that Carouselambra is one of your four!

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and the last 2 albums were weak.

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If you're counting the last two as "In Through the Out Door" and "Coda" I can see your point, although "In" has some great stuff on it. "Coda" was just thrown out there a couple of years after they broke up with a bunch of below-average Zep stuff.

Some folks don't count Coda as an actual album, in which case "Presence" would be one of the last two. I hope you don't mean this, as IMHO "Presence" is an amazing album.

I mean, page absolutely admitted to “lifting” exact riffs and progressions from past unknown blues musicians.

After Keith Moon died, The WHO kept going for another 14 years until Entwistle bought it.

Other than making a shite ton of money and giving fans a chance to see 3/4 of the original lineup live a few times, was it really worth it?

I was never a huge Zep fan, but I respected their decision not to try to replace Bonzo. It wouldn't have been the same, and they seemed to realize that.