Jason Bonham on his childhood

Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, recounts his childhood. This is from UFO's Showtime DVD, which I highly recommend. The DVD contains lots of interviews on the band's history, a full UFO concert, as well as a special studio performance. The original format is letterbox, so this image is squished.

[@Piwork69]

Jason Bonham seems like a very humble, down-to-earth guy.

[@TREBLEBOOSTER65]

Mywork777 Both of them do

[@BigDaddy-vr2ut]

@@TREBLEBOOSTER65 both??

[@EarlsCourt75ProShot]

Bonzo always was a family man, that's why he sometimes went wild on tour because he missed home so much and got down, so he'd drink. I think it's really lovely how he always cared for his children & wife.

[@BubbaZen10]

Your dad dying absolutely crushed me. God bless you both. He would be so proud of you.

[@markmace2113]

Jason is an awesome performer seen him doing Led Zeppelin Experience an now circle they were f...ing very good so much fun was front row just straight no beer no drinking just chilling).....

[@BubbaZen10]

Mark Mace Yes he is. I saw him twice in person myself, back when Wait For You came out he opened for Plant, and he was drumming with Jimmy for Outrider. :)

[@misfit2022]

BubbaZen10 Sadly never seen him live yet but years ago I saw the drummer who would later play with Plant and Page Michael Lee and he was brilliant too with heavy Bonham influences.

[@BubbaZen10]

He was very good. I saw him.

[@misfit2022]

BubbaZen10 You're just rubbing it in now :) I have seen many great drummers live, just not Jason. I have met some great drummers too such as a Mike Bordin and DH Peligro and absolutely lovely chaps.

[@jendel42750]

In the summer of '79, Led Zeppelin performed two concerts at Knebworth Stadium in England. Bonzo called then twelve-year-old Jason up to take over on drums during the sound check before the first show, and walked out to where the center of the audience would soon be so he could "experience" Led Zeppelin for himself. The band, with Jason on drums, ran through a scratch-performance of "Trampled Underfoot," and were stunned by how hard Jason pounded on his father's kit.

[@Oakleaf700]

I was at that gig..1979 second weekend.

[@sherrieteller4779]

Charles Elliott thx so much for sharing this awesome story... Like the saying goes "An apple never falls far from the tree!" :)

[@KarmicOmen]

I absolutely just adore Jason Bonham ... he seems so incredibly cool; just a very nice, down to earth, decent man. The love, respect and admiration Jason has in his heart and soul for his father is so genuine and deep ... very heartwarming. Your dad would be proud of you, Jas ... just as we are.

[@thebeastlacey]

Jason definitely has a calling. It's almost like his father is living through him today. So neat to see.

[@drelvisvalentino2638]

Bullshit, His calling is to the toilet

[@tannerjmatheson]

@@drelvisvalentino2638 jesus wtf is wrong with you

[@reemo6990]

Funny story about Jason and dirt bikes. I saw Jason in the 90's at one of his clinics in the Boston MA area. Somehow I brought up motocross during the clinic (not knowing thatJason also raced). He lit up and just started talking about motocross for what must have seemed forever to others in the room. Finally one guy who was infuriated shouted "Are we here to learn about drumming or to hear you talk about stupid dirt bikes".....Jason stopped talking for a moment looked at him turned back to me and just continued talking about motocross. I laughed (in my head) and he finished his thoughts and got back to the drum clinic. Later we picked up about racing motocross. It was CLEARLY his first love.

[@jamesg7426]

Cool

[@johnsrous1616]

Jason Bonham is a truly great dude and a humble one too like his dad. He's also an incredible drummer. I was quite happy and honored to have been able to see Jason in concert with The Jason Bonham Led Zeppelin Experience. Catch it if he's near your town. Excellent show.

[@noc99]

Jason, your dad has left us with great music and memories too. The Zep will never be bettered. Bonzo forever.

