BEN HARPER, JOHN PAUL JONES AND ?UESTLOVE GET THE LED OUT AT BONNAROO SUPERJAM

In one of Bonnaroo’s most legendary Superjam’s in their 6 years of existence, Ben Harper and ?uestlove teamed up with the legendary John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin to thrill a packed house at The Other Tent just after midnight on Friday June 15th. With an overflow crowd, the Jam featured intense renditions of ‘When the Levee Breaks’, ‘Good Times, Bad Times’ and a 25 minute version of ‘Dazed and Confused’ that is still resonating in the middle of a Tennessee farmland. Bonnaroo Superjam’s in the past have featured Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon of Phish, Herbie Hancock, Stanton Moore, Maceo Parker, G Love, Bela Fleck, Robert Randolph and Dr. John, but as soon as the news broke that 2007’s Superjam would feature ?uestlove, drummer from The Roots, along with Ben Harper and John Paul Jones, many fans were circling this Superjam on their Bonnaroo schedule with extreme anticipation. After the band played a heavily jam infused set they took the stage for a three song encore with The Roots guitarist, Kirk Douglas, for ‘Superstition’, ‘Changes’ and ‘It’s Your Thing.’

We caught up with Ben Harper just before this years Superjam to find out how this all got started and if the band had played before making it to Bonnaroo.

“I got a call from John Paul Jones, much to my surprise and I was blown away. He was putting together a night of music or at least a set and invited me to be a part of it with him and of course I was dazed and confused. No, no we haven’t hit a note. We’re going to get together when I leave here and try to work something through.”

We also wanted to know what’s special about Bonnaroo to Ben, since he’s been a part of the festival in a variety of different musical settings through the years.

“What’s special about Bonnaroo is it makes community. It formally makes a musical community. It pulls music from various ends of the musical scene around the world and establishes it as a scene.”

Not only was ?uestlove performing with The Roots and at Superjam, but he also brought his jazz funk project The Philadelphia Experiment to Bonnaroo which includes bassist Christian McBride. ?uestlove, who is also an accomplished photographer could also be seen in the photo pit taking pictures of The Police. John Paul Jones was seen sitting in with Unkle Earl, Gillian Welch, Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals and another memorable and instant classic set with Gov’t Mule at Midnight on Saturday. Ben Harper, besides performing at Superjam was joined onstage with his band by John Paul Jones and Ziggy Marley, for a version of ‘Get Up Stand Up!’

For those of you who weren’t fortunate to be onsite at Bonnaroo in 2007 for another memorable Superjam, here’s a small sampling of what you missed!