John Bonham’s Prediction On Jason Bonham’s Drumming Skills

Led Zeppelin‘s starstudded lineup consisted of vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. They gained international popularity and commercial success thanks to their hit records with well-crafted sounds and lyrics. The band members became influential figures for the young generation of musicians that wanted to pursue careers like them.

Therefore, there’s no doubt that they proved their extraordinary talent as songwriters and instrumentalists to the whole world of rock music lovers and artists. Since many musicians have their children following their footsteps, it was inevitable to see the drummer’s son as talented and successful as his father years later. If there could be one person guessing his career years before his impressive debut on the rock stage, it was his father, John Bonham.

What Did John Bonham Say About His Son Jason?

John Bonham and Pat Phillips tied the knot in 1965, and the couple had two children, Jason and Zoe, who both became very interested in music. While Zoe decided to be a singer and songwriter, Jason wanted to pursue a prolific career as a drummer like his father. The young musician’s first band was Airrace which he joined at fifteen. Then, he played with Virginia Wolf and released two albums with them.

However, the most significant popularity came with his projects with Sammy Hagar and The Circle, Black Country Communion, UFO, Foreigner, and Bonham. In addition to them, he played with surviving Led Zeppelin members on several occasions, such as the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert and the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert at the O2 Arena. Jason’s performances drew significant attention from the critics and fans.

Moreover, Jason Bonham had proved his unique talent by appearing in Led Zeppelin’s famous 1976 concert film entitled ‘The Song Remains the Same.’ So, in one of his rare interviews before his death, the host wanted to ask Bonham about his son Jason’s drumming skills to find out which one was better. The legendary drummer responded, saying that his son could be more talented than him soon, proving his confidence in Jason, who replaced his father on several occasions many years after.

Here’s what the host said:

“I noticed your son is a pretty heavy drummer. Are you envious?”

Bonham replied:

“Yes.”

The host asked:

“Is he better than you?”

In Bonham’s words, he stated:

He could be.

Unfortunately, John Bonham passed away because of accidental asphyxiation from vomit on September 25, 1980. The late drummer couldn’t see his son’s success and popularity as a drummer he predicted when Jason was only a teenager. Even though they have their unique styles, Jason Bonham was compared to and will always resemble his father, who remains an icon of his drumming with Led Zeppelin.