John Bonham's Gong Sells

07/21/09 2:15pm

by Bianca Marcus (CHARTattack)

A gong is always a good thing to have around. It can be used to enhance impromptu home boxing matches, summon servants and comes in handy when you've run out of these.

The only thing that could possibly add to the appeal of this ancient instrument would be if its previous owner happened to be a deceased rock god. (It would be a little disconcerting, however, if it came with a ham sandwich.)

One anonymous buyer is now the proud owner of John Bonham's famous gong, used on Led Zeppelin classics such as "Whole Lotta Love," "Moby Dick" and "Stairway To Heaven."

The gong was initially consigned by Deborah Bonham, the drummer's sister, and their mother, Joan Bonham, as part of the Bonhams & Butterfields Entertainment Memorabilia auction, but it failed to sell.

The gong was finally purchased by an anonymous buyer on July 6 for $64,000 U.S. (about $71,000 Canadian), only slightly more than half the item's original estimated sale price of $120,000 U.S. (about $133,000 Canadian).

Another Zep fan purchased a 1971 Orange Matamp used onstage by guitarist Jimmy Page between 1971 and 1973 in a May eBay sale. The amp sold for $30,000 U.S. (about $33,000 CDN).

Bonham died Sept. 25, 1980 of pulmonary edema. It was caused after the drummer choked on his own vomit after consuming a ham sandwich and 16 shots of vodka before he went to bed. The legendary drummer was 32 years old.

Check out Bonham banging his gong below: