The hottest ticket in rock right now is for the Bonzo Bash NAMM Jamm 2013 - a tribute to legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. A ‘who’s who’ of the greatest rock drummers will perform Led Zeppelin songs with an all-star house band in Anaheim, CA. Drummers from Iron Maiden, Korn, Slayer, Whitesnake, Anthrax, Scorpions, Dream Theater and Alice Cooper will all be there, plus plenty more. Who’s playing what track is a closely-guarded secret!
Michael Devin & Brian Tichy rehearsing Paul Marshall - Natal Drums
The event was set up by drummer Brian Thomas Tichy who was Whitesnake’s drummer until recently and it is now in its fourth year, sponsored by Natal Drums and Marshall Amplification. Bonham inspired Tichy as well as countless other drummers such as Dave Grohl and Chad Smith. The drummers at the Bash will play a special Natal acrylic kit that is a replica of the one John Bonham used to play. The Bash will be a blast for the players as well as the audience says Brian, whose new project is S.U.N. .
Bonzo Bash is a drummer’s playground. There’s plenty of toys and our parents taught us to play well with others! It is a relatively simple concept. When I first thought of this the idea seemed too cool NOT to try. You get a John Bonham replica drum kit (courtesy of Natal Drums,) complete with Paiste gong and timpani, and some black dot Remo drum heads, up front, center stage, and have each drummer perform their favorite Led Zeppelin song with a house band (The Moby Dicks.)
Natal kit for Bonzo Bash Natal Drums
It’s a unique night, seeing how all of these great drummers approach the same drum set and make it their own! And, The Moby Dicks hold their own as a true force to be reckoned with! There is structure, and within the structure there is freedom: freedom, groove, and volume! This combination makes the pace and vibe of the show like a backyard party right next to an annual wildebeest river crossing! John Bonham deserves it! His right foot alone deserves it!! Bonzo Bashes are always the ultimate Bonzo tribute show, and that’s the fact Jack!
Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden is performing and also co-hosting with drum legend Carmine Appice who knew Bonham.
Rehearsals have been going on in LA, and a a few behind-the-scenes pics have been appearing. Bass icon Billy Sheehan will also be playing - we interviewed him a little while back.
Dave Lombardo & Michael Devin rehearsing Paul Marshall - Natal Drums
Latest list of performers (more names tba)
Steven Adler (Guns N’ Roses / Adler)
Seven Antonopoulos (Opiate For The Masses)
Charlie Benante (Anthrax)
Will Calhoun (Living Colour)
Jimmy D’Anda (Bulletboys)
Virgil Donati (Allan Holdsworth/ Seven the Hard Way)
Chris Frazier (Foreigner/ Whitesnake)
Gene Hoglan (Dethklok)
Brandon Kachel (Barbarian Overlords)
James Kottak (Scorpions)
Dave Lombardo (Slayer)
Ray Luzier (Korn)
Khurt Maier (Salty Dog)
Jojo Mayer (Nerve)
Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden)
Jonathan Mover (Joe Satriani/ Aretha Franklin)
Xavier Muriel (Buckcherry)
Rikki Rockett (Poison)
Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction)
Simon Phillips (Toto/ Jeff Beck)
Mike Portnoy (Adrenaline Mob/ Dream Theater)
Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper)
Tommy Stewart (Godsmack / S.U.N.)
Brian Thomas Tichy (Whitesnake/Foreigner/ S.U.N.)
Simon Wright (Dio Disciples / AC/DC /DIO)
Yael (Ugly Kid Joe)
Special Guests
Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake/ Burning Rain), Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme/Rihanna), John “J.D.” Deservio (Black Label Society), Frank Hannon (Tesla), Sass Jordan (S.U.N.), Oni Logan (Lynch Mob), James Lomenzo (The Amazing Race/ Megadeth), Robert Mason (Warrant), Jeff Pilson (Foreigner/ T&N), Jack Russell (Great White),
Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth/ Mr. Big/ Niacin), Derek Sherinian (Black
Country Communion), Keith St. John (Burning Rain)
Co-hosted by: Carmine Appice (drum legend) Uncle Joe Benson (Legendary KLOS DJ)
Tickets for the event at The Observatory, Orange County, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, are available here at $25 in advance.
There’s another special kit, inspired by Brian Tichy and Natal’s Bonzo Bash creation that’s being given away in a Drum! magazine competition too.
Natal Drums