Jason Bonham

Bands Jason Bonham Band, Foreigner, UFO, Led Zeppelin
Date of Birth July 15, 1966
InfluencesJohn Bonham
Factoid Bonham appeared in the film Rock Star, starring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston
Quote“Jason had every nuance of his father's approach to [Led Zeppelin's] music, it was as though we'd played together for years.” —John Paul Jones, Led Zeppelin bassist

Bio

Descended from rock and roll royalty, Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin basher John Bonham, certainly possessed the DNA that most aspiring drummers would kill to have coursing through their veins. But with the name comes expectation, and it's to Jason's credit that he's been able to carry his father's legacy with pride and consummate skill.

Born on July 15, 1966, in the town of Duddley, West Midlands, England. Bonham first began playing drums at the age of four. By 17 he had joined that band Air Race, followed by the band Virginia Wolf in 1985, and toured the U.S. supporting The Firm, a project put together by former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. Later in 1988, he joined Page for his Outrider album and subsequent tour.

In 1993 Bonham joined rock legends Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, Slash and Paul Rodgers to record the Grammy-nominated album Muddy Water Blues: A Tribute To Muddy Waters. The following year Bonham formed Motherland and released another album, Piece 4 Me. In 1995 Bonham represented his father as Led Zeppelin were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Around the same time Bonham recruited bassist John Smithson, guitarist Tony Catania, and vocalist Chas West to form The Jason Bonham Band.

From 1999–2004 Bonham did short stints with The Healing Sixes, Foriegner, and UFO. In 2006 he starred in the VH1 reality TV show SuperGroup, which had him sharing a house and the stage with Ted Nugent, Evan Seinfeld (Biohazard), Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), and Scott Ian (Anthrax).

Over the course of his career, Bonham has been part of some memorable collaborations, from the Led Zeppelin reunion shows of 1988 (Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary concert) and 2007, to forming his own band, which released an album, The Disregard Of Timekeeping. Bonham, however, never strayed from from his staple of session work.

Jason’s drumming is without question interlaced with his father's influence. His playing strives for the same volume and thunder that characterized John Bonham. While many would crumble under the burden of living up to so large a name, Jason been able to craft a career for himself carrying his father’s legacy into the 21st century, while still remaining his own man.

In 2007 Bonham joined former Zeppelin members for a one-off reunion show in London, England in honor of Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. Fans are eagerly awaiting a reprisal.

—Salman Haqqi