Drummer Jason Bonham - "As A Huge Fan I Have The Best Seat In The House - That's The Seat My Father Occupied In The Greatest Band In The World, LED ZEPPELIN"
On Monday, November 26, 2007,
FOREIGNER will share the same stage at London's O2 Arena with Atlantic Records label-mates
LED ZEPPELIN for a long-anticipated tribute concert honoring the late Ahmet Ertegun, the visionary founder of Atlantic Records.
As expected and hoped for,
Jason Bonham - son of the late
Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham and Foreigner's drummer - will be joining Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones for the historic benefit concert.
"When Mick Jones invited me to join his band, it was an honour to be asked to play in one of my favorite bands of all time," says Bonham. "I already owned every Foreigner album, so when asked if I knew particular songs, I said, 'Are you kidding? I know all of them!' Mick is a fantastic songwriter, guitarist, and mentor. He also is a great shopping partner!
I must thank Mick for giving me the time off from Foreigner to fulfill a dream that was once thought to be my destiny. Led Zeppelin are to play at the O2 arena in London on the 26th of November for their dear friend Ahmet Ertegun to raise money for his educational foundation. Ahmet was a huge part of Led Zeppelin's and my father's success. Even after my father's death, he never missed my birthday or Christmas. I had the pleasure of meeting Ahmet on sadly too few occasions, one of which was when Led Zeppelin played at Atlantic's 40th anniversary. He was a very special man, and it is a truly great privilege for me to join Robert, Jimmy, and John Paul for this concert. I am sure Ahmet and my father will be watching. I hope to do them proud.
As of this moment, almost 30 million people have tried to log on to the website for this show, but less than twenty thousand will be able to buy a ticket. That's a lot of people looking for seats, and a lot of people who will never get them, which is something that cannot be helped. On the other hand, I have to say as a huge fan that I have the best seat in the house. That's the seat my father occupied in the greatest band in the world, Led Zeppelin."
Proceeds from the concert spectacle -- which will include performances by
PETE TOWNSHEND, BILL WYMAN and
THE RHYTHM KINGS and
PAOLO NUTINI - will go to the Ahmet Ertegun Education Fund which provides students with annual scholarships to universities in the UK, USA and Turkey.
In addition, a music scholarship open to all will be established at Ravensbourne College in the UK.
Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime concert will be available by ballot only with names being chosen at random. To register, go to
www.ahmettribute.com. Tickets will be limited to two successful applicants per household.
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