Led Zeppelin is one of the most influential rock-n-roll bands of all-time. That influence runs so deep that generations later music lovers of all ages continue to spin their records and turn out in numbers to see tribute acts perform their music. What better way to pay tribute to the band then experience their legendary drummer, John Bonham’s son, Jason to re-create the music in his own Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience. For many their first memory of Jason was seeing a video of him as a five year old playing “The Song Remains The Same” on drums perfectly. For others they remember Jason behind the kit for Led Zeppelin themselves back in 2007 for the Ahmet Ertegun tribute held in London England or in 2012 when the band was honored at the Kennedy Center with Jason behind the kit for Heart. With curiosity running wild with excitement on Friday May 9th Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience came to Huntington, NY to play in front off a sold out The Paramount.
With an audience ranging in age from those who saw Led Zeppelin live, to those who only know the band from their parents LP’s, The Paramount had a buzz of rock-n-roll enthusiasm flowing. Primed for a good time on a Friday night everyone had all eyes on the stage as the band made their way out opening with “Rock N Roll”. Vocalist James Dylan belted out a strong range that had many newcomers to the experience thinking this was a dream come true. If you closed your eyes long enough you would feel like you were right there listening to Robert Plant and company rock out on stage. Playing through one classic after another including “Black Dog”, “Over The Hills”, “Ocean” and “Hey Hey”, bassist Michael Devin and guitarist Tony Catania played tight proving to be extremely talented musicians.
While the band themselves were unbelievable to watch, it was clear to see the dominate force that Jason Bonham was behind the kit. The stick work of Jason was magical and each song possessed a similar mystical force to the original renditions. Songs like “Since I’ve Been Loving You”, “When the Levee Breaks”, “Kashmir”, and of course “Stairway To Heaven” were just some more of the highlights in the set. Showing respect and complete attention to the performance, the audience applauded loudly after each song and chanting “Bonzo” from time to time.
As the energy flowed like water from the stage there was a level of happiness indescribable around the floor of The Paramount. Having been thirty=four-years since John Bonham’s passing these fans were aware of the great loss of his tremendous musical ability and Jason has done a splendid job of paying homage to his father and help celebrate his life. As the show came toward its end Jason stood up from his kit, tears in his eyes, stating he strongly felt his dad’s presence in The Paramount. He went on to say he could smell him and he just knew his dad was there with everyone. It was a truly breathtaking moment that had the audience in a frenzy of cheers feeling connected with the band and the legend of Led Zeppelin. The band had one more song for this gracious room of fans and that was the energy pumping “Whole Lotta Love”.
This was an unbelievable experience, a Led Zeppelin Experience. From the personal retrospective stories of Led Zeppelin and John Bonham to the spot on music, The Paramount was treated to an experience they will soon not forget.
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