DEBORAH BONHAM MAKES U.S. DEBUT WITH DUCHESSDebut from John Bonham's Sister Delivers 13 Songs Powered By Her Soulful Voice and Includes Guest Performances by Jason Bonham and Paul RodgersAvailable June 24 from Atco RecordsLOS ANGELES -- The Bonham family tree is firmly rooted in musical tradition. First was John Bonham, the esteemed drummer for Led Zeppelin, who was followed by his son Jason, a skilled skinman in his own right. Add to that list Deborah Bonham -- sister of John, aunt of Jason -- whose album DUCHESS introduces her powerful blues-rock vocal chops to American
listeners. On June 24, her 13-song U.S. debut will be available from Atco Records at all physical retail outlets and www.rhino.com for a suggested list price of $18.98. The album will also be available at all digital outlets for $11.99 and will include an exclusive new, live-in-the-studio
version of "The Old Hyde Revisited," the title track from her 2004 album.A celebration of soul, strength and family, the album -- Bonham's third overall -- stands as her finest work. She rips through 13 original compositions backed by her forceful working band -- former Humble Pie drummer Jerry Shirley, bassist Ian Rowley, keyboardist Gerard Louis, and
guitarist Peter Bullick. Each song showcases her soulful singing and her effortless, sensitive approach to a gamut of styles, from blues and soul to hard rock and English folk.DUCHESS is the best showcase yet for Deborah's versatility. It features the bluesy stompers "Pretty Thing," "Grace," and "Duchess & the Shufflemeister"; the heart-ripping ballad "Love You So"; the country-tinged lament "Blue" (featuring veteran pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole); the
folk-inflected "Chains" and a stand-out performance on "Hold On," a stirring statement of self-reliance and faith that includes guest drummer Jason Bonham and vocalist Paul Rodgers, the former frontman for Free and Bad Company.The new, live-in-the-studio version of "The Old Hyde Revisited," available only on the digital version, is a subdued, moving tribute to her father John Henry Bonham, Sr. and her brothers John and Michael, all of whom passed away within years of each other. "We end every live show with it," Deborah says. "Every time I sing it, it brings a tear to my eye. It has that power. It gets me every time I sing it."Bonham was first inspired to perform at the age of six after seeing her brother perform with Led Zeppelin for the first time. But it wasn't until after John's untimely death in 1980 that she decided to take the plunge. Initially hesitant to take the stage, she says the Bonham name was a
double-edged sword: "I knew some people would think I was just jumping on the bandwagon."She eventually relented, releasing her U.K. debut, For You And The Moon, to strong reviews in 1985. But she quickly soured on the music business. It would be nearly 20 years before she returned with her follow-up, The Old Hyde, which featured Mick Fleetwood, The Pretenders' Robbie McIntosh, Robbie Blunt and Dougie Boyle of Robert Plant's band, and Jason Bonham.DUCHESS
Track Listing1. "Grace"
2. "Jack Past 8"
3. "Hole In My Heart"
4. "Hold On"
5. "Love Lies"
6. "Pretty Thing"
7. "Love You So"
8. "How Do You Feel"
9. "Chains"
10. "Duchess And The Shufflemeister"
11. "Waiting So Long"
12. "(If You) Had A Little Love"
13. "Blue"
14. "The Old Hyde Revisited" ¬ digital version onlyDeborah and the band have just finished recording the new album 'Duchess', featuring all new original material. Deborah has even co-written an unfinished Steve Marriott/Jerry Shirley composition. Deborah's live band take up the reins in the studio, contributing co-writes, and a solid backing for some wonderful guest musicians, including Pink Floyd's Dick Parry on Sax, BJ Cole on Pedal Steel, Robbie Blunt on guitar, Fairport Convention's Dave Pegg on Mandolin, and a duet with Paul Rodgers. The album will be ready for release May 2008 and touring throughout the year.Deborah's last album, 'The Old Hyde' released in the UK on Track Records in 2004 is a stunning array of bluesy rock and emotive ballads, all perfectly showcasing Deborah's powerful voice to maximum effect. The title track being a ballad written about her Father Jack, and brother's John & Michael and the house they built, where Deborah lived. Produced by MO FOSTER (of Jeff Beck, Van Morrison, Phil Collins fame), the album features guest appearances from, MICK FLEETWOOD, Robert Plant guitarists ROBBIE BLUNT and DOUGIE BOYLE, Pretenders/Paul McCartney's guitarist ROBBIE MCINTOSH and John's son JASON BONHAM on drums.Born in Worcestershire, the younger sister of the late John and Michael Bonham.
Deborah was only five when John joined Led Zeppelin, and this powerful introduction sparked in her the overwhelming desire to write and perform.Her home was at The Old Hyde farm, where she lived with her father, John Henry Bonham snr, known as Jack, in the cottage at the back of The Old Hyde Farm. Her brother, John and his family, lived in the main House.While living there, Deborah and Jason started playing and recording their own songs.
At the age of 17, at Robert Plant's house in a nearby village, she recorded her first demos.With some encouragement and advice from Robert, Deborah sent out the songs anonymously and soon landed her first record deal with the major label Carrere Records, for whom she recorded the critically acclaimed album "For You and the Moon". The album reached the top 5 in the NME chart, was Simon Bates record of the week on Radio 1 and sold extremely well in Europe, being voted "Record of the Year" by Musik Mart, Germany.A period of recording for the Japanese Sam Corporation followed, and with press and radio promotion including interviews for Burrn and J Wave Radio. After this, English label RPM records released the single, "Perfect World" in 1995.Deborah spent 1996 getting her new band together, new songs for an album and playing some great shows such as headlining The Belfast Festival and a sell out show at the Bottom Line, Shepherd's Bush to excellent reviews, honing a new direction for the forthcoming album.The beginning of 1997 saw two extremely successful trips to the US. Firstly, she performed live on LA's Rockline radio to three million listeners throughout North America and Canada. This was followed by a special appearance with Jason Bonham and his band at the Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles, where she went down a storm!The success of the first trip led to another visit to the US with her band to open for Jason Bonham Band's shows in Los Angeles 'House of Blues' with guests Slash and Terry Reid, Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, New York and Chicago 'House of Blues'. Subsequently, two more tours across America were secured.Back in the UK and Europe, Deborah toured and performed with Van Halen, Alannah Myles, Tim Rose, Uli Jon Roth, Paul Weller, Humble Pie, Donovan, Lonnie Donnegan, Jools Holland, Ann Peebles, Foreigner and Paul Rodgers. Played festivals from Glastonbury to Donnington, and twice at Fairport Convention's Cropredy Festival.Booking & Contact Email:
[email protected]
USA Management Mike Johnson:
[email protected]
