Good morning all, 

Paying homage to one of rock music's more under appreciated musicians, John Paul Jones. Best known for his time as Led Zeppelin's bassist, Jones was born John Richard Baldwin on this day, 1946, in Kent, England. The son of musical entertainers, Jones was influenced from an early age, beginning with piano at the age of six. By his teens, he had served as a choirmaster in a local church and began performing in local bands. 

A multi-instrumentalist, Jones became a respected session musician in the early to mid 60's, and worked with such artists as the Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, Donovan, Jeff Beck, and Rod Stewart, to name a few. During the latter portion of this period, he often crossed paths with Jimmy Page, and became interested in any potential projects the guitarist would undertake post-Yardbirds. Baldwin changed his name to John Paul Jones, and he and Page soon invited vocalist Robert Plant and drummer John Bonham aboard. By 1968 the New Yardbirds were born, and after an initial tour of Scandinavia, the band changed their name to Led Zeppelin. 

In addition to supplying bass lines to the rhythm section of the group, Jones also contributed significant keyboard work to a number of songs in the Zeppelin catalog. His talents played a large role in the diversity the band showed over their 12 year existence. 

After the passing of Bonham, and the subsequent end of Led Zeppelin, Jones returned to session work and various other collabortive projects. Of note - Jones has recently performed with Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) in the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures, and enjoys arranging and live guest performing to this day. 

Happy Birthday to a true rock legend. 

Two for the road, Jones and the electric keyboard..."No Quarter":

With two other guys...Them Crooked Vultures: