John Paul Jones (born John Baldwin on 3 January 1946) is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and record producer. Best known as the bassist, mandolinist, and keyboardist for English rock band Led Zeppelin, Jones has since developed a solo career and has gained even more respect as both a musician and a producer. A versatile musician, Jones also plays guitar, koto, lap steel guitars, autoharp, violin, ukulele, sitar, cello, continuum and the three over-dubbed recorder parts heard on Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven".
According to Allmusic, Jones "has left his mark on rock & roll music history as an innovative musician, arranger, and director." Many notable rock bassists have been influenced by John Paul Jones, including John Deacon, Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, Flea, Gene Simmons, and Krist Novoselic.
Jones is currently part of the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures with Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age/Kyuss/Eagles of Death Metal) and Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters). He plays the bass, piano and other instruments. The supergroup released their first single "New Fang", and their debut, self-titled album on 17 November 2009.