Why Kenny Aronoff Replaced Jason Bonham on Sammy Hagar’s Best of All Worlds Tour
Sammy Hagar has explained the sudden replacement of drummer Jason Bonham with Kenny Aronoff during the Best of All Worlds tour. Bonham had to step down to attend to a family emergency after his mother suffered a stroke, leaving Aronoff to take over with just 24 hours’ notice.
During a recent interview with KSHE 95, Hagar revealed that Bonham initially tried to stay on the tour, but ultimately needed to fly to the UK to be with his mother. Aronoff, known for his previous work with Chickenfoot, filled in and delivered an outstanding performance, much to the delight of Hagar and fans alike.
Sammy Hagar on Jason Bonham’s Family Emergency
Hagar explained the situation behind Jason Bonham’s absence, sharing that the drummer’s mother had suffered a serious stroke. “His mother had a stroke and went into a coma, and it’s serious,” Hagar said. Despite initially trying to stay with the tour, Bonham realized he needed to be with his family in the UK.
“He held out for two or three days,” Hagar said, “but then he said, ‘I gotta go; I gotta go.’” Understanding the severity of the situation, Hagar urged Bonham to prioritize his family, adding, “You go – go.”
Bonham’s departure left a gap that Kenny Aronoff was quick to fill, despite having only a day’s notice to prepare for the Cincinnati show.
Kenny Aronoff’s Stellar Performance on the Best of All Worlds Tour
Despite the short notice, Kenny Aronoff impressed both the band and fans with his performance. According to Hagar, Aronoff joined the tour with just 24 hours’ notice and immediately stepped up to the challenge. “He did a 90-percent perfect show,” Hagar noted, joking, “I swear to you, I make more mistakes every night than he did!”
Aronoff’s enthusiasm was another standout quality, with Hagar describing him as one of the most energetic musicians he’s ever played with. “He’s so enthusiastic. He’s the most enthusiastic guy – ‘Oh man, we’re gonna kill it! Don’t worry about me!’ He’s like foaming at the mouth. He’s crazy!” Hagar praised Aronoff’s ability to seamlessly integrate into the Van Halen-heavy setlist, even outperforming expectations.
Future Tour Plans with Kenny Aronoff
With the North American leg of the Best of All Worlds tour now complete, Sammy Hagar is preparing to take the show to Japan, accompanied by Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, and Ray Thistlethwayte. While it’s unclear if Jason Bonham will rejoin the band for the Japan dates, Hagar remains flexible. “If Jason is still with his mom, he’s gotta be there till she either comes through or… whatever,” Hagar said, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.
In the meantime, Hagar is more than happy to continue touring with Aronoff if necessary. “We got Kenny, thank God. And if we have to go to Japan with him, we’ll go to Japan,” Hagar added.
Conclusion
Sammy Hagar opened up about Jason Bonham’s replacement by Kenny Aronoff on the Best of All Worlds tour, shedding light on Bonham’s family emergency and Aronoff’s impressive ability to fill in with minimal preparation. While Bonham focuses on his mother’s health, Hagar and the rest of the band are grateful for Aronoff’s contributions and enthusiasm, ensuring the tour continues without a hitch.
