Jason Bonham

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Tuesday, November 3, 2009

John Bonham's mother picks up drummer's posthumous award

A Classic Rock magazine panel of judges has voted to honor the late John Bonham with this year's Tommy Vance Inspiration Award.

On hand at London's Park Lane Hotel to receive the posthumous honor last night were the drummer's mother, Joan Bonham, and his sister, Deborah Bonham.

The award was sponsored by Rhino Records.

Other winners in the 2009 Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards include singer Iggy Pop, who was named a "Living Legend"; Ronnie Wood, who received the Outstanding Contribution award; and Ginger Baker, who received the Innovator award.

The presenters and guests in attendance included guitarists Pete Townshend, Jeff Beck, Brian May, Slash, Joe Perry and Billy Gibbons, plus singer Chrissie Hynde. (Update: To add to this, photographer Ross Halfin says Jimmy Page was there, along with Tommy Iommi, Mick Ralphs and Joe Bonamassa in addition to the aforementioned guitarists.)

At the ceremony two years ago, it was Jimmy Page who was named a Living Legend. For that 2007 ceremony, Robert Plant contributed a video tribute to him, which can be seen below.

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About the author

Steve "The Lemon" Sauer is a writer and musician based in Boca Raton, Fla., who has dedicated a portion of his life researching the history of rock group Led Zeppelin and monitoring the ongoing careers of the band's surviving members. Although he was barely a year old when Led Zeppelin broke up and it took him until his teen years to appreciate the music, it didn't take long to make up for it.

Steve is currently a contributing writer and consultant for Get the Led Out, a weekly syndicated radio program hosted by Carol Miller and syndicated in 100 U.S. markets including New York and Los Angeles. He also provides content for a Web site associated with the radio show, www.LedZepOnline.com.

In 2007, Steve launched Lemon Squeezings: Led Zeppelin News to cover the lead-up to the band's reunion concert at the end of that year. Since then, he has closely examined every rumor of a followup tour since then, often dispelling or clarifying misinformation perpetrated by the mainstream media. Using his journalistic training, Steve has also uncovered some facts and accounts previously unreported elsewhere.

At age 18, he began publishing On This Day In Led Zeppelin History, a daily newsletter detailing the interactions of members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham, John Paul Jones, and their manager, Peter Grant. The newsletter is located at www.OnThisDayInLedZeppelinHistory.com.

He enjoys uncovering stories and has employed various methods to communicate those stories to Led Zeppelin's vast fan base, utilizing terrestrial radio and the many facets of the Internet: from Usenet newsgroups to plain e-mail and now Facebook and Twitter. Steve also connects with live audiences when performing as a backup vocalist and keyboard player with various bands, including past onstage appearances with three cover or tribute acts performing the music of Led Zeppelin.

Do you have a news tip to share with Steve? Do you have something you would like him to write about? Would you like to book him for a speaking engagement? He can be contacted by e-mail at Steve at LedZeppelinNews.com.

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