A MEMBER of the legendary Bonham family is preparing for two gigs in Fife during October.
The Deborah Bonham Band will play the Inn at Lathones in St Andrews on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 in what promises to be a treat for music fans.
Blues rocker Deborah Bonham
The Bonham family boasts a deep musical gene pool with John Bonham, the esteemed drummer for Led Zeppelin, and his son Jason, who has followed in his father's footsteps as one of hard rock's most skilled skinmen also renowned in the industry.
You can now also add to the list Deborah Bonham - sister of John, aunt of Jason - whose debut Rhino Entertainment album 'Duchess' has introduced her powerful blues-rock sound.
Backed by her forceful working band - former 'Humble Pie' drummer Jerry Shirley, bassist Ian Rowley, keyboardist Gerard Louis, and husband and guitarist Peter Bullick, Deborah has recorded 14 original compositions on Duchess that showcase her committed, soulful singing and her effortless style from blues and soul to hard rock and English folk.
Bonham's musicality runs deep in the blood and she listened to a breadth of different styles while growing up at the Old Hyde, the family farm.
"At a very early age, I had a wealth of music given to me," she said.
Her favorites encompassed the soul of James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Motown; the bluesy 60s rock of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin; and rootsy American country-rock styles, from the Eagles and Little Feat.
An admirer of Aretha, Janis, and Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks, Deborah cites Maggie Bell - the onetime lead singer of the English blues-rock band Stone the Crows, and later a solo artist on Led Zeppelin's Swansong label - as her key influence.
"She was my main one," Deborah said.
"When I was very young, John of course brought me her album 'Suicide Sal'.
"She's my girl."
Of course, her brother's pioneering band, which became the reigning rock act of the 70s, was a major inspiration.
Deborah vividly recalls seeing Led Zeppelin for the first time, saying: "I was about six years old.
"I went to see them at the Birmingham Odeon.
"There were 2,500 people there, and their first album was just out.
"I was amazed by them - It was awesome.
"I remember thinking, this is what I want to do."
October 24-25, Deborah Bonham Band, Inn at Lathones, tickets £22. Call 01334 840494.
