Jason Bonham apologises to Jimmy Page over cocaine comments

Jimmy Page and Jason Bonham (Image credit: Kevin Mazur - Getty)

Jason Bonham has apologised to Jimmy Page after comments he made while a guest on Howard Stern’s SiriusXM show.

The son of late Led Zeppelin great John Bonham recalled an alleged incident involving drugs which was said to have taken place in hotel while the band were on tour when he was 16. He also spoke about a moment backstage involving drugs.

But the drummer has now retracted those comments and issued a personal apology to Page.

In a statement on his website, Bonham says: “On or about 9 April 2019 I, Jason Bonham, gave an interview on radio with Howard Stern. In that interview I made certain untrue and derogatory statements concerning Mr James Page of the legendary band Led Zeppelin.

“I unconditionally retract all derogatory and defamatory comments relating to Mr J Page that I made in that interview. In particular it is wholly untrue that Mr J Page offered me any illegal substances either when I was a minor or at all. 

“I apologise to Mr Page, unreservedly, for making these unfounded and untrue comments about him. 

“Out of my long held respect for Mr Page I will make no further comments on the interview and I agree to make no further comments which Mr Page might view as disparaging, either now or in the future.”

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.