Unseen photo of the most famous stairway in rock history

Unseen photo of the most famous stairway in rock history

The Headley Grange stairway used to record the thunderous drum sound on 'When The Levee Breaks'. While the rest of the band performed in the drawing room, which was converted into a makeshift studio with empty egg cartons stuck on to the walls as acoustic baffles. Bonzo's drumkit was set up at the foot of the stairs.

Microphones were draped from the railings on the floors above to capture the unique ambiance. The often sampled drum intro was created here. The photographer who took the stairs photo said "the stairway is quite extraordinary. It seems to go upwards forever"

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Sound engineer Andy Johns ' the other guys were out having a drink and John Bonham and I were at the house (Headley Grange)..I said to him "I've got an idea" we got his drums and put them in the hallway.

I remember sitting there thinking it sounded utterly amazing, so I ran out to the truck( Rolling Stones mobile studio also brought along) .."Bonzo you gotta come and hear this! " And he came in shouting, " Whoa! that's it "

(This is AndyJohns' version, Page's version differs slightly)

Photo three: Headley Grange, built in 1795 , a manor house in east Hampshire, England. A stone structure, originally a workhouse.

📷Photo by Michael Putland,(Bonzo obviously wearing a mask), Newcastle City Hall, 1st December 1972

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