The night Led Zeppelin’s bassist, John Paul Jones, appeared on stage with Etta James

Music aficionados enjoy an odd union. It’s always a treat to witness two revered musicians share the stage. Not only is it a pleasant surprise, but it might also yield some intriguing findings. Consider the occasion when John Paul Jones was invited to perform alongside Etta James. While Led Zeppelin clearly drew inspiration from black soul music, they modified it sufficiently to make it their own. Jones’ inspirations were revealed when he performed beside a true soul icon, such as James.

Watch: The Night Led Zeppelin’s Bassist, John Paul Jones, Ended Up On Stage With Etta James.

This unusual collaboration between James and Jones occurred at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1975. According to the tale, Jones was asked to step in after James’ lineup was changed at the last minute. According to James’ guitarist, Brian Ray, teaching Jones how to perform the set was quite an experience for the band’s younger members.

“After the show we went backstage to hang and I was looking for the Zep guys because as a young lad on my first trip to Europe with Etta James at the 1975 Montreux Jazz Festival,” Ray laughed. “John Paul Jones was scheduled to play bass for Etta during the festival. I, a small 19-year-old kid with blond hair halfway down my back, was the bandleader, teaching Zep’s bassist Etta’s tunes.”

Etta James’s Montreux Performance

At the risk of seeming like a nostalgia buff, they no longer produce artists like James. In a culture preoccupied with exact choreography and immaculate identities, James was a guttural artist. While the glitzy concert style we’ve grown accustomed to has its advantages, watching a performance like the one below is depressing.

In the video below, James and Jones play “I’d Rather Go Blind.” She abandons the studio recording and opts for something significantly more impromptu. James has the vocal delivery of a monologist. She informs the audience about her lost love. Despite the fact that we’ve heard this song numerous times, it still feels new.

Though the bass isn’t the most noticeable instrument on stage (for the majority of us), Jones’ contribution to James’ performance is not overlooked. The texture of “I’d Rather Go Blind” has changed. The notes are identical, yet a brilliant player like Jones cannot help but stand out.