Since his father John Bonham’s tragic passing in 1980, Jason Bonham has kept his legacy alive—not by resting in nostalgia, but by sharing it onstage. As the driving force behind *Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening*, he has woven together classic Zeppelin tracks, personal stories, and archival footage into an emotionally charged live experience ([theaquarian.com][1]). Yet even this tribute has felt like only the beginning for him.
In July 2013, Jason revealed a bold artistic ambition: to perform a drum solo with a hologram of his late father. “It’s imperative that I continue putting together the best shows and take it to the next level,” he told *NME*. “I’m talking to people about holograms, and my dream is to do the hologram drum solo with my dad next to me” ([reddit.com][2], [nme.com][3]). This vision was more than a technological gimmick—it was a deeply personal conversation with his dad, transcending time and grief.
Jason’s tribute shows already incorporate video-based duets. In performances of “Moby Dick”—John Bonham’s signature solo piece—Jason plays live while archival footage and isolated drum tracks of his father are projected behind him ([blabbermouth.net][4]). Fans and critics alike have said it’s a powerful highlight: *“a bit of a sad thing, I got some tears in my eyes, but that’s it for the sad part of the show”* ([theaquarian.com][1]). And it’s not just Jason reflecting that emotion: audiences are moved, too—one review noted that “the energy in the room shifted. This wasn’t just a concert; it felt like a family reunion” ([streaksportnews.com][5]).
But Jason wants to take it further. A hologram would allow for a lifelike presence of his dad on stage, not just a video backdrop. It would need full-motion capture, advanced CGI, carefully curated footage from the ’70s, and the blessing—and involvement—of the surviving Zeppelin members ([namemanner.com][6]). There are challenges: sourcing enough high-quality archival footage, getting the era’s analog footage up to holographic standards, mastering the audio sync, and managing the project’s logistical and ethical weight ([antimusic.com][7]).
But Jason’s goal is clear: not exploitation, but connection. “It has to be done right,” he said. “Not just for me, but for all the fans and for what my dad meant to music” ([namemanner.com][6]). The idea is to create a moment where father and son share the stage once more—John Bonham “shaking the stage once more,” brought to life via cutting-edge projection and sound, immersed in reverence rather than spectacle ([namemanner.com][6]).
Online fans share that sentiment. One in *r/bonnaroo* anticipated, “John Bonham Hologram sunrise drum solo set calling it now”—the crowd responded, “Hell fuggin’ yeah man… This needs to happen.” ([reddit.com][8]) Another on *r/ledzeppelin* reflected on the emotional power of Jason’s live homages, urging: *“Get Jason to do Moby Dick for a true channeling of his father.”* ([reddit.com][9])
As of today, the holographic duet remains a dream in development. Jason continues to tour worldwide, sharing Zeppelin’s music and his father’s spirit through both performance and storytelling. Whether or not the hologram ever takes physical form, the true legacy already resonates—through heartbreak, inspiration, and the undeniable power of a son reaching out to his dad with every beat of the drum.
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**Conclusion**
Jason Bonham’s hologram project is more than a technological novelty—it’s a loving tribute to his father, a bridge connecting generations, and a testament to how music and memory can echo across time. As innovation marches forward, perhaps one day we’ll hear the thunderous double-kick duet of father and son rocking the stage side by side.
[1]: https://www.theaquarian.com/2010/11/03/interview-with-jason-bonham-tribute-is-communion/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Interview with Jason Bonham: Tribute Is Communion – The Aquarian”
[2]: https://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/hyte33?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Heart and Jason Bonham playing Stairway with Led Zepplin in the audience. (Kennedy Center Honors)”
[3]: https://www.nme.com/news/music/led-zeppelin-80-1256710?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham to appear as hologram in son’s tribute band?”
[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.streaksportnews.com/2025/04/20/jason-bonham-son-of-legendary-led-zeppelin-drummer-john-bonham-took-the-stage-not-to-show-off-but-to-honor-with-each-strike-of-the-drum-jason-channeled-not-only-technical-brilliance-but/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Jason Bonham, son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, took the stage not to show off — but to honor. With each strike of the drum, Jason channeled not only technical brilliance, but a lifetime of memory, loss, and love for his father. As footage of John Bonham played in the background, the energy in the room shifted. This wasn’t just a tribute — it was a conversation between generations. A son speaking to his father in the only language they’ve always shared.”
[6]: 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”
[7]: 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”
[8]: https://www.reddit.com/r/bonnaroo/comments/1hia2q7?utm_source=chatgpt.com “John Bonham hologram”
[9]: https://www.reddit.com/r/ledzeppelin/comments/1en4rb7?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Jason Bonham channeling his dad”