Tributes have been paid following the death of a retired tailor who made the suit for a legendary Led Zeppelin drummer.
Peter Robinson was not only John Bonham’s tailor, but also a lifelong friend after the pair met at school when they were only 11 years old.
Peter went onto make many of Bonham’s suits including his wedding attire and remained his only tailor even as the drummer’s fame grew.
Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham trying on his suit made by tailor Peter Robinson (Image: Lawrence Robinson)
Born in Redditch to John and Dorothy Robinson, Peter was the youngest of five siblings with four older sisters.
His son Lawrence recalled how his father was “spoilt rotten” by his family and showed early promise as a talented footballer.
At 15, Peter joined the family business which was started by his great grandfather John Edward Robinson in 1885.
The business later moved to Unicorn Hill in Redditch where Peter worked alongside his father, sisters, nephew and niece.
It was there that he met his first wife Joan Philpott, who he married in 1969.
The couple went on to have three children: Lawrence, Nicholas and Verity.
His second daughter, Hayley, was later born following his second marriage to Annette.
Following the end of their relationship Peter enjoyed several years with Jan where they lived in Alcester.
His son Lawrence said that after his father’s retirement, he went into partnership with nephew Chris and moved the business to Mount Pleasant and then onto Alcester High Street in 1986.
Peter continued to work in the family business alongside his son Lawrence and granddaughter Jessica until his dementia diagnosis in 2020.
Peter Robinson has died aged 78 (Image: Lawrence Robinson)
The family said Peter leaves behind an “incredible legacy” that will continue through Lawrence and Jessica.
His love for tailoring was built through “hard work, pride, dedication and continuing a tradition that had been passed down to him from his own father”.
The pinstripe suit Peter made for John Bonham sold at auction in Stourbridge in September 2025.
The piece was originally expected to fetch between £1,000 and £1,500, but went for £6,500.
Son Lawrence Robinson with his team in Alcester (Image: Lawrence Robinson)
At the time, his son Lawrence said: “I was delighted to see the suit up for auction because it reflects dad’s hard work and it’s recognition for him.
“We’d hoped it might stay closer to him, maybe in our shop, but at £6,500 it was just out of reach. It’s a bit of a shame; we’d have loved it for the store.”
Peter will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends, including his four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
His funeral took place on Thursday (August 13) at Redditch Crematorium.
