Born: January 3, 1946, in Sidcup, Kent, England

John Paul Jones, born John Baldwin, is best known as the bassist and keyboardist for the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. Jones has had a multifaceted career, contributing significantly to the development of rock music in the late 20th century through his groovy melodic bass playing, keyboard and organ playing and his strong songwriting and compositions.

Jones began his musical journey early, taking up piano at the age of 6 and learning from his father, Joe Bladwin, a pianist and arranger for big bands in the 1940’s and 1950’s, most notably with Ambrose and His Orchestra . His mother was in the music business as well and the family would tour around England performing as a musical comedy act. 

His early influences were mixed and included the blues of Big Bill Broonzy, the jazz of Charles Mingus and the classical piano sounds of Sergei Rachmaninoff. Jones credits Chicago musician Phil Upchurch’s 1961 album “You Can’t Sit Down” as one of the main reasons he picked up the bass. 

Jones began a busy career as a session musician in 1964 with Decca Records and would go on to play on hundreds of records.  His work would quickly expand to include keyboard, organ and piano playing as well as arranging and general studio direction.  Through his studio work Jones would go on to work and record with many acts including The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, Donovan, Cat Stevens, Rod Stewart, Herman’s Hermits and Shirley Bassey to name a few. 

Jones often crossed paths with Jimmy Page during his days as a session musician as Jimmy was also a busy session player.  In 1966, Page joined The Yardbirds and Jones would contribute to their album “Little Games.”  The next year, Jones expressed to Page his interest in being included in any of the projects Page might be planning. That year The Yardbirds would disband and Jones, along with vocalist Robert Plant and drummer John Bonham would join Page as “The New Yardbirds” to close out the bands already booked Scandinavian tour dates.  This band would quickly become known as Led Zeppelin.

In Led Zeppelin, Jones not only played bass guitar but also demonstrated his skill on keyboards and a number of other instruments including mandolin and the recorder.  Jones was a main contributor to the band’s songwriting throughout the band’s tenure. The chemistry between the four members fuelled the band’s success, and Led Zeppelin remains one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history.

Jones’s versatility as a musician was showcased in Led Zeppelin’s diverse catalog, ranging from hard rock anthems like “Whole Lotta Love” to acoustic ballads like “Going to California” to folk songs of celtic influence like “The Battle of Evermore.” He also played a pivotal role in arranging and producing many of the band’s tracks.

Post Led Zeppelin, Jones has continued his musical journey, working on various projects. He has collaborated with many artists, including Lenny Kravitz, Heart, Peter Gabriel, Diamanda Galás, R.E.M., and Them Crooked Vultures a supergroup featuring Jones, Dave Grohl and Queens of the Stone Age frontman and guitarist Josh Homme. He also explored genres beyond rock, such as electronic music and traditional folk.

In addition to his session work and collaborations, Jones established himself as a film composer, contributing scores to movies like “Scream for Help” (1984) and “The Sheltering Sky” (1990).

John Paul Jones’ influence on rock music and his innovative approach to bass and keyboard playing have solidified his place as a legend in the music industry. Whether as a member of Led Zeppelin or through his diverse collaborations and solo work, Jones continues to inspire musicians across generations. His impact on the evolution of rock music remains a testament to his enduring talent and creativity.