Years active 1989–1997 | ||
 | ||
Past members Jason BonhamJohn SmithsonIan HattonPaul RaffertyDaniel MacMasterMarti FrederiksenTony CataniaChas West Members Jason Bonham, Chaz West, Marti Frederiksen, Ian Hatton, John Smithson | ||
Bonham was a British band founded in 1989 by drummer Jason Bonham, the son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. The band's most successful line-up included singer Daniel MacMaster, bassist/keyboardist John Smithson and guitarist Ian Hatton.
Contents
History
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 from the RIAA in 1990. The band toured extensively for two 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 Bonham then decided to concentrate on session work and writing new music.
In 1994, Jason Bonham 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, Jason put together the Jason Bonham Band, recruiting lead vocalist Chas West, guitarist Tony Catania, and Smithson on bass and keyboards. Their 1997 album When You See the Sun was produced by ex-Motherland lead vocalist Marti Frederiksen and features backing vocals by Jason's aunt Debbie Bonham on the track "Turning Back the Time". It was preceded by In the Name of My Father - The Zepset - Live from Electric Ladyland, released by the Bonham / West / Catania / Smithson line-up earlier that same year.
On March 16, 2008, former lead vocalist Daniel MacMaster died at the age of 39 from a Group A streptococcal infection.
Original Bonham vocalist Paul Rafferty, together with fellow Brit Sean Manning, former guitarist for Quiet Riot and Hurricane, released the Led Zeppelin influenced The Exiles album in 1996 under the name Sean Manning & Paul Rafferty. He has since retired from music and become a respected painter [1] based in the South of France, California and London. Rafferty guested with guitarist Joe Bonamassa at several stops during the 2009 The Ballad of John Henry tour, including the Nice Jazz Festival, and again the following year on the Black Rock tour, including the show in Zagreb, Croatia.[2]
Post-Bonham bands and 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 project were Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde.
Bonham joined American act Healing Sixes in 2000. Healing Sixes was based in Indianapolis Indiana. Their Manager Rick Hudnall arranged a two week tour for them opening for The Jason Bonham Band. That tour was through the Midwest. Hudnall says "I noticed as the tour went on Jason would spend more and more time in the back of the venues watching and listening to Healing Sixes as opening set. That led to an impromptu jam with the bands Vocalist Doug Henthorn, Guitarist Eric Saylors and Bassist Chaz Winzenread. It went so well that about two songs into it Jason asked to join Healing Sixes. Together they went on to record an album "Enormosound" on Corazong Records It was recorded at The Hit Factory in New York City and produced by the legendary Kevin "Caveman" Shirley (Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden). Album cover art was done by Storm Thorgerson.
Band members
Studio albums
Songs
Wait for YouThe Disregard of Timekeeping · 1989
GuiltyThe Disregard of Timekeeping · 1989
Change of a SeasonMad Hatter · 1992