Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, has long envisioned a tribute that would bring his father back to the stage in a groundbreaking way: as a hologram. In 2013, he shared his dream of performing a drum duet with a digital version of his dad during his tribute band’s shows….

Jason Bonham Dreams of Hologram Duet With His Legendary Father, John Bonham

In the world of rock and roll, few drummers have reached the legendary status of John Bonham, the thunderous force behind Led Zeppelin’s groundbreaking sound. More than four decades after his untimely passing in 1980, Bonham’s legacy continues to shake the foundations of music. And no one feels that legacy more deeply than his son, Jason Bonham, who has spent much of his career honoring his father’s indelible influence.

Jason, a respected drummer in his own right, has long led Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, a tribute band that captures the spirit and intensity of Zeppelin’s music. But in 2013, he revealed a dream that pushed the boundaries of tribute and technology: to perform a live drum duet with his late father—through the use of a hologram.

Inspired by the growing use of holographic performances, such as the widely publicized Tupac Shakur hologram at Coachella in 2012, Jason saw an opportunity to create something that had never been done before in classic rock. “My dream,” he shared in an interview, “is to one day do a drum solo with Dad. Just him and me, trading fills. It would be emotional, powerful—and something the fans would never forget.”

The idea of a holographic John Bonham sharing the stage with his son is both ambitious and deeply personal. For Jason, it’s not just about technology or spectacle; it’s about connection. Losing his father at the age of 14 left a void that he’s spent much of his life trying to fill—not just as a musician, but as a son seeking to keep his father’s spirit alive.

The technical challenges of such an endeavor are significant. Creating a believable hologram requires extensive video and audio footage, as well as sophisticated digital modeling. While there is archival footage of John Bonham performing with Led Zeppelin, converting that into an interactive, high-definition hologram would require meticulous work and collaboration from a team of engineers, artists, and the surviving members of the band—if they chose to be involved.

Still, the idea has resonated with fans and sparked discussion about the role of technology in keeping musical legacies alive. Would seeing a hologram of John Bonham diminish the authenticity of a live performance, or would it be a powerful tribute that brings generations together?

Jason Bonham believes in the latter. To him, the hologram wouldn’t replace his father—it would honor him. “It’s not about recreating the past,” he explained. “It’s about celebrating it in a way that bridges time, memory, and music.”

While the hologram duet has yet to materialize, the concept remains alive in Jason’s heart—and in the imagination of Led Zeppelin fans around the world. Whether it ever takes the stage or not, the idea symbolizes something greater: the enduring bond between a father and son, forged in rhythm, love, and the timeless echo of rock and roll.