Bonham (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Jason Bonham |
| Defunct | 1997 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom, Canada |
| Products | Studio albums, singles |
Bonham was a hard rock and heavy metal group formed in 1988, featuring British and Canadian members. The band was established by drummer Jason Bonham, the son of the late John Bonham, who was the drummer for Led Zeppelin. The lineup that achieved the most success initially included vocalist Daniel MacMaster, bassist and keyboardist John Smithson, and guitarist Ian Hatton. Between 1989 and 1997, they produced four studio albums.
History
Their first album, The Disregard of Timekeeping, released in 1989, reached the top of rock airplay charts, propelled by the hit single "Wait for You." This success earned them a gold certification from the RIAA in 1990. Following this, the band embarked on an extensive tour; however, their early achievements also sparked internal tensions. Before Jason Bonham shifted his attention towards session work and songwriting, they released their second album, Mad Hatter.
In 1994, Jason reunited with Hatton and Smithson under a new moniker, Motherland, introducing vocalist Marti Frederiksen. They issued a single album titled Peace 4 Me. Subsequently, Jason formed the Jason Bonham Band with singer Chas West, guitarist Tony Catania, and Smithson handling bass and keyboards. Their 1997 release When You See the Sun, produced by Frederiksen, featured backing vocals from Jason’s aunt Debbie Bonham. Earlier that year, this ensemble also released In the Name of My Father - The Zepset - Live from Electric Ladyland.
On 16 March 2008, former lead singer Daniel MacMaster passed away at age 39 due to sepsis caused by a Group A streptococcal infection.
Paul Rafferty, who was the original vocalist for Bonham, later collaborated with Sean Manning (formerly of Quiet Riot and Hurricane) on the Led Zeppelin-inspired album The Exiles in 1996. Rafferty eventually retired from music to pursue painting professionally in France, California, and London. Additionally, he appeared as a guest artist alongside guitarist Joe Bonamassa during tours in 2009 and 2010.
Post-Bonham bands and projects
Bonham appeared in the 2000 movie Rock Star, portraying a member of the fictional band Steel Dragon, alongside bassist Jeff Pilson from Dokken and guitarist Zakk Wylde of Ozzy Osbourne fame.
In 2000, Bonham became involved with Healing Sixes, an American group based in Indianapolis. Their manager Rick Hudnall organized a Midwest tour where Healing Sixes opened for The Jason Bonham Band. During this tour, Bonham jammed with Healing Sixes members and soon joined them to record Enormosound under Corazong Records. The album’s production was handled by Kevin "Caveman" Shirley at The Hit Factory in New York City, with cover artwork created by Storm Thorgerson.
Chas West, who made his debut with the Jason Bonham Band on When You See the Sun, has since recorded with groups such as 3 Legged Dogg and Resurrection Kings—both featuring Vinny Appice—as well as Tribe of Gypsies and Tango Down. He currently leads his own band called West Bound; their debut album Volume I was scheduled for release in early 2019.
West performed alongside the revamped lineup of Foreigner, which included Jason Bonham on drums, during a benefit concert in 2004 but was later replaced by Kelly Hansen. He has also toured as vocalist with bands including Lynch Mob, Steve Priest’s Sweet, Diamond Head, and Jake E. Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel. West fronts The Moby Dicks, a Los Angeles-based Led Zeppelin tribute band that has regularly appeared at annual Bonzo Bash events.
Band members
- Jason Bonham – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1988–1992, 1994, 1995–1997)
- John Smithson – bass, keyboards, piano, violin, backing vocals (1988–1992, 1994, 1995–1997)
- Ian Hatton – guitars, backing vocals (1988–1992, 1994)
- Paul Rafferty – lead vocals (1988–1989)
- Daniel MacMaster – lead vocals, keyboards, tambourine (1988–1992; deceased 2008)
- Marti Frederiksen – lead vocals, guitar (1994)
- Tony Catania – guitars, backing vocals (1995–1997)
- Chas West – lead vocals (1995–1997)
Timeline
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width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Paul Rafferty from:start till:01/05/1988 color:voc bar:Daniel MacMaster from:01/05/1988 till:01/07/1992 color:voc bar:Daniel MacMaster from:01/05/1988 till:01/07/1992 color:key width:3 bar:Marti Frederiksen from:01/01/1994 till:01/07/1994 color:voc bar:Marti Frederiksen from:01/01/1994 till:01/07/1994 color:g width:3 bar:Chas West from:01/07/1995 till:end color:voc bar:Ian Hatton from:start till:01/07/1992 color:g bar:Ian Hatton from:01/01/1994 till:01/07/1994 color:g bar:Tony Catania from:01/07/1995 till:end color:g bar:John Smithson from:start till:01/07/1992 color:b bar:John Smithson from:start till:01/07/1992 color:key width:7 bar:John Smithson from:01/01/1994 till:01/07/1994 color:b bar:John Smithson from:01/01/1994 till:01/07/1994 color:key width:7 bar:John Smithson from:01/07/1995 till:end color:b bar:John Smithson from:01/07/1995 till:end color:key width:7 bar:Jasons Bonham from:start till:01/07/1992 color:dr bar:Jasons Bonham from:01/01/1994 till:01/07/1994 color:dr bar:Jasons Bonham from:01/07/1995 till:end color:dr
color:bv width:3 bar:Ian Hatton from:start till:01/07/1992 bar:Ian Hatton from:01/01/1994 till:01/07/1994 bar:Tony Catania from:01/07/1995 till:end bar:J. Smithson from:start till:01/07/1992 bar:J. Smithson from:01/01/1994 till:01/07/1994 bar:J. Smithson from:01/07/1995 till:end bar:Jasons Bonham from:start till1 /07 /1 /92 bar:Jasons Bonhamfrom :0 /0 /1 to :0 /0 /1
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Studio albums
Bonham
- The Disregard of Timekeeping (1989)
- Mad Hatter (1992)
Motherland
- Peace 4 Me (1994)
The Jason Bonham Band
- In the Name of My Father - The Zepset - Live from Electric Ladyland (1997)
- When You See The Sun (1997)
Singles
| Title | Year | Highest chart rankings | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Main. Rock | |||
| "Wait for You" | 1989 | 55 | 9 | The Disregard of Timekeeping |
| "Guilty" | 1990 | — | 29 | |
| "Change of a Season" | 1992 | — | 32 | Mad Hatter |
External links
- 1988 establishments in the United Kingdom
- British glam metal musical groups
- British hard rock musical groups
- British heavy metal musical groups
- Canadian glam metal musical groups
- Canadian hard rock musical groups
- Canadian heavy metal musical groups
- Musical groups established in 1988
- Musical groups disestablished in 1997