Carmine Appice recently addressed long-standing rumors about potentially joining Led Zeppelin as their drummer following John Bonham’s death in 1980. He shared his perspective in an interview on the Talk Louder podcast.
The veteran drummer clarified the speculation surrounding whether he was actually considered for the position. He revealed what his response would have been if approached by the legendary rock band.
“It was rumored. It was [rumored that it was going to be either] me or Cozy [Powell; Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath],” Appice said.
He explained his situation at the time and how he would have responded to an actual offer from Led Zeppelin.
“I would’ve [if they asked], but I was [playing] with Rod [Stewart at the time]. It’s not like I was with nobody. We’d just finished doing six nights at the Forum [in Los Angeles],” he continued.
Appice then shared an interesting conversation he had with Rod Stewart about the persistent rumors.
“So, Rod said to me, ‘Are you gonna join Led Zeppelin?’ I said, ‘Not that I know of.’ I said, ‘I know there’s rumors, but I never got a call or nothing.’ He said, ‘Oh, that’s good. Let’s keep [the rumors] going. There’s rumors that I’m gonna retire, so let’s keep it going. We’ll just sell more tickets.’ I said, ‘Okay.’ So that’s what we did. But I was never asked,” Appice revealed.
Appice’s recent clarification puts an end to decades of speculation about his potential involvement with Led Zeppelin during one of rock music’s most significant turning points.
The rumors surrounding potential replacements for John Bonham emerged after the legendary drummer’s tragic death on September 25, 1980. Far Out Magazine reported that Bonham died after choking on his own vomit following a day of heavy drinking. This left the rock world in shock and Led Zeppelin facing an impossible decision.
In December 1980, the remaining members of Led Zeppelin—Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones—made the definitive choice that would end any serious consideration of permanent replacements. Far Out Magazine noted that the band announced they would disband rather than continue with a new drummer. They stated that Bonham’s contribution was irreplaceable.
Despite the band’s ultimate decision to dissolve, various high-profile drummers found their names circulating in connection with possible lineup changes. Far Out Magazine confirmed that Cozy Powell, known for his work with Rainbow and Whitesnake, was among those rumored to be under consideration alongside Appice. However, no formal offers materialized to either drummer.
In his 2024 podcast appearance, Appice emphasized there was “no truth” to the idea that he was formally approached by the band. However, he confirmed his willingness to have taken on the monumental task, stating simply, “I would have done it.” This revelation both debunks the myth of an official offer while underscoring the respect and openness he held toward potentially stepping into one of rock’s most revered positions.
