Legend’s son arrives to rock Christchurch
The blood of rock royalty is coming to Christchurch, expected to recapture the heyday of 70s music.
Jason Bonham, the son of late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, is bringing his Led Zeppelin Experience to the Garden City for the first time.
The Press spoke to Jason Bonham ahead of the gig, at Horncastle Arena, tomorrow.
‘‘For me to come to New Zealand for the first time in my life and play this music, it’s a dream come true,’’ Bonham said. His late great aunt lived in New Zealand and he said he always felt ‘‘tied’’ to the country.
Bonham first performed his Led Zeppelin Experience in 2010, and had since toured North America and various other countries.
‘‘The show is a heartfelt and honest tribute, honouring the love I have for my father but also for the music of Led Zeppelin,’’ Bonham said.
Led Zeppelin formed in 1968 – made up of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham – and sold more than 300 million albums worldwide. They played at Auckland’s Western Springs in 1972, their only Kiwi gig.
John Bonham died in 1980, aged 32. Young Jason Bonham was invited to play with his father’s band mates at the 1988 Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert, and again when they reunited in 2007 for a tribute gig to the late co-founder of Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegun.
‘‘For me, yes there are personal moments [when playing their music]. Even after 38 years I still think about [my father] on a regular basis,’’ Bonham said. ‘‘I’m one of the fortunate ones that got to play with them a few times . . . it was really tough playing with Robert, Jimmy and John Paul, because they were there in the room and had played with my father so many times.’’
Bonham said he tried to channel his dad’s style, but also incorporated his own flair to performances. He was often asked why he did not pursue ‘‘his own thing’’ musically, which he said he did.
‘‘I do have my own projects definitely, this is just one that took on a life of its own,’’ he said. ‘‘For a drummer, if you were just playing in your garage at home you’d want to play to this kind of music, so to take it out and play it on stage, it’s great.’’
Bonham said the show included classic Led Zeppelin hits and home video of him, his father and the rest of the band.
Tickets for the show are still available through Ticketek. 1. Cornelia Frances, aged 77. She played Morag Bellingham. 2. They had long hair, illegal on men at the time, according to local laws. 3. Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. 4. 50 years old. 5. 213 kilometres per hour. Judge: ‘‘Go away and grow up.’’