8 Maniacal Musicians Who Exemplified The Word Rockstar

Led Zeppelin, most famous for their unmistakeable track Stairway To Heaven, are universally regarded as one of the greatest rock bands in the history of the genre and as such, their drummer was no slouch.

In fact, John Bonham was, without hyperbole, one of the most talented drummers to ever pick up a pair of sticks. His swaggering style has inspired and influenced the likes of iconic drummers Dave Grohl, Tommy Lee and Chad Smith, landing him firmly in the debate for greatest drummer of all time; many argue that he has no competition.

Like many unforgettable rock stars, Bonham had a wild streak. A notorious womanizer and heavy drinker, the drummer's most memorable stunt came when he drove a motorcycle through a hotel lobby before performing a sharp about turn and driving straight back through in a chaotic scene. Bonham continued to consume industrial quantities of alcohol, as he and Led Zeppelin dazzled audiences worldwide.

Tragically, Bonham's manic lifestyle caught up with him at the age of just 32, at arguably the peak of Led Zeppelin's popularity. The drummer choked to death on his own vomit after passing out drunk; the coroner allegedly found he had drunk the equivalent of 40 shots of vodka during the post mortem.

The heartbeat of the band, Bonham was irreplaceable. The groundbreaking group dissolved in his honor, highlighting just how impossible replicating their previous stunning quality would be without "Bonzo".

A rock star with indelible skill and character, taken from us far too soon.