A trip to the 70s

There’s no denying it, Jason Bonham, son of the late legendary drummer John Bonham, knows how to rock. Strobe lights, video footage, psychedelic images and shapes filled the Riverside Theater Tuesday night for the last night of the 2012 tour for Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience.

From the opening song, “Rock ‘N Roll,” concertgoers were on their feet chanting, dancing, singing, and holding their drinks high. There was an immediate connection between the band and the audience, and thus began the journey through the music of Led Zeppelin.

Classic hits like “Immigrant Song,” “What Is And What Never Should Be,” “Over The Hills And Far Away,” and “No Quarter,” struck a chord with the crowd as they were transported back to 1970’s. The five-man band didn’t hold back and continually rocked Led Zeppelin’s greatest hits. Between songs, Jason shared childhood memories of his father, describing him as a shy, private, humble man who just happened to be the best drummer in the world.

The show was visually stimulating with video footage, iconic images of the Hindenburg Airship burning and colorful stencils that illuminated the stage. The evening’s biggest surprise came from lead singer James Dylan, who echoed the sounds of Robert Plant, most notably on “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” from the band’s 1968 debut album.

Jason plays to celebrate the life of his father, and this was clear on “Thank You,” when Jason told the audience his only regret was not telling his father he appreciated him enough. The song was the most personal of the evening, featuring intimate home videos of John and Jason together.

The show’s first half ended with “Moby Dick,” where Jason fulfilled his father’s long time dream of simultaneously playing the drums with his son. Jason began by giving an impressive five minute drum solo that evolved into a split-screen backdrop of father and son jamming together.

The second set of the evening was powerful with “The Song Remains The Same” and “The Ocean” from 1973’s Houses of the Holy and James Dylan nailing the slow tempo “Since I’ve Been Loving You.”  The concert came to a climax with “Kashmir” from 1975’s Physical Graffiti. This was what the audience was waiting for; the crowd immediately rose to its feet and gracefully sang along, treasuring the final moments of the evening.

The crowd erupted once again when the quiet introduction of the finger-picked six string guitar for “Stairway To Heaven” began. The aisles were filled with excitement, dancing, and loud cheers, and as they cheered for an encore, Jason reminded the ballroom that Led Zeppelin was a band that wasn’t afraid to try anything. They broke down the doors of rock music and changed the way rock ‘n roll was seen. Tuesday night’s show was an appreciation of the genre, the band and the music. To close the show, the band played “Whole Lotta Love” and concertgoers sang their hearts out, giving one last standing ovation, soaking in every last drop of Led Zeppelin.