Jason Bonham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jason Bonham
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Bonham in 2021
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| Born | 15 July 1966 Dudley, England |
| Origin | Liverpool, England |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
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Jason John Bonham (born July 15, 1966) is an English drummer. He is the son of Led Zeppelin's famous drummer, John Bonham. After his father passed away in 1980, Jason has played with the other members of Led Zeppelin many times. One special performance was at the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert in London in 2007. Jason is also a busy musician who plays for many different artists. He led his own band, Bonham, and is part of the supergroups Black Country Communion and Sammy Hagar and the Circle.
Contents
Jason's Musical Journey
Starting Out as a Drummer
Jason Bonham started playing drums very early, at just five years old. He even appeared with his father in the movie The Song Remains the Same, playing on a small drum kit. When he was 15, he joined his first band called Airrace. In 1985, he joined a band called Virginia Wolf. They made two albums and toured the United States.
In 1988, Jason played drums for Jimmy Page, the guitarist from Led Zeppelin, on his album Outrider and its tour. That same year, Jason played with the three living members of Led Zeppelin at a special concert in New York City. This concert celebrated the 40th anniversary of Atlantic Records.
Forming His Own Band
In 1989, Jason was a special guest at the Moscow Music Peace Festival. He played the song "Rock and Roll" with many famous rock stars. That year, he also started his own band, Bonham. Their first album, The Disregard of Timekeeping, had a hit song called "Wait for You." After their second album, Mad Hatter, didn't do as well, the band broke up. Jason then focused on playing drums for other musicians.
On April 28, 1990, Jason married Jan Charteris. At their wedding party, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones (from Led Zeppelin) played some songs with Jason. Jason and Jan have two children, a son named Jager and a daughter named Jaz.
Jason played drums for Paul Rodgers on his album Muddy Water Blues: A Tribute to Muddy Waters. In 1994, he played at Woodstock II with Slash and Paul Rodgers. Jason later started his band again with a new singer and called it Motherland. They released the album Peace 4 Me.
In 1995, Jason and his sister Zoe represented their father when Led Zeppelin was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Jason also created a solo project called In the Name of My Father - The Zepset. This album featured songs by Led Zeppelin, and the money from it went to charity. He followed this with another album called When You See the Sun.
Jason was invited to play drums for the hard rock band UFO. In 2006, he recorded music with Joe Bonamassa.
Movies and TV Shows
Jason Bonham appeared in the 2001 movie Rock Star. He played the drummer A.C. for a made-up band called Steel Dragon. Many other musicians also appeared in the film. Jason also played on the movie's soundtrack.
In May 2006, Jason was on a VH1 reality TV show called Supergroup. He joined other famous musicians like Ted Nugent and Sebastian Bach. They formed a band called Damnocracy. They lived together for twelve days and created music. Jason also played live with the band Foreigner from 2004 to 2008.
Joining Supergroups
In late 2009, Jason joined the supergroup Black Country Communion. This band included guitarist Joe Bonamassa, singer and bassist Glenn Hughes, and keyboard player Derek Sherinian. The band broke up in 2013 but got back together in 2016.
Playing with Led Zeppelin
Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary
On May 14, 1988, Atlantic Records celebrated its 40th anniversary with a long concert. A reunited Led Zeppelin, with Jason playing drums, finished the show.
Wedding Celebration Jam
On April 28, 1990, Jason Bonham got married. At his wedding party, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones joined Jason on stage. They played several Led Zeppelin songs for the guests.
Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert
On September 12, 2007, it was announced that Jason Bonham would play drums for Led Zeppelin at a special reunion concert. This concert happened on December 10, 2007, at London's O2 arena. It was a tribute to Ahmet Ertegun, a music industry legend. Music critics said Jason's performance was "flawless."
Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening
In February 2009, Jason Bonham started a project called Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening. This is a live show that honors his late father's band. In 2010, the show went on its first North American tour and then toured worldwide in 2011.
In December 2012, Jason played drums for a special performance of "Stairway to Heaven" at the Kennedy Center Honors. The singers were Ann and Nancy Wilson from the band Heart. Led Zeppelin members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones were there to watch. People said it was an amazing performance.
In the summer of 2013, Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening toured with the band Heart. This tour, called "The Heartbreaker Tour," celebrated the music of Led Zeppelin.
Later that year, Jason teamed up with Glenn Hughes again to form a new rock band called California Breed. They added guitarist Andrew Watt.
In 2014, Jason joined Sammy Hagar's supergroup Sammy Hagar and the Circle. This band plays Led Zeppelin songs, along with hits from Sammy Hagar's other bands like Van Halen.
Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening has continued to tour a lot. They toured North America in 2015 and 2016, and again in 2021. Jason also joined Kid Rock on his Bad Reputation Tour.
Jason's Drum Gear
Jason Bonham uses DW Drums. For many years, he used a Ludwig Vistalite drum kit, similar to the one his father used.
He uses Paiste cymbals. He also has his own special drumsticks made by Pro-Mark. These sticks are made of maple wood and have the symbol of three interlocking rings, which was used by his father, John Bonham. Jason also uses Remo drum heads and DW drum hardware and pedals.
Discography
- Shaft of Light by Airrace (1984)
- Virginia Wolf by Virginia Wolf (1986)
- Push by Virginia Wolf (1987)
- Outrider by Jimmy Page (1988)
- The Disregard of Timekeeping by Bonham (1989)
- Mad Hatter by Bonham (1992)
- Muddy Water Blues: A Tribute to Muddy Waters by Paul Rodgers (1993)
- Peace for Me by Motherland (1994)
- In the Name of My Father: The Zepset by Jason Bonham Band (1997)
- When You See the Sun by The Jason Bonham Band (1997)
- Born Again Savage by Little Steven (1999)
- Rock Star: Music from the Motion Picture as Steel Dragon (2001)
- Enormosound by Healing Sixes (2002)
- 100% Live by The Quireboys (2002)
- You Are Here by U.F.O. (2004)
- Extended Versions by Foreigner (2005)
- You & Me by Joe Bonamassa (2006)
- No End in Sight: The Very Best of Foreigner by Foreigner (2008)
- Can't Slow Down by Foreigner (2009)
- Black Country Communion by Black Country Communion (2010)
- Black Country Communion 2 by Black Country Communion (2011)
- Celebration Day by Led Zeppelin (2012)
- Afterglow by Black Country Communion (2012)
- California Breed by California Breed (2014)
- At Your Service. by Sammy Hagar and the Circle (2015)
- BCCIV by Black Country Communion (2017)
- Space Between by Sammy Hagar and the Circle (2019)
- Crazy Times by Sammy Hagar and the Circle (2022)
See also
In Spanish: Jason Bonham para niños
