Skulmoski
Gold Member
I was reading Wikipedia about John Bonham and what Charlie Watts said about him:
John Bonham is the best at being John Bonham and doing what he does. Or did - unfortunately, he's dead. He was the best. There wasn't anyone better than John Bonham at doing that, and thank goodness we've got some records so that you can hear it
I then went to the source interview with Jas Obrecht (circa 1994/95):
Jas Obrecht: Would you suggest a course of study, people he or she should hear?
Charlie Watts: Yeah. I would say learn to read music and listen to people other than John Bonham. Now you've got totally the wrong impression about what I just said - I can see it in your face. [Leans forward and speaks carefully.] John Bonham is the best at being John Bonham and doing what he does. Or did - unfortunately, he's dead. He was the best. There wasn't anyone better than John like that, and thank goodness we've got some records so that you can hear it. But there are a lot of other people.
http://www.cuicoland.bigpondhosting.com/newslets/htmldocs/japdates/2007/20071204.html
In bold, you can see what is missing from Charlie's citation in Wikipedia. It seems that Charlie had a respectful opinion about John and his unique style. However, Charlie suggests that there are "a lot of other people" that we should learn from.
The Wikipedia citation therefore has taken Charlie's comments out of context. Bad Wiki. Bad.
GJS
John Bonham is the best at being John Bonham and doing what he does. Or did - unfortunately, he's dead. He was the best. There wasn't anyone better than John Bonham at doing that, and thank goodness we've got some records so that you can hear it
I then went to the source interview with Jas Obrecht (circa 1994/95):
Jas Obrecht: Would you suggest a course of study, people he or she should hear?
Charlie Watts: Yeah. I would say learn to read music and listen to people other than John Bonham. Now you've got totally the wrong impression about what I just said - I can see it in your face. [Leans forward and speaks carefully.] John Bonham is the best at being John Bonham and doing what he does. Or did - unfortunately, he's dead. He was the best. There wasn't anyone better than John like that, and thank goodness we've got some records so that you can hear it. But there are a lot of other people.
http://www.cuicoland.bigpondhosting.com/newslets/htmldocs/japdates/2007/20071204.html
In bold, you can see what is missing from Charlie's citation in Wikipedia. It seems that Charlie had a respectful opinion about John and his unique style. However, Charlie suggests that there are "a lot of other people" that we should learn from.
The Wikipedia citation therefore has taken Charlie's comments out of context. Bad Wiki. Bad.
GJS