[@xbox360siy]

I used to drink with Jason in the village of cutnall green great lad used to see his mom pat and sister Debbie down at the chequers pub .and listen to his dad rehears of the village hall good old days

[@MrUltraworld]

I got to speak to Jason in the early 90's. He was woken up in the middle of the night to play for Clapton, Jeff Beck, and a who's who of rock stars. He got smart and negotiated days off from school for playing so late for his dad's friends. It worked until his mom found out and put a stop to it. Jason is extremely proud of his dad. He was happy to talk about his dad, no questions were off limits.

[@misfit2022]

John Bonham has become my lifelong obsession. By that I mean drummers fade into my life and fade out but the one constant is John Bonham. Only the other day I was listening to In my time of dying. I don't know what it is about Bonham's playing but once it entered my head it has never left. The annoying thing is I am a punk so not a huge LZ fan but I listen for the drumming. The closest thing I have seen to Bonham was the 2008/9 around that period Bonzo tribute. I first listened to that whilst making food so I had no idea they had cut to John and Jason side by side. That and the LZ Celebration Day video is my favourite of Jason. Best Christmas present that year by far.

[@YummyBaer]

I had the great opportunity to watch Jason on the Sammy Hagar best of all worlds tour this weekend. Let me tell you, he is his Dad in live form. His musicianship and precision playing just BLEW me out of this world! I felt so privileged to witness this and his sound was so thick and powerful. A great fit for Alex Van Halen drumming. Incredible show! Everyone sounded great especially Jason.

[@webber977]

Well you seem to of turned out a balanced and nice guy as well as an amazing drummer he would be very proud no question

[@donanger1968]

I met Jason in 2010. Really nice polite guy.

[@musicalone9689]

John Bonham wanted his son, Jason, to play drums...and he did! I'm so glad!

[@jrjmc9627]

Don't think he wanted him too play it just happened .

[@musicalone9689]

Jr JMc 1:17

[@Bewareofthedog69]

Jason your dad was the best rock drummer ever imho. RIP Bonzo

[@jeffreyalexander7504]

The world loves John and Led Zepplin. Jason is a sweet kid, proud of his Dad...Jason in a good drummer. His daddy was a good drummer and a pioneer. Not much more here actually.

[@sicotshit7068]

I’m glad he has good & normal fun living, when his dad was alive. His dad is still missed by millions of us fans.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

His solo records were great...strong Zep feel. Jason has a blend of Porcaro, Richie Hayward, and Phil Collins.

[@angelaquinonez8346]

Jeff Porcaro Groove I

[@varukerbrains]

got no words, my eyes are full of tears. Im a midlands boy, he was and is my inspiration Bless you Jason, sending you love and happiness.

[@Truly1Tom]

His story is so true about many people who play myself nonetheless. We who learned by watching, doing and learning harder rudiments by asking people who were further along than us, we're pretty much self-taught. I never had the first lesson until I was learning about Bop, Swing, and Jazz. Jason has such seamless transition in his chops and effortless intuitive time it is a pure joy to watch. A true heir to the Led Zeppelin drumming ethos!

[@Blackscorpion1963]

According to the book 'Hammer Of The Gods', John Bonham was ultimately a family man. Dedicated as much and as well as he could and was possible given the fact he was the drummer in the world's greatest rock band at the time. Husband, father. Jason - you are one very level head man. Living in your father's footsteps I can only imagine wouldn't be easy. However as your dad said 'go for whatever spins your wheels' - and you have/did/are. It's so refreshing to learn there are no bad memories whatsoever of your relationship with your father! I wish you all the very best in your amazing life. Rock on!

[@johnhumphries505]

Jason's father - That's what I thought. A little rough on the edges. Powerhouse of a personality. Huge hearted big fun-loving guy

[@sherrieteller4779]

Love you Jason - youre amazing! I also grew up listening to Zeppelin, drag racing (like dad) and had an older brother into motocross so I can relate with a lot of what youre sharing! 👍😘

[@michelle88960]

It's sweet that John managed to separate his 2 lives, as Jason says, "You would never have known he was in the biggest band in the world." That takes some doing. And to look back and say he has no bad memories is a tribute to his dad. I'm sure those words will make his dad happy, if he's looking down on his son.

