Rock Action Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 (edited) Jason Bonham? Michael Lee? I thought at the time of the Page/Plant stuff, Lee was a far better drummer. But that was also 9 years ago at the latest. Anyone think that Lee would be the perfect MUSICAL choice (excluding the keeping it in the family thing)? Or do you think Jason has matured and grown, and could blow Lee off the stool? Let's hear it. Edited December 7, 2007 by Rock Action Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*I*LOVE*JIMMY!! Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 I like them both. However I have a loyalty to Jason but I like Lee's style. Not much of an answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHD Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 I know before I even start, the answer is obvious in my sig, but even so, imo Jason has matured incredibly and has begun to believe steadfastly in his own abilities. The O2 was definitely a big turning point for him...from the beginning of rehearsals to the actual night. He had suggested to Robert, Jimmy and JPJ that towards the end of the set a film be played of Bonzo and he would "duet" with him...to give his father the recognition he deserved. But this idea was rejected, Jimmy saying it was Jason's turn to shine and that he had every confidence in him to carry the torch so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hot dog Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 I think it depends if you're talking in general or as the drummer for Led Zeppelin. If it's the latter then I don't think musical ability is the issue and you cannot disregard the family connection. I agree with Miss Honeydripper, Jason was superb at the O2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderguy Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 If Outrider was the only thing to go on, I would say to go with Lee. But when I saw Page/Plant in '98 I kept missing John Bonham. He's a tough act to follow. It sounds like Jason has kicked it up a few notches since Outrider. I would say to go with Jason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zepaholic Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Jason Bonham? Michael Lee? I thought at the time of the Page/Plant stuff, Lee was a far better drummer. But that was also 9 years ago at the latest. Anyone think that Lee would be the perfect MUSICAL choice (excluding the keeping it in the family thing)? Or do you think Jason has matured and grown, and could blow Lee off the stool? Let's hear it. I like both but no way does Jason blow Lee off the stool. Lee is a solid technical drummer but i agree with you that Jason has come a long way in 9 years. Those pre 02 rehearsals alone improved his chops big time. Like them both and would be happy with either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pb Derigable Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Could Jason be better because he had John Paul Jones not Charlie Jones as his bassist. I think there both good, but i can't help thinking WFWBD. What Fill Would Bonzo Do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evster2012 Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Well, it's been nearly 20 years since Outrider. Furthermore, Jason was self-medicating back then. His sobriety and maturity have really let his talent shine. I saw him on the Outrider tour, with Bonham, doing drum clinics, and with UFO. He's a great drummer. So is Michael Lee. So was Steve Gorman of the Black Crowes when Jimmy did his thing with them. They've all brought great things to Zep's music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peppermint Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Jason, without a doubt, after all he takes after the greatest drummer of all time, no need to say anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evster2012 Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Why compare at all? They both have brought the chops to the table. Why not a mutual admiration of all who've taken up the mantle (well, maybe not Phil Collins, but that's another story, innit? lol!)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Well I've said it before and I'll say it again, Michael Lee is a great drummer. The boy took the mantle and made it his own on the Page/Plant tours. Jason sounded good at O2 and has improved in leaps and bounds since Outrider but, IMHO he would have to be far more consistant to be considered a better drummer than Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave2007 Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Well I've said it before and I'll say it again, Michael Lee is a great drummer. The boy took the mantle and made it his own on the Page/Plant tours. Jason sounded good at O2 and has improved in leaps and bounds since Outrider but, IMHO he would have to be far more consistant to be considered a better drummer than Lee I once had a similar discussion with Charlie Jones a couple of years ago.....he told me that the best drummer he had ever worked with was....Clive Deamer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Masson Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Why compare at all? They both have brought the chops to the table. Why not a mutual admiration of all who've taken up the mantle (well, maybe not Phil Collins, but that's another story, innit? lol!)