John Paul Jones (musician)

John Paul Jones is the stage name of John Baldwin (born January 3, 1946), the bassist and keyboard player for Led Zeppelin until the band's breakup after the death of John Bonham in 1980. A true musical talent, JPJ also plays guitar, mandolin, koto, Lap steel guitars, autoharp, ukulele, mellotron, organ, cello, and the over-dubbed bass recorder heard on Stairway to Heaven.

Early years

Jones was born in Sidcup, Kent. The name John Paul Jones was suggested to him by a friend, Andrew Loog Oldham, after seeing a movie poster with that name on it in France.

Related Topics:
Sidcup - Kent - Andrew Loog Oldham - France

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Jones learned his keyboard skills from his father, Joe Baldwin, who was a pianist and arranger for big bands in the 40's and 50's, notably with the Ambrose Orchestra. His mother was also in the music business which allowed the family to often perform together touring around England. His influences ranged from the blues of Big Bill Broonzy, the jazz of Charles Mingus, to the classical piano of Rachmaninov. Jones was a student at Christ College boarding school in Kent where he formally studied music. At the age of 14, he became choirmaster and organist at a local church and during that year, he also bought his first bass guitar, a Dallas solid body electric followed by a Fender Jazz bass. The fluid playing of Chicago musician Phil Upchurch made him decide to take up the bass guitar. Jones continued to use that Fender bass up until 1975.

Related Topics:
England - Big Bill Broonzy - Charles Mingus - Kent - Bass guitar - Fender - Chicago - Phil Upchurch - 1975

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