[@varukerbrains]

I'm a Warwickshire boy and come from the same stock. Massive respect to you Jason. big love to you and yours.

[@meliachild]

his father was a legend and without doubt the greatest rock drummer of all time,he is a legend for carrying on the bonham name with such integrity and the boy was on fire at the 02 arena concert!god bless the bonham clan!

[@rbilleaud]

You know it's funny, but that sounds just like my mom telling me stories of her childhood. She was the child of musicians, and of course nobody super famous like Led Zeppelin or the Beatles, but they were in big bands during the 30s and 40s and played night clubs around New York. And she'd tell me stories that they'd have famous people like Sinatra or Tommy Dorsey and all that would visit - and maybe late at night when normal people would be sleeping. And that was her normal. She said it didn't seem weird or that they lived an unusual life - she figured everyone lived like that.

[@hoss73ford]

I like that era of music too. Your mom's stories would have been quite interesting to hear.

[@wearealloneexceptforthatgu7848]

It's cool to hear you share some of your mom's memories. My late sister-in-law, Mary, who was like a sister to me and whom I miss with all my heart, had a slightly similar upbringing as your mom, because her father was a famous theatrical agent in Manhattan who booked the big stars into the big clubs. She grew up in a penthouse overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge (what a view!) and a big house on Long Island, where it was her normal for her dad's client friends like Sinatra to come to parties and swim in their pool. They also had a big house in Montecito, California, where movie stars were always dropping by. "I honestly thought everybody lived like that," she told me, laughing. She went back and forth to Rome a lot, where her parents were from and she had family, she went to swanky private schools, and lived in the St. Regis Hotel when she first moved out of "home" at 18. She was a wonderful author and wrote articles for a few of the big New York magazines. One of my favorite stories of hers was when she went to a party at Andy Warhol's first Factory. "What was it like?" I asked. "A bunch of drugged-out people, too stoned to talk. They were boring, so I left," she giggled. She was used to a luxurious life, but she married my rock-and-roll musician brother before he became "big," and she didn't have a pretentious or mean bone in her body. She met my brother when she interviewed him after seeing his band play a concert. I enjoyed hearing her stories of a wealthy glamourous life, which she would tell me when I asked her; she never bragged about it, just described it, like Jason Bonham did in this video. I'm really telling it here because this video and your comments made me think of her and miss her.

[@tammieparrishmiller3669]

music3874 Thanks for sharing this bit of Jason with us. It's really nice to hear him talk about his dad. I am one of the many who miss Led Zeppelin still to this day and cannot imagine what it must have been like for Jason and his mother, I believe her name was Pat?

[@s1L3nTCha05]

glad to know that there are kids like us around. I came to know led zeppelin at your age about to years ago and in my eyes they are the greatest band to play music.

[@nick9463]

Good, good you are a good Son and I can feel the love and the memories you have for your awesome Dad and I know that he is so proud of you, carry on and fight the good fight of faith🙏

[@Ratsonic]

I sw him in Tulsa after a Zeppelin concert at the Camelot Hotel prkinglot giving away "hippie" Guatemalin type flowery shirts to the fans. Great guy!

[@condedelaffayet3608]

great father and son drumers!

[@cesaresusa]

"...The fact that yes, my father was in a huge band (ehm... you know, the biggest band of the world, called Led Zeppelin)..." That's an understatement, man!

[@mthomas1973]

Wow, I think it's pretty cool to hear that Bonham was so grounded at home and instilled morals in his child. He was just an average every day guy who was a gifted and talented musician, one of the greatest drummers in the world, still. I wish he was here to see what he means to people. Such a loss

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

Jason, I'm sure that your Dad is so proud of you. You seem so down to earth, humble, and a good person. By the way, you rocked like hell at the Kennedy Arts Center with Heart. What a performance! JohnG

[@Geotubest]

Wow.. credit to his father and mother for bringing up such a grounded guy. He seems super cool.

