John Paul Jones Reflects on Led Zeppelin’s Inner Dynamic: “We Were Workmates, Not Friends”
In a revealing interview, Led Zeppelin bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones offered a rare glimpse into the internal chemistry of one of rock’s most mythic bands. Contrary to the romanticized idea of four best friends changing the world together, Jones explained that the members of Led Zeppelin weren’t particularly close offstage. “We got along fine,” he said candidly. “The thing is, we never socialized. As soon as we left the road, we never saw each other, which I always thought contributed to the longevity and harmony of the band. We weren’t friends.”
That statement may come as a surprise to fans who viewed Led Zeppelin as a tight-knit brotherhood. But Jones emphasized that the band functioned more like a group of highly skilled collaborators—united by music, not personal bonds. “We were more like workmates,” he added. “We weren’t like a group that grew up together and made it big. Led Zeppelin wasn’t manufactured exactly, but it was put together by Jimmy.”
Indeed, the formation of Led Zeppelin was not born from high school friendships or a local scene. Jimmy Page, already a seasoned session guitarist and former member of The Yardbirds, carefully assembled the lineup in 1968. He recruited Robert Plant for vocals and Plant, in turn, recommended John Bonham for drums. John Paul Jones, known in the London studio circuit for his arrangement skills and multi-instrumental talent, reached out to Page independently—and the rest became history.
Differences in personality and lifestyle also shaped their dynamic. Jones and Plant tended to avoid the party-heavy excesses that defined the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle of the 1970s, while Page and Bonham fully embraced it. “They lived like true rockstars,” Jones noted, referring to Page and Bonham’s love for the nightlife. Meanwhile, he and Plant focused more on the music itself and lived relatively grounded lives outside of touring and recording.
Despite these distinctions, the musical chemistry among the four was undeniable. Onstage and in the studio, they connected on a level that transcended personal closeness. Perhaps it was this professional distance that allowed the band to stay focused and avoid some of the interpersonal drama that destroyed other bands of the era.
In the end, Led Zeppelin didn’t need to be a band of best friends. They were a band of visionaries—four singular talents, brought together by fate and ambition, who created somethi
ng immortal.
