The drummer Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin‘s John Bonham, has been a member of Sammy Hagar‘s band since 2014. A few months ago, he had to leave the band’s current tour because his mother was in the hospital fighting for her life.
Sammy Hagar recruited the drummer Kenny Aronoff to finish the tour and he decided to continue with the American drummer. In an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock he talked about this situation.
Jason Bonham is surprised after being fired by Sammy Hagar
“I was trying to answer fans, really, because they were asking me, ‘Why aren’t you involved with the new thing they’re recording?’ and saying, ‘Aren’t you gonna do it again?’ ‘I was let go, so, no.’ Sammy rang me awhile ago. He was asking about my mom, but then he said, ‘Y’know, I’m not gonna do much next year,’ blah, blah blah, ‘and I’m gonna go with Kenny.’ I was a little shocked, I must say. I’d be lying to you if I wasn’t a little sad, because we were on fire at the end of the tour. And I got a little upset. That was strange, after 10 years of being with him.”
“Listen, I love the guy to bits. I don’t wish him any ill. I still speak to him. Honestly, the guy has taught me so much — about business, being positive. I’m an English guy; I can be really negative half the time. Even if the sun is shining, ‘but it could rain.’ He really helped me in that aspect big-time, and business sense and never taking no for an answer, always believing in yourself.”
“So, yeah, I had a great 10 years. He allowed me to always do what I wanted to do. When my thing would get busy he always gave me the space. I couldn’t ask for more,” Jason Bonham said.
Besides Sammy Hagar and Kenny Aronoff, Sammy’s band is currently formed by guitarist Joe Satriani and bassist Michael Anthony.