Jason Bonham Says Yes To Airrace Reunion
Following a period of uncertainty, Jason Bonham has committed to the reunion of 1980s UK melodic hard rockers Airrace.
Bonham, son of late Led Zeppelin drummer John, will definitely play with the reconvened band when they support Thunder in Sheffield and Cambridge on July 4 and 5 and is also considering as many of the group’s other commitments as his diary will allow.
For details go here: www.myspace.com/airraceband
However, Bonham is unavailable for Airrace’s spot at the Firefest all-dayer in Nottingham on October 24 on a bill that includes FM, Honeymoon Suite, Crown Of Thorns, White Sister, Romeo’s Daughter and Drive, She Said.
For further Firefest info go to: www.thefirefest.com
It seems likely that Simon Pearce of The Outfield will occupy the drum stool on that day.
Completing the rhythm section in place of bassist Jim Reid is ex-Samson four-stringer Dave Boyce. Dean Howard (T’Pau/Ian Gillan/Toby Jepson) has also been engaged as Airrace’s second guitarist, augmenting original members Keith Murrell (vocals), Laurie Mansworth (guitar) and Toby Sadler (keyboards).
The reunion is partly attributable to the recent Wounded Bird Records re-issue of Airrace’s one and only album, Shaft Of Light, produced by Beau Hill of Ratt/Winger/Warrant fame and first released via Atco in 1984.
However, as Mansworth tells Classic Rock: “It’s starting to look like it could be an ongoing thing and we will work together in the future – there might even be a second album.”
Our photograph shows (l-r): Laurie Mansworth, Keith Murrell and Jason Bonham.
There’s some serious talent in that photo!
Really pleased to see them back together. See you at the gigs!
Rikk
So weird! I just bought Shaft of Light. Love it! Is this a AOR revival I wonder?
Best of luck with the gigs lads. I’ll be there.
Ditto to all the above – always thought you should have been massive!
Fantastic news!! saw them support meatloaf years ago! They’re were excellent! Time to dig out the album i think!
Love Wendy
Cool news, but I wish he’d go back to Foreigner instead.
I do now understand his ‘Arthur Gramm’ joke from a radio interview a couple years ago.
Mark
I thought Jason really gave UFO some impetus and was sorry to see him go.Best of luck to him.
Im so excited to hear the news!! A band like this coming back is exactly what the music scene needs!! I cant wait to get down to the shows!!
Rowan
Airrace play the Cambridge Rock Festival on Sunday 9th of August 09 alongside Asia, Focus, Simon McBride, Karnataka, Touchstone, Breathing Space, Morph, Jeavestone, plus Dave Kilminster & Murray Hockridge. Should be a great day and thats only one stage!
Dave
This is a great news.
I bought SHAFT OF LIGHT way back in 1984 and though Aor is not my cup of tea, I have been a Airrace fan since.
Nice to see them back together.
Cheers from Italy.
Hey have just found out these guys have booked to play 12Bar in Swindon with Jason on drums, last time i saw Jason was at the 02 with Zep roll on 1st August http://www.the12barswindon.com
Really pleased to hear that they are getting back together. Pitty the line-up is not entirely original though. What ever happened to Jim Reid? Why did he not want to get back together? Awesome musician if memory serves me right.
great to see the band are now playing a midlands show @ THE RIVER ROOMS ( rock cafe 2000) in stourbridge on thursday 6th august , nice one guys
I saw these guys play at Twist in Colchester last night and they totally rocked…love them. I want to go to every show.
Love the new guitarist Dean!
Fuk me Laurie good to see ya getting back into playing!
Give me a shout.
Its Chris Mans… from Essex and Barbican! big ugly bloke from the shakespear!. lots of times together!
Email is ukbrightonbloke@hotmail.com
Be nice to chat again!
Chris
Just found out Jason Bonham has pulled out of the tour
I USED TO RACE DIRT BIKES BACK IN THE 80 S WITH JASON AT HORSHAM SCHOOLBOY SCRAMBLE CLUB,IF HE REMEMBERS ME ,WOULD LOVE TO GET IN TOUCH,REGARDS PAUL HARDIMAN
i like this album fantastic album shaft of light, i have album lp .vinyl
bag o’shite, should have left it in the 80’s