As their band name suggests, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening focuses their live show exclusively on the Led Zeppelin catalog. But they made a one-time-only exception Saturday when Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony joined them near the end of their set at the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa, California for “Runnin’ With the Devil.” “We have never done anything like this in the 16 years of doing this show,” Jason Bonham told the crowd, before Michael Anthony took over the mic. Jimmy said yeah, let’s do it.
So let’s do it.” The “Mr. Jimmy” in question is James Dylan, who has sang lead in the group (formerly known as Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience) since the tribute group was formed in 2010. Dylan took on David Lee Roth’s original lead vocal parts, but he let Anthony sing the hook, just like he did on the original recording in 1978 and countless subsequent live shows.
This wasn’t the first time Bonham and Anthony shared a stage or played these two particular songs. For many years, they both were members of Sammy Hagar and the Circle alongside guitarist Vic Johnson. And in 2024, they both toured with Hagar and guitarist Joe Satriani on the Best of All Worlds tour, where Hagar played a set centered largely around the Van Halen catalog, including many songs he hadn’t done in the 20 years since the last reunion tour fizzled out.
Midway through the tour, Bonham had to leave to tend to his ailing mother. Veteran drummer Kenny Aronoff saved the tour by learning the entire set with little more than a day’s notice. But when Bonham was ready to return, Hagar stuck with Aronoff.
I’d be lying to you if I wasn’t a little sad, because we were on fire at the end of the tour,” Bonham said in 2024. That was strange, after 10 years of being with him…Listen, I love the guy to bits. I don’t wish him any ill.” In a 2025 interview with Rolling Stone, Hagar acknowledged that Bonham was “a little disappointed,” but explained that it came down to scheduling.
He can’t be here for rehearsals, can’t be there for the residence. He could have got back the day of the residence. We got to make more time for this band.” Trending Stories Shelley Fabares, Star of ‘The Donna Reed Show’ and ‘Coach,’ Dead at 82 Reggie Watts: Festivals Remove Comedian, ‘Comedy Bang!
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