Photo by Michael Ochs/Getty Images

John Paul Jones, the booming force behind Led Zeppelin, turns 76-years-old today. As the bassist of one of the greatest rock bands in the history of music, Jones is quite the legend whose musical contributions extend even further beyond his most recognizable work in Zeppelin.

Prior to Led Zeppelin (and even before the Beatles explosion), 16-year-old Jones joined ’60s instrumental group The Shadows in 1963 who were originally the backing band for Cliff Richards. From then on, he collaborated with many other musicians including Jeff Beck, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, and Donovan (He even played on Donovan’s hits Mellow Yellow, Hurdy Gurdy Man, and Sunshine Superman).

It was finally in 1968 when Jones and Yardbirds’ guitarist Jimmy Page teamed up with vocalist Robert Plant and drummer John Bonham to form the band that would go down in history…Led Zeppelin. Since Zeppelin broke up in 1980 after the death of Bonham, Jones has continued his work in music and endeavored upon a solo career while still also collaborating with other musicians. Jones deserves the upmost celebration of another year on Earth blessing us with incredible music.

Watch John Paul Jones with Led Zeppelin perform Dazed And Confused live in London in 1969 here: