Led Zep legend Bonham's velvet suit up for auction

Drummer John Bonham died in 1980, aged 32, after Zeppelin had dominated the 70s with classics like Kashmir, The Song Remains The Same and Immigrant Song

A "striking" blue velvet suit, leather coat and a shirt worn during filming are among personal items of Led Zeppelin legend John Bonham set to be auctioned.

Each lot will give fans and collectors a "unique opportunity to own a tangible piece of rock history", all worn by Bonham, who is considered by some as the greatest drummer of all time.

The collection, to be sold by Fieldings Auctioneers in Stourbridge, is owned by Allan Weaver, Bonham's brother-in-law, who knew him as a relative and friend, not a "superstar".

The band officially split following the sudden death of Bonham in 1980, aged just 32. The auction, expected to fetch thousands, will take place online on Thursday.

Mr Weaver explained how he knew the drummer through his wife Beryl, one of Bonham's wife Pat's sisters.

He remembered meeting the drummer for the first time and finding out he was in a band and the pair soon struck up a friendship.

He said: "When people at work said, 'What's he like?' I said, 'He's my brother-in-law. we just go down the pub and have a couple of pints and have a good laugh and everything, do things together'."

Mr Weaver added he simply knew him as a normal person, who loved family life.

Allan Weaver said it was "a shame" to see the star's clothes stored away and believes other people would like to see them too

The collection being sold includes a leather coat the drummer gave to Mr Weaver soon after they met, saying: "That will suit you, you can have that."

Mr Weaver said he felt "really proud" wearing the coat but it no longer fits him and he had decided to sell it alongside other clothing.

'Keeping platinum disc'

"People want to see them, I'd rather they go out for people to see rather than just being stored away," he said.

"I've got the memories that people can't take away from me of actually being with John and doing other things, so that's what's special to me."

He added his family would always keep a platinum disc with Bonham's name on that he gave them.

John Bonham bought his suits in Redditch from a family-run tailors, which later moved to Alcester

Rachel Holland, director and memorabilia specialist for Fieldings Auctioneers, said the items for sale were "incredibly rare".

"I am a big Led Zep fan. I started my career working in record shops and now I am here selling these amazing items," she said.

"I couldn't be more excited to sell these items."

She explained Bonham had "legend status", which has only grown since his untimely death.

'Love ignited more and more'

"I mean he really is. Considered probably the greatest drummer of all time," she said.

As time has passed, she said, more generations have discovered the band, which dominated the world of rock throughout the 1970s, with revered classic albums like Led Zeppelin 4, Houses Of The Holy and Physical Graffiti.

"The love of them has just ignited more and more, I think, and the interest is still really there," Ms Holland said.

The lots include three-western-style shirts, including one which features in a photograph of Bonham wearing it, in The Song Remains the Same, the 1976 live concert movie that featured the band at the height of their career.

Rachel Holland, pictured with some of the items, said there was a lot of interest from buyers in Led Zeppelin, with vinyl records among popular items

The blue suit being sold is among items with a label showing the name of the family-run tailors in Redditch, Worcestershire, where Bonham was a regular customer.

Lawrence Robinson, owner of Robinson Bespoke Tailors, said: "Originally my dad made some suits for weddings that [Bonham] couldn't afford before he was famous and he would pay him in instalments."

"And then one day he just turned up in a big fancy sports car and just started ordering lots of suits really. "

Allan Weaver (left) was the brother-in-law and friend of John Bonham

Mr Robinson, who now runs the shop in Alcester, Warwickshire, said the auction was going to be "exciting".

"We do make these things to last," he said.

The lots are expected to sell for thousands of pounds, with interest expected from overseas.

"We shall be watching it on Thursday," he added.

Tailor Lawrence Robinson said his father made suits for the drummer