All across the U.S., everyone from Jelly Roll to Alanis Morissette delivered stunning performances to ring in 2024 and welcome 2025. Billy Joel also took the stage before a sold-out crowd at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Playing a mixture of smash hits and deep cuts, the “Piano Man” welcomed Jason Bonham onstage for a rousing rendition of “Whole Lotta Love.”
“It’s Not a Piano Song:” Watch Billy Joel Team Up With Jason Bonham
Son of the legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Jason Bonham began following in his father’s footsteps by age 5. Now 58, he has been known to take the stage with his late dad’s surviving bandmates. Bonham’s band, Led Zeppelin Evening, opened for Billy Joel during his New Year’s Eve set at UBS Arena.
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About halfway through the set, Joel announced, “All right, we’re going to bring a guest onstage and do this next song. We have fun playing this, especially with this guy. Please welcome Jason Bonham.”
As the crowd erupted into cheers, Joel added, “You all know this song. It’s not a piano song.”
Bonham joined Joel’s band onstage to play “Whole Lotta Love,” off Led Zeppelin’s 1969 album Led Zeppelin II. It was the band’s first hit, attaining gold certification.
Wow 😳 Jason Bonham opened for Billy Joel,That must have been Awesome 👏.🎶🎼🎸🥁
— John Carlin (@JohnCar99165050) January 1, 2025
Jason Bonham Pays Tribute to His Father
Jason Bonham has performed alongside Billy Joel on several prior occasions. He formed the Led Zeppelin Experience in 2009 to pay tribute to his late father, who died tragically in 1980 at age 32.
[RELATED: The Reason John Bonham Once “Took a Swing” at Alex Van Halen—According to Bonham’s Son]
“It was meant to be part of my way of expressing my love for music and expressing myself with a tip of the hat to my father,” Jason Bonham said during a 2017 interview with Mixdown. He initially planned for only a 28-show run, but kept going at fans’ request.
“It’s really fan-based,” Jason said. “It’s not us and them; it’s about love for Led Zeppelin, and that’s how it’s grown, as a very honest, natural, fan-based show. You guys all knew him as Bonzo; I knew him as Dad, and there’s a great interaction.”
Featured image by Scott Kirkland/Shutterstock
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