Drumming News
REDDITCH Borough Council has announced the postponement of the much-anticipated immersive tribute event to legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. Originally scheduled for this weekend (3/15-3/17/25), the event was set to take place at Bonham’s bronze statue in the town center.
In a statement, Redditch Borough Council explained, “After careful consideration, the council, along with its partners at ReNew, has decided to postpone the John Bonham event, which was due to start this weekend. We plan to reschedule it sooner rather than later, allowing time for the current works in the town center to be completed.”
The immersive tribute experience, designed by Rediscover North East Worcestershire (ReNEW), Birmingham Music Archive, and Birmingham Open Media, was set to offer visitors a unique way to celebrate Bonham’s life and legacy. The event involved motion capture technology to bring the statue to life, allowing visitors to watch Bonham perform iconic drum sequences from Led Zeppelin hits like “Rock and Roll,” “Good Times, Bad Times,” and “Immigrant Song.”
Councilor Juliet Barker Smith, portfolio holder for leisure and culture, expressed the significance of Bonham’s connection to Redditch, noting the drummer’s influence on iconic musicians like Phil Collins, Stewart Copeland, and Dave Grohl. “John Bonham is revered by some of the greatest drummers across history, and his connection to Redditch is a matter of great pride,” she said.
The immersive experience would have allowed visitors to scan a QR code at the John Bonham Memorial Statue to watch a digital avatar of Bonham perform in real time, bringing his legendary drumming style to life.
The council assures that the event will be rescheduled once the town center works are completed and all stakeholders are able to collaborate to ensure a meaningful experience for residents and visitors.
