NEXT month sees the 35th anniversary of the untimely and tragic death of Redditch's very own John Bonham, the powerhouse behind Led Zeppelin and arguably the best drummer in the world.

John died on September 25 1980 at the age of 32 at Led Zeppelin's guitarist Jimmy Page’s home near Windsor.

Weeks later the remaining band members announced Led Zeppelin would disband.

A special memorial weekend, organised by The John Bonham Memorial Fund and Steve Barnes of Redditch Music Festival, is set to remember John, just yards from where he was born in Headless Cross.

On Friday, September 25, a candlelight vigil will be held from 8pm in The Rose Garden, Birchfield Road (next to Vintage Trax record shop) where people can gather quietly to pay their respects, and leave tributes to John.

This will be followed the next day by a mini-festival to commemorate John’s short but impactful life with music and words from local musicians, friends and fans.

Free to attend, the event will run from 11am to 5pm.

“35 years on, music fans worldwide still talk about John Bonham and his unique and hard hitting drumming style," Ros Sidaway, from The John Bonham Memorial Fund, which is trying to raise £50,000 for the design and installation of a statue of the drummer.

"We want to ensure he is never forgotten here in Redditch. We invite local people and fans of Led Zeppelin from further afield to join us to remember John and celebrate his life."

For further information or to donate to the fund, visit johnbonhammemorialfund.com.