Jason Bonham, the drummer carrying on the legacy of Led Zeppelin through his Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening project, is embracing change as the band heads into its latest tour.
After 14 years of performing Zeppelin classics, Bonham is introducing a refreshed setlist, including deep cuts and reimagined arrangements, while also celebrating a special milestone: his son, Jager Henry, is opening the show for the first time in the New York area on Dec. 9.
A fresh approach to classic material
Bonham, whose performances are steeped in the history of his late father, legendary drummer John Bonham, has made deliberate efforts to mix up the setlist this year. Songs that hadn’t been performed in more than a decade are making their way back.
“It’s been nice seeing the response when you decide to change things up,” Bonham said. “You can get kind of comfortable doing what you’ve been doing for 14 years, which I never imagined would go beyond one year. But now, songs like “Dazed and Confused,” which we hadn’t done in ages, are back. Last night we played and the song was 24 minutes long!”
These changes extend to how the band opens their shows.
“We start in a completely different way now, which keeps us on our toes,” Bonham said. “Someone told me that our new opener was supposed to kick off Zeppelin’s 1980 tour, the one that never happened. It’s a cool nod to history.”
Jager Henry: A family legacy with a twist
Adding to the excitement, Bonham’s son, Jager Henry, is opening the show with his own band. This marks Jager’s first performance in the New York area and the proud father couldn’t be happier.
“His new music is phenomenal. It’s aggressive, hard, but well done,” Bonham said. “He’s got this incredible stage presence—he’s six-foot-four and usually shirtless—so he grabs attention. I’ve told him, ‘One of these nights, they might not like you,’ but every time, he wins them over.”
Jager’s choice to step out of his father’s and grandfather’s shadows is evident in his approach.
“He decided to be a frontman instead of a drummer and doesn’t even use our last name. He wants people to like his music for what it is, not because of his lineage,” Bonham explained. “I admire that. He’s building something unique, with influences like Linkin Park and Nine Inch Nails and it’s exciting to watch.”
Jimmy Sakurai: A tribute in motion
A standout element of Bonham’s band is guitarist Jimmy Sakurai, known for his uncanny ability to channel Jimmy Page. Sakurai’s dedication to replicating Page’s style and stage presence leaves audiences in awe, though it initially took Bonham some time to adjust.
“At first, I was afraid it was too much,” Bonham admitted. “Even his movements were identical. But I’ve come to see how much fans love it. They want to be taken back in time. They want to look up and feel like it’s the real thing. Who am I to stop that?”
Sakurai’s devotion to Page and the band extends to his wardrobe.
“He used to ask if he could wear the dragon suit,” Bonham said with a laugh. “At first, I said no. But for the last rehearsal, I surprised everyone with dragon suit pajamas. We all wore them and Jimmy was over the moon. It’s moments like these that keep the vibe lighthearted.”
A tour stop steeped in nostalgia
The band’s stop at The Paramount in Huntington holds personal significance for Bonham.
“I spent a lot of time in Huntington when I was working with Jimmy Page,” he shared. “I have a lot of friends here and the Paramount has this great vibe. It’s always special to play in a place with such history.”
Bonham has one lighthearted advice for fans planning to attend: “Go to the bathroom before the show starts. With some of these extended jams, there’s no intermission and you don’t want to miss a moment.”
Keeping the spirit alive
Bonham continues to honor Zeppelin’s legacy with passion and precision, balancing reverence for the originals with the excitement of new energy.
“The key to playing this music is feeling it, vibing with the band, just like they used to,” he said. “That’s when it becomes something magical, something real.”
With a refreshed setlist, a generational handoff through his son, and the dedication of musicians like Sakurai, Bonham’s latest tour promises to bring fans closer to the Zeppelin experience than ever before. Fans can catch Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening at The Paramount in Huntington on Monday, Dec. 9, where the past and future of rock will collide unforgettably.
