Bonham

Bonham was a melodic metal outfit founded by Jason Bonham, the son of Led Zeppelin's legendary drummer John Bonham. So it was no surprise to anyone that Bonham's music would incorporate touches of Led Zeppelin's sound into their grandiose brand of rock. Drummer Jason Bonham had recorded with bands such as Airrace and Virginia Wolf before getting some major recognition playing on Jimmy Page's solo album Outrider. After that tour he recruited Canadian Daniel MacMaster (vocals), Ian Hatton (guitar) and John Smithson (bass and keyboards) to form the band that would take his last name as its moniker. The group burst upon the U.S. music scene with their Bob Ezrin produced debut album. It would go gold behind the hit singles "Wait For You" and "Guilty", and reach #38 on the Billboard charts. But a two-year tour promoting the successful album took its toll on the young musicians and tensions began to form. Mad Hatter was a huge commercial disappointment compared to the debut, and the end was near. The nucleus of the group decided to try a new sound and got a new singer, Marti Fredericksen, as well as a new name, Motherland. But Motherland was short-lived, and Jason Bonham decided to pursue a solo career. MacMaster formed a short-lived band called Scorcher before pursuing a solo career - his first solo release even included unreleased Bonham material.

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 16 March 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 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.

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, IN. 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 band's 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.

Since making his studio debut on When You See the Sun with the Jason Bonham Band, vocalist Chas West has recorded with 3 Legged Dogg and Resurrection Kings, both featuring Vinny Appice of Black Sabbath and Dio fame, Tribe of Gypsies, and Tango Down, and is currently fronting his own band, West Bound, whose debut album, Volume I, is slated for an early 2019 release.

West appeared with the new Foreigner, featuring Jason Bonham on drums, at their 25 July 2004 show in Santa Barbara, CA at Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort, a benefit for muscular dystrophy, but was subsequently replaced by Kelly Hansen. West has also worked as a touring vocalist with Lynch Mob, Steve Priest's Sweet, Diamond Head,> and Jake E. Lee's Red Dragon Cartel. He is the vocalist for Los Angeles, CA Led Zeppelin tribute band, The Moby Dicks, who have appeared at the annual Bonzo Bash festivities.

Band members

 * Jason Bonham – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1989–1992, 1994, 1995–1997)
 * John Smithson – bass, keyboards, piano, violin, backing vocals (1989–1992, 1994, 1995–1997)
 * Ian Hatton – guitars, backing vocals (1989–1992, 1994)
 * Paul Rafferty – lead vocals (1989)
 * Daniel MacMaster – lead vocals, keyboards, tambourine (1989–1992; died 2008)
 * Marti Frederiksen – lead vocals, guitar (1994)
 * Tony Catania – guitars, backing vocals (1995–1997)
 * Chas West – lead vocals (1995–1997)

Studio albums

 * The Disregard of Timekeeping (1989)
 * Mad Hatter (1992)