by Jason Bonham, son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, recently opened up about his struggle to establish his own identity separate from his father’s legacy. He shared his experiences in an interview with MyStateLine.
The drummer reflected on the overwhelming attention he received early in his career and his brief consideration of pursuing motocross instead of music.
“My band was opening up for The Firm. People were just freaking out that I was John’s son,” Bonham said. “People were asking, ‘Can I touch you? Oh, my God.’ I was like, ‘What’s wrong with these people?’”
Bonham also revealed how he contemplated a different path following his father’s death in 1980.
“I rode for two years after my dad’s passing. Maybe I wasn’t mentally ready to do the motocross,” he continued. “It was always in the back of my mind like, ‘What if? What if you had gone musically?’”
However, even in motocross, Bonham found he couldn’t escape comparisons to his famous father.
“In a 1977 motorcycle newspaper, it said, ‘Bonham drums up a storm: Son of Led Zeppelin drummer is an up-and-coming rising star in the motocross world.’ Even then. Even in a different sport, I couldn’t get away from his shadow,” he explained. “It wasn’t until I went, ‘Yeah. That’s my dad. But I’m me.’”
This acceptance marked the turning point that allowed Bonham to forge his own musical path while honoring his father’s legacy.
Since embracing his identity, Bonham has successfully carved out his own niche in the music world. He maintains deep respect for his father’s contributions to rock history.
Wikipedia reported that Jason Bonham created Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening in 2009. This tribute band has toured worldwide, celebrating his father’s music with authenticity and passion. The project represents his mature approach to honoring the Led Zeppelin legacy while establishing his own artistic voice.
The tribute band has gained significant recognition for its comprehensive performances. The Intelligencer noted that the band performed the complete “Physical Graffiti” album live during its 50th anniversary tour. This highlighted Bonham’s dedication to preserving Led Zeppelin’s creative depth and complexity.
Beyond his tribute work, Bonham has established himself as a versatile collaborator in the rock world. Ticket 2 Ride documented that he has worked with prominent artists such as Heart, Sammy Hagar, and Kid Rock. He has also performed alongside surviving Led Zeppelin members at special events and reunions.
These collaborations have helped establish his own reputation within the rock community. They allow him to be recognized for his individual talents rather than solely as John Bonham’s son. His journey from struggling with his father’s shadow to embracing and honoring that legacy while building his own career demonstrates the personal growth he referenced in his recent interview.
