Jason Bonham Apologizes To Jimmy Page For ‘Unfounded And Untrue’ Statements

Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

Late Led Zeppelin Drummer’s Son Issues Apology

Jason Bonham has released an official statement regarding comments made about Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page earlier this month, offering a formal apology as well as a retraction of a previous story in which he claimed Page introduced him to cocaine as a teen.

The statement, shared to Bonham’s official website, reads:

“On or about 9 April 2019 I, Jason Bonham, gave an interview on radio with Howard Stern (the Interview). In that interview I made certain untrue and derogatory statements concerning Mr. James Page (aka Jimmy 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 apologize 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.”

Bonham, 52, was speaking with Howard Stern earlier this month when he revealed that “Jimmy was the first one to ever give [cocaine] to me,” reflecting on an incident that occurred he was only 16.

“I was 16 at this point, and there was a woman on the floor with a collar on, meowing, and he had this grinder thing … and he turned it over and he went, ‘Here you go,’ and I went, ‘Thanks.’ He’s like, ‘You’ve done this before, right?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, of course I have.’ So he handed it over and I just did all of it, and he went, ‘Just like your father – you know, that was supposed to be for all of us.’”

He has retracted the story as of this afternoon, offering up a heartfelt apology to Page and calling his statements “unfounded and untrue”. Additionally, Jason has promised to “make no further comments on the interview” or comments “which Mr. Page might view as disparaging,” citing his deep, abiding respect for the 75-year-old guitarist.

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 09: (Exclusive Coverage) Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham attend the premiere of “Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day” at Ziegfeld Theatre on October 9, 2012 in New York City. Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant along with Jason Bonham attend premiere of Celebration Day at Ziegfeld Theatre in New York. Celebration Day captures their 2007 tribute concert for Atlantic Records Founder Ahmet Ertegun at London’s O2 Arena. Film will be released worldwide on October 17, 2012 by Omniverse Vision on 1,500 screens in over 40 territories, it will then be available in multiple video and audio formats on November 19, 2012. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

Wow! Here’s hoping that all is well between Jason and Jimmy and that Jason’s apology is the beginning of smoothing things over with the legend.