Sammy Hagar is taking his "Best of All Worlds" show to Las Vegas next year, and he's not bringing Jason Bonham with him. When the Red Rocker announced the 2025 residency earlier this week, he revealed that his backing band would consist of guitarist Joe Satriani, bassist Michael Anthony and drummer Kenny Aronoff.

Jason, whose father is Led Zeppelin's late drummer Scott Bonham, first addressed the split when answering a fan question on social media, simply writing: "Sammy has decided to carry on with Kenny" (Aronoff subbed in for Jason on the "Best of All Worlds" tour over the summer when he took personal time to care for his mother, who suffered a stroke).

With Aronoff behind the kit, Hagar reunited the last Chickenfoot touring lineup. They've also been seen recording in the studio together. In a new interview, Bonham opened up about being "let go" and divulged that Hagar broke the news to him shortly after the tour ended.

"I was trying to answer fans, really, because they were asking me, 'Why aren't you involved with the new thing they're recording?' and saying, 'Aren't you gonna do it again?' 'I was let go, so, no,'" Bonham explained. "Sammy rang me awhile ago. He was asking about my mom, but then he said, 'Y'know, I’m not gonna do much next year,' blah, blah blah, 'and I'm gonna go with Kenny.' I was a little shocked, I must say. I'd be lying to you if I wasn't a little sad, because we were on fire at the end of the tour. And I got a little upset. That was strange, after 10 years of being with him."

That being said, there's no bad blood between the two musicians. "Listen, I love the guy to bits. I don't wish him any ill. I still speak to him," Bonham clarified. "Honestly, the guy has taught me so much – about business, being positive. I'm an English guy; I can be really negative half the time. Even if the sun is shining, 'but it could rain.' He really helped me in that aspect big-time, and business sense and never taking no for an answer, always believing in yourself."

"So, yeah, I had a great 10 years," he concluded. "He allowed me to always do what I wanted to do. When my thing would get busy he always gave me the space. I couldn't ask for more."

Eric Johnson

with original band members Tommy Taylor & Kyle Brock

Saturday, February 2, 2019

House of Blues