Bonham

Bonham was a British hard rock band founded by drummer Jason Bonham in 1989, the son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham.

History

Commercial success

In 1990, their debut album, The Disregard of Timekeeping, topped the rock airplay charts on the success of the single, "Wait for You", and helped Bonham garner a gold record on January 29, 1990 by the RIAA.

Later years

The band toured extensively for 2 years, but the impact of such early success on its young members caused a great deal of internal friction. After a lengthy tour, Bonham released their second and final album together, Mad Hatter. Jason decided to concentrate on session work and writing new music.

Reunion

In 1994, Jason reunited with Ian Hatton and John Smithson from his former band, this time featuring new lead vocalist Marti Frederiksen. This new lineup was known as Motherland. They released one album titled Peace 4 Me.

Following the abortive Motherland project, drummer Jason Bonham put together the Jason Bonham Band, recruiting lead vocalist Chas West (Charles "Chas" West), guitarist Tony Catania, and bassist/keyboardist John Smithson. Their 1997 album When You See the Sun was produced by ex-Motherland lead vocalist Marti Frederiksen and finds Jason's aunt, Debbie Bonham, providing backing vocals on the track "Turning Back the Time".

Side projects

Bonham appeared in the movies in 2000 as part of the fictitious band Steel Dragon fronted by actor Mark Wahlberg in the film Rock Star (also known as Metal God). His partners in this escapade being Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde.

Bonham joined American act Healing Sixes in 2000. This act had actually supported the Jason Bonham Band in America previously. He would subsequently go on to join the Quireboys and then veteran act UFO, appearing on their 2004 album You Are Here. Meanwhile, West resurfaced in early 2004 hitting the Los Angeles club scene in early 2004 fronting a unit dubbed the Hollywood Allstarz, this act also comprising the Dokken and Dio bassist Jeff Pilson, the former Quiet Riot duo of guitarist Carlos Cavazo and drummer Frankie Banali, as well as former Giuffria/House of Lords drummer Alan Krigger and former Dio and later Rainbow bassist, Jimmy Bain.

With UFO's North American tour postponed until autumn 2004, Jason Bonham filled the summer break by touring the United States as a member of AOR veterans Foreigner. Early 2005 found both Bonham and Chas West touring with Foreigner. In October 2006, West appeared as guest vocalist on a cover version of the Journey song "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin" featured on the Cleopatra Records homage collection '80s Metal Tribute to Journey. West also appeared as guest vocalist on "Custard Pie", featured on the September 2007 tribute to Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, 24/7/365: The Tribute to Led Zeppelin, by Frankie Banali & Friends, released through RSM Records.

Recent events

On March 16, 2008, former lead vocalist Daniel MacMaster died at the age of 39 from a staph infection, more specifically a Group A streptococcal infection.

Band members

Former members

• Jason Bonham – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1989–1992, 1994, 1995–1997)
• John Smithson – bass, keyboards, backing vocals (1989–1992, 1994, 1995–1997)
• Ian Hatton – guitars, backing vocals (1989–1992, 1994)
• Paul Rafferty - lead vocals 1989
• Daniel MacMaster – lead vocals (1989–1992)
• Chas West – lead vocals (1995–1997)
• Tony Catania – guitars, backing vocals (1995–1997)
• Marti Frederiksen – lead vocals (1994)

Session musicians

• Debbie Bonham – backing vocals on When You See the Sun (1997—track "Turning Back the Time")

Discography

Studio albums

• The Disregard of Timekeeping (1989)
• Mad Hatter (1992)
• Peace 4 Me (1994)
• When You See the Sun (1997)

Charts

Albums

Singles