Jason Bonham has indeed nurtured a powerful and poignant vision: performing a drum duet with a hologram of his legendary father, John Bonham. Here’s a 600‑word story weaving his dream with history, emotion, and the future of live tribute performances:
In 2013, during an interview with *Legendary Rock Interviews*, Jason Bonham—a celebrated drummer in his own right and the son of Led Zeppelin’s iconic percussionist—revealed a deeply personal and ambitious dream: he wanted to bring his father back to the stage as a hologram and play *Moby Dick* side-by-side ([namemanner.com][1], [musicradar.com][2]).
Jason had already been paying tribute to his father through his long-running project, *Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience* (renamed *Led Zeppelin Evening* in 2017) ([reddit.com][3]). Audiences would hear the thunderous drumming of the elder Bonham via archival footage and audio while Jason performed live. However, he yearned for something more immersive—a lifelike holographic presence that could actually stand in the drum kit next to him.
His vision wasn’t merely a high-tech spectacle; it was an emotional reunion. “My dream is to do the hologram drum solo with Dad next to me. That is my goal, my dream,” he said ([musicradar.com][2]). In a 2013 interview, Jason explained: “It’s imperative that I continue putting together the best shows and take it to the next level. I’m talking to people about holograms,” underscoring his passion for evolving the tribute into a richer experience ([musicradar.com][2]).
Technologically, hologram concerts have paved a credible path—think Tupac at Coachella (2012), Roy Orbison, and Ronnie James Dio ([blabbermouth.net][4]). But Jason acknowledged serious hurdles: locating enough high-quality 1970s footage of his father, syncing it precisely, and working out the cost and tech coordination ([antimusic.com][5]). All of which he said “has to be done right … not just for me, but for all the fans and for what my dad meant to music” ([namemanner.com][1]).
Nearly a decade before, Jason had already surprised fans with a version of what this duet would feel like. His tribute concerts included a section during *Moby Dick* where he drummed alongside video projections of John Bonham’s original solo performance ([blabbermouth.net][4]). He described that moment as deeply moving—both for him and for audiences—even as tears occasionally rolled .
Fast forward to 2018, when Jason told *The Eddie Trunk Podcast*, “I’d love to try it and do something in that way – that would be an amazing way to honor him.” ([blabbermouth.net][4]) While expressing admiration of existing artist holograms, he emphasized that his goal was reverent and heartfelt, not commercial .
Yet, as of now, the hologram duet remains an aspiration. Jason continues to tour globally with *Led Zeppelin Evening*, delivering unforgettable performances of Zeppelin classics like *When the Levee Breaks* and emotional highlights like *Moby Dick*, connecting deeply with fans, and keeping his father’s legacy alive ([namemanner.com][1]).
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### Why this idea touches so many faces
* **Emotional resonance**: Beyond technical novelty, the idea is a real father-son reunion—an emotional bridge between the 1950s/’70s and today.
* **Fan connection**: Fans who never saw John Bonham live could experience a semblance of his presence, deepening their connection to his artistry.
* **Legacy with care**: Jason is family, and his vision includes respect, personal history, and authenticity—not empty commercialism.
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### What lies ahead?
1. **Securing rights**: The Bonham estate—and likely Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones—would need to approve any holographic likeness.
2. **Curating footage**: As Jason noted, 1970s footage varies in quality—finding enough usable clips is key.
3. **Tech execution**: Creating a lifelike, responsive hologram that syncs perfectly with live drums demands cutting-edge CGI and projection.
4. **Testing the waters**: The first step may be limited hologram clips during live shows—perhaps on *Moby Dick*—to trial the concept.
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**In summary**, Jason Bonham’s hologram dream remains a moving ambition—blending cutting-edge tech with personal homage. It’s more than nostalgia; it’s a dialogue between generations, live and archival, a son honoring his father’s thunderous legacy. Whether this drum duet becomes reality is uncertain, but the heart behind it is unmistakably true.
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Would you like me to look into any recent updates—or even draft a press-style feature or script exploring this idea further?
[1]: https://www.namemanner.com/2025/05/30/article-based-on-jason-bonhams-vision-of-performing-with-a-hologram-of-his-father-john-bonham/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “article based on Jason Bonham’s vision of performing with a”
[2]: https://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/jason-bonham-working-on-hologram-drum-solo-with-his-dad-580111?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Jason Bonham working on hologram drum solo with his dad | MusicRadar”
[3]: https://www.reddit.com/r/ledzeppelin/comments/18phj6d?utm_source=chatgpt.com “John Bonham teaching his son Jason to drum”
[4]: https://blabbermouth.net/news/jason-bonham-would-love-to-perform-with-hologram-of-his-father?utm_source=chatgpt.com “JASON BONHAM ‘Would Love To’ Perform With Hologram Of His Father – BLABBERMOUTH.NET”
[5]: https://www.antimusic.com/news/13/July/16Jason_Bonham_Plans_Led_Zeppelin_Duet_With_His_Fathers_Hologram.shtml?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Jason Bonham Plans Led Zeppelin Duet With His Father’s Hologram ::Led Zeppelin News ::antiMusic.com”