? Agreed! From what I've heard Michael Lee is a spectacular drummer, and I loved his playing with Page and Plant, but Jason at the O2 was just truly great, - certainly no need to replace him if the band goes on to do work together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 I once had a similar discussion with Charlie Jones a couple of years ago.....he told me that the best drummer he had ever worked with was....Clive Deamer. Clive is a great drummer. As Ev said, there have been some excellent drummers take up the mantle. Michael Lee seemed to embrace it more than some others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zepaholic Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 A Clive sample, for those who may not be familiar.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP3HTL3KGfw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zepaholic Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 And one of my all time faves... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzt6PwuQABk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummer Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Jason Bonham ... HANDS DOWN!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock Action Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 I never really did weigh in on my own question, so here goes: Honestly, I still think Lee has the better overall chops. But the distance between the two has narrowed considerably. Jason has gotten much better since 1988, to say the least. If they DO go on as Led Zeppelin, the right thing to do is have Jason on drums. He's proved himself worthy of his place in the band. But if Page/Plant were to start up again as a separate entity though, I'd prefer Lee on drums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLE Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Michael Lee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Jason Bonham definitely became and remains the best choice for any Led Zeppelin activity. I can hear his father's style in his playing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCWU9K6ROtw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pottedplant Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Michael Lee (RIP) for me. I have heard him more than Jason, so I guess I can't make a fair choice. I always loved Michael with Plant/Page. Great drummer. No one can ever meet the standard of the Greatest of all, John Henry Bonham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperStatic Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Thats a tough one for me. The only time I got to see Lee live was at the Page/Plant Tampa show 1998. I thought he was damn good behind the kit, with lots of energy and often sporting a spit eating grin. I also thought Lee's technique was solid over all. Have never seen Jason live, but Ive watched and heard a lot of his drumming on videos including some of the Outrider tour. Back then I thought he had his fathers energy, he could bang the hell out of those drums. But at the same time his technique seemed sloppy here and there. He had the fire for sure, just not the technical chops yet. IMO that has changed big time in more recent years, JB has certainly refined his style and I think is now one of the better drummers out there (he's in demand a lot for sure). 1990's Michael Lee, slight edge over pre 2000's Jason Bonham Post 2000's Jason Bonham gets the edge over Michael Lee But either way I think they both rock. Thankfully we still have Jason out and about perfoming. To bad Michael Lee past away in 08, way to damn young. (RIP) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Duck Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Thats a tough one for me. The only time I got to see Lee live was at the Page/Plant Tampa show 1998. I thought he was damn good behind the kit, with lots of energy and often sporting a spit eating grin. I also thought Lee's technique was solid over all. Have never seen Jason live, but Ive watched and heard a lot of his drumming on videos including some of the Outrider tour. Back then I thought he had his fathers energy, he could bang the hell out of those drums. But at the same time his technique seemed sloppy here and there. He had the fire for sure, just not the technical chops yet. IMO that has changed big time in more recent years, JB has certainly refined his style and I think is now one of the better drummers out there (he's in demand a lot for sure). 1990's Michael Lee, slight edge over pre 2000's Jason Bonham Post 2000's Jason Bonham gets the edge over Michael Lee But either way I think they both rock. Thankfully we still have Jason out and about perfoming. To bad Michael Lee past away in 08, way to damn young. (RIP) I read that Michael Lee died following a seizure at the age of 39. I remember wondering at the time what could have caused such a severe seizure in someone his age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pottedplant Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 I know, DD. I read about that in the Hoskyns book and I cried. I really loved Michael Lee with P/P - always with that smile and really playing those drums. He was so young. There is a picture some where here on the forum of Jimmy at the funeral and he looks so sad. I know that Jimmy and Robert thought a lot of Michael. RIP Michael Lee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geekfreak Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Clive is a great drummer. As Ev said, there have been some excellent drummers take up the mantle. Michael Lee seemed to embrace it more than some others well its JOHN (BONZO) BONHAM. EVERY TIME FOR ME. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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