Taking a closer look at Zep's "discreet" member

Be honest.  When you think of Led Zeppelin, how much more often do you think of the more flamboyant ways of vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, and the monster style of drummer John Bonham before bass/mandolin/keyboard player John Paul Jones even comes to your mind?

John Paul Jones  (Photo credit:  Wikipedia)

But when you think of Led Zeppelin, where would they have been without JPJ giving his powerful bass style to tunes like "Ramble On" and "The Lemon Song," or "Immigrant Song."  On a song like "Black Dog," it wouldn't have been the same without Jones helping out with the changing time signatures.

On keys, he gave the band extra flavor on "The Rain Song," "Trampled Under Foot," and "No Quarter."

It could be said that Jones was the most versatile member of Led Zeppelin, and only a few might argue with that.  It began with tons of session work that led up to his role in Zeppelin, and even after the band broke apart following Bonham's death in 1980, it seems he's been busier than ever composing, playing seemingly any instrument he can get his hands on, doing production work, and appearing with artists from the Foo Fighters to Diamanda Galas, Them Crooked Vultures to Seasick Steve ... the list is long.

He just seems to do it all so ... discreetly.  Just like he did "back in the day" when Led Zeppelin ruled the rock world.

Never underestimate the man.