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Elvis Back For A Gig?

September 06, 2008 | Book
Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham is more popular than The King Of Rock 'N' Roll, Elvis Presley. At least in the afterlife he is, according to fans who responded to to a recent poll question, "Which dead rock star you would bring back to life for one gig?" Bonham was voted into first place with 26 percent of the votes. Queens Freddie Mercury came second with 22 percent and Elvis Presley third with 10 percent of the votes.

John Bonham died at age 32 in 1980 after a heavy drinking session. On the verge of a massive North American Led Zeppelin tour, Bonzo was found dead at guitarist Jimmy Page's house of what was described as "asphyxiation, after inhaling his own own vomit after excessive vodka consumption." (Forty shots in four hours, to be precise.)

The results of the poll are as follows:

1. John Bonham
2. Freddie Mercury
3. Elvis Presley
4. John Lennon
5. Jimi Hendrix
6. Kurt Cobain
7. Bob Marley
8. Jim Morrison
9. Johnny Cash
10. Jeff Buckley
11. Stevie Ray Vaughan
12. "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott
13. Frank Zappa
14. Ian Curtis
15. Janis Joplin
16. Bon Scott
17. Jerry Garcia
18. Phil Lynott
19. Karen Carpenter
20. Keith Moon
Source:Google
Jerome returns wrote on September 06, 2008
what no Garry Glitter?..
Jesse Garon Presley wrote on September 06, 2008
a pure nonsense poll, doesn't mean anything. Elvis will always be first..
Harvey Alexander wrote on September 06, 2008
Do you think anyone will try to bring back Celine Dion from the dead?
FLASHBOY wrote on September 07, 2008
John Bonham? who the hell is he? i never heard that name before!
John4126 wrote on September 07, 2008
Jesse Garon Presley - Only ever means something when Elvis is in the pole position hey! As for claiming you dont know someone - that shows how ignorant and narrow minded some Elvis fans can be - like the idiot on here who had no idea who Kurt Cobain was!
Raleighroadace wrote on September 07, 2008
It all depends who the poll is aimed at,what age group etc and via what outlet.I am surprised at the no 1 choice,although being a drummer myself I really like Bonham.He was no Ronnie Tutt though.Most Elvis fans are older than Freddie Mercury fans that's probably why Elvis came lower in the poll.I would have thought John Lennon would have been higher though,being from that well known band.My own choice would obviously be Elvis no1 followed by Rick Danko from The Band.I often wish Elvis had appeared on The Last Waltz.That would have been something.He would have completed an already amazing line up.
Steve V wrote on September 07, 2008
I feel I know a lot about music & musicians, but I must admit I have no idea who numbers 12, 14, 16, & 18 are. Are these world reknown musicians or strictly known in the U.K.? As for JB being number 1, strange indeed especially when Keith Moon is number 20. I guess Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin are strictly for old fogies like me.
Natha wrote on September 08, 2008
Yes Steve V, we are getting old! For John4126, it is interesting though that all around the world people know who Elvis Presley is - even in remote places and they may or may not be into his type of music. Obviously the poll was very directed, as quite a number of the artists on this list is reflecting the musical taste of the interviewed. No problem with that as it shows how high the regard amongst even these people is for Elvis!
Mark S. wrote on September 08, 2008
Steve, shame on you :-) Darrell Abbott was the guitarist of Pantera. Ian Curtis was the singer/guitarist of Joy Division. Bon Scott was the first lead singer of AC/DC. Phil Lynott was the lead singer/bass guitar player of Thin Lizzy. Those aren’t small-time bands. I’m thinking Bonham got a lot of media attention lately with the Led Zeppelin reunion. That might explain him being on top of this list. But who cares? It’s not like we CAN bring these people back from the dead…
EspenK wrote on September 08, 2008
Natha, I agree. I'm surprised that Elvis came this high considering the content of the rest of this list. Very nice to read.
samcra wrote on September 08, 2008
Just go to any city in any country and ask people on the street; "Have you ever heard of Elvis Presley"? --- Then ask "have you ever heard of John Bonham"? I think we all know the answer to that one. ...Nuff said!
Steve V wrote on September 09, 2008
Mark S - thanks for the update but I m afraid I still never heard of Pantera & Joy Division!
kev11467 wrote on September 16, 2008
<yawn> who cares......
Bill Rauhuff wrote on October 12, 2008
What about Rick Nelson, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, Harry Chapin they are a hundred better singers than Freddy Mercury