The rock ‘n’ roll life started to get to Bonham and he turned to alcohol to cope (via Louder Sound). Known for his astounding live drum solos, he began to get panic attacks before performing. Likewise, Bonham began to display unruly and boisterous behavior due to his drinking. In 1977, he was arrested after a show at the Oakland Coliseum in California for assaulting a security guard. This was to be Led Zeppelin’s last U.S. performance (per the Smithsonian Institute). According to Ultimate Classic Rock, the band went back to touring Europe in May 1980 and by September, they had announced a North American tour. With less than a month until the tour began, the band began rehearsals at Page’s home in the south of England.

Bonham had been drinking all day during one of these rehearsals and eventually passed out. Per Loudwire, he was put to bed after midnight. On September 25, 1980, Bonham, aged 32, died. He was discovered unresponsive the next afternoon by John Paul Jones and the band’s road manager. A coroner later found that he had taken 40 shots of vodka in 12 hours. His death was ruled as an accident and it was determined he had choked on his own vomit. As a result of his death, Led Zeppelin broke up. In 2007, the band reunited to play a show at London’s O2 arena with Bonham’s son, Jason, as the drummer.