In rock music, a drummer’s job is typically one of the most thankless. It takes years of practice to truly master the skill of being able to lay down a groove and control the entire song from the inside out. Most people consider the percussionist in any band to be disposable. Robert Plant still thought that only Bonzo could master the drum groove of “When the Levee Breaks.” Even though John Bonham of Led Zeppelin became a genius through sheer force.
However, the song’s fundamental rhythmic structure isn’t all that unique. The last song on Zeppelin’s self-titled album is undoubtedly a powerful work of genius. However, many drummers can begin with that simple shuffle to establish a rhythm before moving on to more challenging songs like Toto’s “Rosanna.”
However, the feel that goes into it matters more than the technique. The last track’s heavy use of echo, in addition to the need to maintain pace with Bonham’s groove, gives the impression that a monster is stomping across the landscape. Or, better yet, that the town is going to be engulfed in the titular flood waves.
This is a simpler version of what Zeppelin was accustomed to. In their heyday, Plant took great satisfaction in leading a group capable of exploring diverse musical horizons. He recalled, “My daughter’s boyfriend started telling me that part of ‘Black Dog‘ was a mistake because there’s a bar of 5/4 in the middle of some 4/4.” My curiosity was piqued at that point. So, I took out the record, pressed it on, and uttered, “Listen, you little runt, that’s no mistake.” That is our area of expertise.
It’s sometimes preferable to let the song play you rather than vice versa. Bonham could have easily played something intricate, like he had been doing throughout the record, like “Four Sticks.” In contrast to the Memphis Minnie original, Bonham plays this song like a man possessed. It is almost as if he’s attempting to depict how he’s embracing the rhythm and slamming into every moment that Page enters with those guitar stabs.
Plant believed that this was one of Bonzo’s greatest accomplishments despite all of the amazing drum songs he had played. He stated, “‘When the Levee Breaks,’ was a giant step.” Many people have attempted, but only John Bonham could have invented that sex groove. Some of the greatest musicians of the modern era didn’t even try to match that sleazy energy. Though some undoubtedly tried.
“When the Levee Breaks” has been a staple of sampling in the hip-hop community and beyond since the early days of record scratching. Indeed, this may be one of the most sampled drum breaks since James Brown’s “Funky Drummer” days. We can hear this on a variety of songs, including Beastie Boys’ “Rhymin” and Beyoncé’s “Don’t Hurt Yourself” featuring Jack White.
Or perhaps all of the artists are just playing it safe with their constant sampling. Because nobody can replicate the magic that Bonham created naturally. Not even if you bring in one of the greatest session players alive to develop that kind of groove.
