Jason Bonham: What’s My Relationship With Robert Plant & Jimmy Page These Days

Jason Bonham, the musician son of late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, was recently asked by 97.5 KMOD on what his relationship with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page is these days.

Jason replied:

“It’s kind of like a working one, really. Jimmy was the one that hired me, first for the solo album he did, which was [1988’s] ‘Outrider’. He took me on the road with him, which was crazy.

“I was 22 years old. That was a big responsibility – that young and out on the road with him. Before that, I’d worked with Robert as a kid, come picking me up from school and doing the demos for his solo album.

“Years and years later, all of a sudden, I was driving them around, and we were rehearsing for the O2 [the London arena where Led Zeppelin performed a 2007 reunion concert].

“And to win a Grammy? I’d never won a Grammy. That’s the only thing I can ever say I got more than dad. He didn’t win one.

“It’s one of those things – we don’t speak on a weekly basis, but whenever we do walk into a room and everyone’s there, it’s like we were just talking yesterday.”

“I was really into motocross. I started racing when I was 10 years old and did very, very well. That was my dream, if anything, more than drumming.

“My father passed when I was 14. When I was 15, I had my most successful year [racing]. I lost the British championship by one point, but that was great for me.

“When I turned 17, I had a bike malfunction at a race, and in my head, I went, ‘You know what? I’m done. I’m going to go play drums.’ I still ride my bikes for fun, but that was the turning point

“That’s how it all began for me… I actually rode my dirt bike last week, and I hadn’t ridden for two years. Boy, did I realize I hadn’t ridden for two years.”