Every Wednesday night, music enthusiasts flock to Live Jam for the Get The Led Out Live Radio Show, a celebrated event that delves into the legendary world of Led Zeppelin. This week’s episode is set to be particularly exciting as the show highlights a hot topic that’s been generating buzz in the rock world: a controversial auction listing of a drum kit allegedly once owned and played by John Bonham.
The drum kit in question is listed on GottaHaveRockandRoll, a site known for its high-profile rock memorabilia auctions. The auction estimates the value of this 1970 green sparkle Ludwig kit between $200,000 and $400,000. As of now, there have been no bids, and the auction is set to close on August 25.
The listing is somewhat ambiguous, stating that the kit is “Bonham’s second kit from Ludwig.” However, the description also mentions that this kit was later owned by Jeff Ocheltree, a figure familiar to Led Zeppelin fans. Ocheltree has long claimed to have served as Bonham’s drum technician. This claim has been a point of contention, particularly after Jason Bonham, John Bonham’s son, publicly refuted it in 2020. Jason Bonham clarified via Instagram that Ocheltree’s claims were incorrect, stating that Mick Hinton was his father’s drum tech.
Adding another layer of intrigue, the auction listing for this drum kit references a previous auction of drumsticks allegedly belonging to Bonham, where Ocheltree was also cited as the source of provenance.
Complicating matters further, Ocheltree’s “Trust Your Ears” DVD features a green sparkle Ludwig kit he claims was Bonham’s, but he identifies it as a 1971 model rather than the 1970 model listed in the current auction.
In an effort to clarify these issues, LedZepNews reached out to GottaHaveRockandRoll for more details about the drum kit’s provenance and to offer assistance with our research. The auction house responded with a statement indicating that their attorneys would be in touch, though we have yet to receive further communication.
As fans eagerly await further details, tonight’s Get The Led Out Live Radio Show promises to dive deeper into this debate, providing insights and updates on the unfolding drama surrounding this high-stakes auction. Be sure to tune in for an in-depth discussion and to hear the latest developments on this fascinating topic.