Jason Bonham Reflects On Splitting Up With Sammy Hagar’s Band

Jason Bonham, the talented drummer and son of Led Zeppelin legend John Bonham, recently shared bittersweet news about his career. After a decade of playing with Sammy Hagar’s band, The Circle, Bonham has stepped aside, with drummer Kenny Aronoff now filling his shoes. Despite the unexpected shift, Bonham remains grateful for his time with Hagar and the lessons learned along the way.

The change came after Bonham had to leave last year’s Best of All Worlds tour to care for his mother, who had suffered a stroke. Aronoff stepped in, and Hagar later decided to keep him on board. Bonham explained:

“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… and I’m gonna go with Kenny.’
“I was a little shocked. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little sad…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.”

Focus on Family and Led Zeppelin Evening

While Bonham admits it was tough to leave Hagar’s band, he’s been busy with his own projects—starting with supporting his mother’s recovery. Jason added:

“Mom is absolutely doing amazing, which is more than I could ever possibly imagine – from literally being told ‘Say goodbye now’ to now.
“She is a stubborn, hard-ass woman that suddenly went, ‘I’m OK. I’m gonna be good.’ It’s still gonna take a lot of rehab and a lot of time to get back to what she was, but the real painful part – she beat that. So she’s fighting on. She’s almost back to normal, almost back to not talking to me. So she must be getting better! She’s gonna be around for a lot longer.”

Bonham has also hit the road with his long-running tribute project, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening (LZE). The tour, which began on November 19, will see him perform 18 shows across the U.S. through mid-December. He said:

“It blows my mind that something I started 14 years ago, just wanting to do it once, has become such a meaningful part of my life.”

Fans can look forward to a mix of beloved Led Zeppelin classics and deeper cuts. “We’re pulling out some songs that have never been done or are rarely performed,” Bonham shared, mentioning tracks like “Friends,” “Achilles’ Last Stand,” and “Dazed and Confused.” He’s also eyeing a special full-album presentation of Physical Graffiti for its 50th anniversary next year. He said:

“This is purely a passion project.
“I’ll keep doing it until I can’t play anymore or don’t enjoy it.”

Looking Ahead with Pride

Beyond LZE, Bonham remains active in the music world. His son, Jagr Henry, had a breakthrough this year with the rock hit “Breed.” “I’m so proud of him,” Bonham said. “He’s making great music, and it’s only going to get better.” Jagr is even joining LZE for a few shows, bringing fresh energy to the stage.

Bonham also reflected on his role in helping reunite Foreigner back in 2004, which ultimately led to the band’s enduring success. He shares:

“Back in 2004, I did a charity event in Santa Barbra with [Foreigner founder] Mick Jones and got [current bassist] Jeff Pilson involved and we had one of the original keyboard players and I brought an old singer I’d worked with before. … After it was over I said, ‘Come on, Mick. let’s get the band back together!’ That was the start of it, and they’re still touring 20 years later. My time there was short, but I’m really pleased I had something to do with bringing the band back together, ’cause the music of Foreigner is timeless.”

Jason jokingly shared:

“It was always weird … ’cause my wedding song was ‘Waiting For a Girl Like You.’ That’s when I danced with my wife. To play that on a nightly basis always felt a little weird.”

Despite the ups and downs, Bonham remains focused on what matters most: family, music, and the legacy he’s carrying forward.