Acclaimed metal drummer Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Philm) and Charlie Benante (Anthrax) were honored with the Bonzo Bash Legend award during the 2015 Bonzo Bash at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California for pioneering thrash metal. Both drummers received the award from another living legend, Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward.
Created and curated by drummer Brian Tichy, Bonzo Bash is a drum-centric tribute to Led Zeppelin’s John Henry Bonham which takes place on both sides of the US.
Over the years it has become an annual event. At the West Coast, the Bonzo Bash takes place during the NAMM Show.
This year, show creator Brian Tichy took the Bonzo Bash one epic step further by including all four Ludwig drum kits Zeppelin drummer John "Bonzo" Bonham used throughout his career.
The Bonzo Bash Legends award was previously won by Peter Criss, Carmine Appice, and Bill Ward.