John Bonham Died In “The Old Mill House” Owned By Jimmy Page

On September 24th, 1980 John Bonham died in an upstairs bedroom at The Old Mill House in Clewer, Windsor that was owned by Led Zeppelin bandmate Jimmy Page.

Here’s a google street view of the house and link…

On 24 September 1980, Bonham was picked up by Led Zeppelin assistant Rex King to attend rehearsals at Bray Studios (below) for an upcoming North American tour, the band’s first since 1977, scheduled to commence on 17 October.

Before arriving at Bray Studios, Bonham had asked to stop for breakfast, where he downed four quadruple vodkas (450 ml), with a ham roll.  After taking a bite of the ham roll he said to his assistant, “Breakfast”.  He then continued to drink heavily when he arrived at the studio.  A halt was called to the rehearsals late in the evening and the band retired to Page’s house—The Old Mill House in Clewer, Windsor.  After midnight, Bonham had fallen asleep and was taken to bed and placed on his side.  At 1:45 pm the next day Benji LeFevre (who had replaced Richard Cole as Led Zeppelin’s tour manager) and John Paul Jones found him dead.  Bonham was just 32.

Here’s some photos of the interior of The Old Mill House…

The cause of death was asphyxiation from vomit, and a verdict of accidental death was returned at an inquest held on 27 October.  An autopsy found no other drugs in Bonham’s body.  Bonham was cremated on 10 October 1980, and his ashes buried at Rushock parish church in Droitwich, Worcestershire England.  The stone reads,: “Cherished memories of a loving husband and father,: John Henry Bonham: Who died Sept. 25th 1980.: He will always be remembered in our hearts,: Goodnight my Love, God Bless.”