[@cuerollen]

Thank you for uploading this!

[@crisscreations]

Bonham seemed like an all round awesome guy I would imagine that attracted all kinds of friends as people....much like Ozzy. On top of it he sounds like a fantastic Dad and really makes me proud to be a Dad myself. We all want our children to continue our legacy and much respect needs to be given to Jason for doing just that! Thank you Jason and RIP John...I hope to meet you on the otherside

[@behsgshahaheb4738]

saw this man perform he's dads music live a couple days ago in nc and damn he was great!!

[@loveandpees]

Hats off to Plant for staying in the Midlands. Got a lot of respect for the guy. I met him at a blues jam at a pub in London a few years ago and they wouldn't let him get up on stage to sing 'cause he hadn't put his name down at the door. Wonderful! He was a real gent.

[@StacyCarpenterWV]

Just saw him in Burgettstown Pa. So talented!!

[@MegaDrummerD]

Your Dad was great and it shows in you Jason. Rock on!

[@tammymckeever7828]

Sounds like a great caring family! Love it!

[@mthomas1973]

❤

[@theartist124]

Thanks for posting this!!!! Jason is The Man!

[@diagreen]

when i was 16 i saw the FIRM.Jason's band virginia wolf warmed up.THE FIRM was amazing they had lazers coming out of P.rogers piano and a giant moving mirror over the drummers set so you could see his amazing playing throughout the show.Page used strat .sounded great.I wasn't really down with Bonhams band but his playing was perfect.He obviously had a great teacher but he really sounded different.He sounds like an original.

[@Shalomp]

i totally agree with u and i'm saying this even though im a big zep head. i've come across heaps of talented drummers who make your jaw drop the first minute they pick up their sticks and make it drop 3 inches further when they say they're just getting by as a pub musician. the industry is tough...

[@TheBlackaurora44]

Amen, brother, what You said...and me too...I can clearly remember walking down the street saying to myself, I am going to be a drummer for a rock band just like John Bonham. That was 34 years ago and although I haven't played in a band for some 4 years now, I still have my rig. In fact, I've just restored my old roto toms this week after watching the new Led Zeppelin movie 'Celebration Day'.

[@dawnamallow9925]

Jason, you're so professional on your 1989 videos,...I always wished and thought you would have picked up your sticks with Led Zeppelin...

[@laszlozoltan5021]

nice interview. thx

[@LeonardoMagnelli]

Great video thanks for posting

[@Karlmetalhead]

I've met Robert Plant a couple of times when he's come into the shop that I work in, I have a friend who drinks in the same pub as him when he watches Wolves play and another who knows him through a friend. I can understand why you might think he would have some big rock star attitude but he's just a regular guy and a nice one at that...

[@jimmyvirtue]

we used to drink in a bar in kidderminster years ago when i just about qualified to be served we played pool i was having trouble with my dad and jason told me he was like an orphan and i respected him for that. he was a good pool player too in those billy idol days late 80s. years later i saw his album in a shop but i was lost with no money and well god knows ' keep on rockin in the free world

[@christopherowens6391]

The only man who could replace his father on drums in Led Zeppelin!

[@heidineville8639]

Jason, you're a beautiful man -- you were raised right! :)

[@bobdy9988]

@5ebD You are a good guy. My Dad is died when I was 13. God bless you. You're not the only one friend.

[@STRATCAT101]

UFO'S showtime is one of the greatest dvd's i've ever seen.Jason Bonham joined UFO,and they recorded "YOU ARE HERE" which is one of their finest albums.Also alot of great interviews on the history of the band.It's a double dvd set.On the second disc it's a great live show with Jason Bonham also Vinnie Moore,Phil Mogg,The amazing Pete Way (Pete was also with WAYSTED &FASTWAY)and Paul Raymond.If you have never seen This dvd,GET IT.

