Jimmy Page wins libel damages for slur

Former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page accepted undisclosed libel damages Tuesday over an article that claimed he caused or contributed to the death of the group's drummer, John Bonham.

Bonham died in 1980 after drinking steadily and then choking on his own vomit.

Ministry magazine had reported last year that Page was more concerned about keeping vomit off his bed than saving Bonham's life and that the guitarist stood over Bonham's body wearing Satanic robes and performing a useless spell.

Publishers Ministry Magazine Ltd. and the magazine's editor, Scott Manson, apologized to Page for the untrue allegations and agreed to pay substantial damages and his legal costs.

Page's attorney, Norman Chapman, said the guitarist was touring in the United States and unavailable for comment. Chapman said the money paid for the damages would be donated to Page's favorite charity, the Action for Brazil's Children Trust.