Michael Anthony Makes Rare Van Halen Cameo During Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening Show
Michael Anthony, the former Van Halen bassist, made a surprise guest appearance with Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, California. Anthony stepped in near the end of the set to help the group perform Van Halen’s “Runnin’ With the Devil” and Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll,” a rare departure from the tribute act’s usual all-Zeppelin setlist.
- Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening was launched in 2009 as Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience and later renamed at the request of the Led Zeppelin camp.
- The current touring lineup includes vocalist/acoustic guitarist James Dylan, bassist Dorian Heartsong, lead guitarist Akio “Mr. Jimmy” Sakurai, and rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Alex Howland.
- Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening is booked to keep touring through September 6, 2026.
What Happened Onstage in Costa Mesa
Addressing the crowd before Anthony’s appearance, Jason Bonham said, “We have never done anything like this in the 16 years of doing this show.” Vocalist James Dylan, who goes by “Mr. Jimmy” onstage, recalled the moment the plan came together, saying, “Jason wanted to do something old,” and adding, “Mr. Jimmy said yeah, let’s do it. So let’s do it.”
On “Runnin’ With the Devil,” Dylan handled David Lee Roth’s original lead vocal lines while handing the song’s hook over to Anthony, mirroring how Anthony sang it on Van Halen’s 1978 studio recording and on many live shows since. Once the song wrapped, Anthony told the audience, “I’m ready to get the Led out,” setting up the band’s transition into Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll,” on which Dylan and Anthony split lead vocal duties.
Jason Bonham and Michael Anthony’s Shared History
Saturday’s pairing was not the first time Bonham and Anthony have shared a stage. Both musicians previously played together in Sammy Hagar and the Circle and again on the 2024 Best of All Worlds tour with Sammy Hagar and Joe Satriani, a run that leaned heavily on the Van Halen catalog.
During that 2024 tour, Bonham stepped away to care for his mother, who had suffered a stroke, and drummer Kenny Aronoff took over on short notice. Hagar chose to keep Aronoff in the band even after Bonham was ready to return. Bonham addressed the situation in a May 2025 interview on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk,” saying he was “a little upset” and “a little shocked” by the decision.
What’s Next for Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening is scheduled to remain on the road through September 6, 2026, but the band reportedly only breaks out Van Halen material when an actual member of Van Halen joins them onstage; otherwise the setlist stays strictly Led Zeppelin.
More Info
- VAN HALEN Bassist MICHAEL ANTHONY Joins JASON BONHAM’S LED ZEPPELIN EVENING On Stage In California; Fan-Filmed Video | bravewords.com
- Watch Van Halen’s Michael Anthony Play ‘Runnin With The Devil’ With Jason Bonham | Rolling Stone
- Watch: MICHAEL ANTHONY Joins JASON BONHAMS LED ZEPPELIN EVENING On Stage In Costa Mesa, California | Blabbermouth
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