[@richardkeirl3363]

I remember Jason coming into my clothes store in kiddiminster,England when he was a teenager in the eighties ,he had very long hair then .

[@johnhenrybonham5630]

I'm so glad to see I raised my son right.

[@zigzig269]

We love you John. Best drummer ever

[@johnbriancatedrilla4028]

@@zigzig269 you to john lennon best guitarist and vocals ever

[@boarhog1979]

I am not surprized at all. John was obviously a family man and has stated he hated touring. I think he drank alot to fill the void and being a bricklayer by trade the drinking was normal.

[@robertpersall98]

My grandfather was a bricklayer and did NOT drink, once he met the woman who would become my grandmother. But I agree with the rest of your statement. Someone once commented to me that I became someone else once onstage. Wilder and such.

[@robertpersall98]

Same problem I see, Mark Duwe! I have a 100 mile commute, once a week. I can assist with pedal but have some good size hills in between and don't want to take four hours for my commute. I guess maybe an electric car is the answer, after I win the lottery! Or, maybe make my own!

[@axcol1]

john bonham tribute by jason bonham at guitar center's drum off 2009....thats one cool tribute

[@Jkbonham00]

my great uncle is john bonham

[@judethedude96]

ok

[@misfit2022]

joshua bonham It would be nice if this was true. I give you the benefit of the doubt.

[@punkerpoo45]

Why do u feel the need to tell everyone that? Obviously your not cuz in this video, and all for that matter, show how HUMBLE and HONEST the Bonhams were... your CLEARLY NOT!!! Take a hike, FUCKER!! Hahaha my uncle, please

[@TruNordics14]

Chris Fitzsimmons he said "great Uncle", you're probably cussing out a 8 year old kid who is proud of his relatives. Sad really.

[@jammin6816]

joshua bonham - awesome!!! Now learn to play those drums!

[@BasVossen]

when the levee breaks, warfield theatre SF, you moved me.

[@StewartNicolasBILLYCONNOLLY]

Jason came to the planet to play drums - he could also do other things! But I honestly think John's greatest achievement was letting his boy have his drum stool with Zeppelin! - as a drummer I can not imagine anything more loving or better! I would have cut off my head to play drums with Zep!

[@derekbodenshot510]

He's a small chap 5"7';But DAMN! He can sure play the drums!

[@toddlavigne6441]

derek bodenshot He's a good drummer..lot's of jealous dicks talking shit about Jason, because they are failuresin life.

[@jaime57473]

Todd Lavigne He IS a very good drummer, but hes kind of riding on his fathers fame all the time... how is he relevant on HIS own? nothing wrong with making a living but not doing HIS own thing kinda makes him a failure in some small way.

[@toddlavigne6441]

Jaime Gianola not his fault his dad was John Bonham...but I get your point...he has played with Foreigner, but anything tied to Zep you really count count. He has had an unfair advantage over other drummers, so true

[@Tecumseh-vv1li]

+Jaime Gianola hes in one of the best rock bands IN the world and has been in UFO Foreigner PaulRodgers, Slash wtf u don't get gigs like that because people like your name

[@208stroker1]

Being as i seen his father play in 1972 as a kid and was in ore of John Bonhams drumming and for him to say he hung up his helmet to continue the family name , well Jason has my utmost repect ..I became a drummer soon as i seen Zeppelin play in Melbourne Australia and have been for 30 plus years..John Henry Bonham is the greatest rock and roll drummer there ever was, yes ull get the different opinions thats normal, but being a drummer myself and watching him, he could do it all..ask anyone.!!

[@RadioStarSF2]

A true legend just like his father.

[@Honmatres]

I totally agree. What an awesome down to earth dude

[@docholliday6635]

Blessed be to you and your legacy. My father was a professional musician, I have the bug. But never could measure up. God did you right mate.

[@tejastiger61]

You can tell ..... This man parents loved him and raised him well... you can tell ......

