No one knew it would be the last time Led Zeppelin played with John Bonham. On July 7, 1980, the band took the stage at Eissporthalle in Berlin, Germany, for what seemed like just another stop on their European tour. Fans packed the venue, expecting a night of electrifying rock, unaware that history was unfolding before them.
The concert was part of a 14-date run supporting In Through the Out Door, their latest studio album. Despite the challenges the band faced, there was no indication that this would be their final moment together. The energy, the music, and Bonham’s powerhouse drumming all felt like business as usual.
Had Bonham lived, Led Zeppelin’s story might have continued differently. Their 1980 tour proved the band still had more to give, making the idea of breaking up unthinkable. But fate had other plans, and this night in Berlin became an unintentional farewell to a legend.
The Tragic End of Led Zeppelin
Bonzo and guitarist Jimmy Page both battled alcohol and drug addictions, struggles that ultimately made Led Zeppelin’s downfall inevitable. The band’s future was already uncertain, but no one expected how quickly things would unravel.
On September 24, 1980, Bonham reportedly consumed 40 measures of vodka during a rehearsal for their upcoming North American tour. Later that night, he went to Page’s house, fell asleep, and never woke up. The next morning, he was found dead—an unthinkable loss for the band.
Just a few months later, on December 4, 1980, Led Zeppelin made it official. They released a statement confirming their breakup, citing Bonham’s passing as the reason. Without him, continuing as a band was simply not an option.
Reunions After Bonham’s Death
Following Bonham’s death, the remaining members of Led Zeppelin—Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and Robert Plant—came together a few times. Their reunions were rare but significant, marked by powerful performances that paid tribute to their late bandmate.
One of their most notable reunions took place at Live Aid in 1985, where they performed a short set to an eager crowd. They also reunited in 1988 for a special 40th-anniversary concert for Atlantic Records.
The most recent reunion occurred on December 10, 2007, in London. This performance was filmed and released as the Celebration Day concert in 2012, bringing the band’s final moments with Bonham to fans worldwide.
Here’s the full audio from Led Zeppelin’s final concert with Bonham, recorded on July 7, 1980, in Berlin: