While California Breed the album is out now, California Breed the band won't start playing its first live dates until October, after Bonham's current (and previously-scheduled) musical commitments with Heart and Sammy Hagar run their course. But he's happy to wait for his bandmate and friend.

"Look man, let's talk turkey here," laughs Hughes. "Jason's father [Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham] was one of my best friends. I've known Jason since he was in diapers!"

He remembers sleeping many a nights at the Bonham house, only to be awakened in the morning by the sound of loud, pounding drums. Thinking it was John at play, he would go downstairs only to find the pint-sized Jason behind the sticks instead.

"Look, man, John Bonham is rooted in this band," Hughes adds. "And I embrace his presence and his legacy. And I told Jason -- nothing spooky here -- that his dad was with us while we were making this record. And I told Jason to be fearless. Because you have to be fearless to make this music and make it worth something."

Coming up in Part II: Hughes discusses his drug-fueled past and recovery, the tragedy of Deep Purple bandmate Tommy Bolin and the Indonesian trip that almost killed him, and why Houston above all cities in America holds a special place for him.

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