NOVEMBER 2010 ISSUE MMUSICMAG.COM Q&A Ross Halfi n Ross Halfi

John Paul Jones, Robert JASON BONHAM Plant, Bonham, Jimmy Page Drumming up a salute to the Led Zeppelin legend—and his family name

WHEN LED ZEPPELIN REUNITED FOR that I could make it more than just going How’d you approach the drum parts? one show in London three years ago, many out and playing the songs. We started I’m trying to play the same beats that my hoped the event would be followed by a negotiating, talking about how I’d like to do dad did, but I’m also trying to recreate his full-fl edged tour—not least of all Jason it. I imagined the show as a personal salute swagger, that feel that you have to have. For Bonham. He had impressively taken over to my dad, with stories behind the music, years I ignored that element of it. I thought the drum seat once occupied by his late and explanations of why I was doing certain it was about the chops, but it’s also about father, John Bonham. But Zeppelin singer songs, making it more of an interactive fi nding the groove. Robert Plant balked, and a plan to continue journey with video and other elements. in some fashion without him fi zzled. So When did you start playing Ludwig, as Bonham elected to carry on the band’s Is that a technical challenge? your dad did? legacy himself with Jason Bonham’s Led Yeah. You can have all the ideas in the I was with DW for 22 years. But I did this Zeppelin Experience, a multimedia tribute world, but then you have to actually put them “The Drums Remain the Same” promotion tour currently barnstorming across North together. For one thing, you’ve got to know for Ludwig in 2005, playing off [the Zeppelin America. We caught up with Bonham the songs backwards and forwards. But song] “The Song Remains the Same.” People in Los Angeles to talk about carrying on when I saw the possibilities of how it could have said to me, “You knew then that you the family business. be, that made me want to do it even more. were going to do [the reunion show], didn’t you?” But I didn’t—and I wouldn’t know for How did this tour come about? How did you pick the songs? another two years. (laughs) It’s sort of ironic. We did the show at the O2, and after that I definitely wanted to represent every So I went back to Ludwig and did a signature I had been playing with [Zeppelin guitarist] album. Of course there were songs I knew kit in 2007, and it’s been pretty cool. Jimmy [Page] and [bass player] John Paul I had to do, like “Kashmir.” It’s like, what [Jones]. But that got put on hiatus for a while, do you not do? Do you ever tire of being asked and I had nothing to do. The people who put questions about your father? on the [Beatles tribute] show “Rain” called Do you have a favorite album? I lost my dad at such an early age—I was and asked if I wanted to do something like If it’s down to one album, Physical Graffi ti 14 years old, and I held him in such high this. I said, “I don’t think I can do that right is phenomenal. I’m also a very big fan of regard. He was my hero. So I have no now.” They said, “Before you say no, would Presence, which is under-appreciated. problem talking about him or following in you come and see the show?” Later when I A lot of people overlook it, but I adore his footsteps. I hold him so dear. was watching the show, I suddenly realized that album. –Chris Neal

‘I’m trying to play the beats that my dad did, but I’m also trying to recreate his swagger.’

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