The Ballad of John Bonham's Coke Roadie
Encyclopedia
The Ballad of John Bonham's Coke Roadie is the name of a single released by TISM
in 1987. It was the first single to be officially released off Great Truckin' Songs of the Renaissance
(1988).
drummer John Bonham
, whose job it is to source out and procure cocaine
for the musician. Throughout the song he continually compares his life to that of an ordinary person whose life is racked with misery and spousal unfaithfulness
, contrasted with that of the roadie, whose only concern is the acquisition of cocaine.
TISM
TISM was a seven piece anonymous alternative rock band from Melbourne, Australia. The group was formed in 1982 and enjoyed a large underground/independent following. Their third album Machiavelli and the Four Seasons reached the Australian national top 10 in 1995...
in 1987. It was the first single to be officially released off Great Truckin' Songs of the Renaissance
Great Truckin' Songs of the Renaissance
Great Truckin' Songs of the Renaissance is the debut album by the Australian band TISM. Originally released on vinyl as a double album, it was later re-issued as a single compact disc...
(1988).
Song
The song deals with the assistant to Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
drummer John Bonham
John Bonham
John Henry Bonham was an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer of Led Zeppelin. Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast right foot, distinctive sound, and "feel" for the groove...
, whose job it is to source out and procure cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
for the musician. Throughout the song he continually compares his life to that of an ordinary person whose life is racked with misery and spousal unfaithfulness
Adultery
Adultery is sexual infidelity to one's spouse, and is a form of extramarital sex. It originally referred only to sex between a woman who was married and a person other than her spouse. Even in cases of separation from one's spouse, an extramarital affair is still considered adultery.Adultery is...
, contrasted with that of the roadie, whose only concern is the acquisition of cocaine.