Billy Joel Performs Led Zeppelin Classic With Jason Bonham On New Year’s – Watch
via Billy Joel / YouTube
New Year’s Eve 2024 saw incredible performances across the U.S., from Jelly Roll to Alanis Morissette, but one standout moment came from Billy Joel. The “Piano Man” took the stage at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, performing a mix of his classic hits and lesser-known gems. The highlight of the night? Joel brought drummer Jason Bonham onstage for a thunderous rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.”
“It’s Not a Piano Song”: Billy Joel Welcomes Jason Bonham
Jason Bonham, the son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, has carved out a legacy of his own. Starting his drumming journey at just five years old, Bonham has performed with Led Zeppelin’s surviving members and leads his own tribute band, Led Zeppelin Evening. For Joel’s New Year’s Eve concert, Bonham’s band served as the opening act before the drummer joined Joel’s set for an unforgettable collaboration.
About halfway through the night, Joel paused to introduce Bonham, saying, “All right, we’re going to bring a guest onstage and do this next song. We have fun playing this, especially with this guy. Please welcome Jason Bonham.” The crowd roared as Bonham appeared, and Joel teased, “You all know this song. It’s not a piano song.”
Together, they tore through Led Zeppelin’s 1969 hit “Whole Lotta Love,” a track that achieved gold certification and remains a rock anthem.
Relive the electrifying New Year’s Eve moment in the video below:
Jason Bonham Honors His Father’s Legacy
Jason Bonham’s appearances with Billy Joel are part of a broader tribute to his father, John Bonham, who passed away in 1980 at just 32. In 2009, Jason launched the Led Zeppelin Experience, later renamed Led Zeppelin Evening, as a heartfelt homage.
“It was meant to be part of my way of expressing my love for music and expressing myself with a tip of the hat to my father,” Bonham said in a 2017 interview. Initially planned as a 28-show run, the project grew thanks to fans’ enthusiasm. “It’s really fan-based,” he explained. “You all knew him as Bonzo; I knew him as Dad.”