[@Xcorgi]

Wow, I never knew the bit about John throwing George Harrison from the second story into a swimming pool. Thanks for posting!

[@magosagatzu]

Bonham JH Il Miglior batterista di TUTTI I Tempi ..... e 'Lui Che ha LASCIATO UNA traccia indelebile su TUTTI I batteristi che SONO Venuti DOPO .. non e' mai uno Stato Secondo Nessuno .....

[@drummer4u47]

Hi Jason. i meet you a long time ago at guitar center in san diego. i am so sorry i placed you behind your father as you have come to your own. please forgive me as i had idolized your father. i tried to model myself as he was a mentor to me. i know you remembered that you guys blew the fuses and our drum off was over but thanks again for the honer to meet you. God bless you and your family

[@videocircus]

I have been hearing his drumming for years. While he drums often in a different style than his dad, when he chooses to... he drums SPOT ON to his dad's style. There is a youtube video where he is actually playing along to his dad who is projected on a large screen and it is bang on identical.

[@jailbreak852]

He didn't mention "Train kept a rolling". John was unparalleled, but it's nice that he loves his memory so much. It's kind of funny, because Bonham was such a normal guy despite his fame,

[@45ounce]

God bless Jason, Zoe, Pat and John.

[@MarkBanks77]

"We used to go on vacation with the Beatles, didn't you do that!?" 😂

[@peggypenny1]

HEY GARRY ITS JASON..........JA JA........YA MAN HOWS IT GOIN ya from the time I garry hixon was one years old i was plopped onto a motorcycle my dad would put me in front of him and id hang on to the handlebars.....that went on till i was about 7 years old....it was an amazing memory going really fast on a motorcycle at such a young age

[@sheafan1971]

Great Interview Awesome Drummer

[@alencore]

one lucky dude being a son to one of the greatest drummer in rock.

[@aalbaglii]

awersome interview

[@FutureKubrick]

Great guys! Both of them!

[@aaadogman]

god bless ya mate your dad was a god! good to see you on the sticks

[@208stroker1]

Thats great to hear my brother, i just bought me a new Tama kit the other day as my pearl kit was stolen out of my garage while i was at work..

[@danmaltby3271]

this is the beat interview, Bonham was a regular guy, basically a Dad

[@whatsthefrequencyanon9678]

Beautiful.

[@LannyBenny]

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only 40 year old get older!

[@SC_musicfan]

"The man that threw George Harrison from a second story balcony into a swimming pool" .........LMAO.

[@light106year6]

Met him , great bloke

[@lpodruchny]

I think Jason is a great guy in general and a great drummer. Wish I could see him live!!

[@spirithawk2418]

Your Dad is my drum hero !

[@greaterJAY]

Jason is such a cool person, thanks for "keeping it real" J-Man... thankyou.

[@dawnamallow9925]

STARS are just real PEOPLE!

[@davet1517]

Glad you stayed w drums..... kinda hard to play if you broke an arm and a leg. Lot's to live up to being he is your dad. I love both of your works, as for today's music I pray the young bring back actual physical instruments. Watching fbe react on youtube ROCK IS NOT DEAD just in 2nd place!!!!!!!!!

[@NigelFortune]

Great description by Jason of just how much of a split personality Bonzo had..

[@boarhog1979]

+Nigel Fortune why would you say that? He was in a rock band and a family man when he got home. Far from a split personality. just because he partied on the road and there is no evidence that he fucked around on his wife.

[@NigelFortune]

+Boar Hog I meant in terms of him being a Gemini. Not in clinical terms of a split personality. And of course he was totally faithful to his wife as far as i know. i was just trying to highlight the difference between being on the road and a normal family life.

[@clintondesveaux751]

Love him to bits

[@rhinomechanics8423]

Kids of the Famous. No Work involved. The Road is Paved.. Just follow it

[@firstmusic00]

Jason has to live under the wing of his father legacy. But he's a great drummer in his own right. Classy gut as well.

[@johnnycanada]

Jason seems like a nice man. Best of luck to him.