Words by Steve Melone

Anything with Led Zeppelin in the title is going to catch your eye, or at least it should. If a hundred years from now civilization ceased to exist, Led Zeppelin would go down as the greatest Rock & Roll band of all time. Rolling Stone and VH1 don’t have to be the ones to say it, but it’s a fact. When John Bonham died in 1980, Led Zeppelin called an end to the great band and some people (especially family) didn’t want to see it go forever. John’s son, Jason decided to keep the magic going by covering some of the band’s greatest songs, with the Led Zeppelin Experience. They did a pretty good job too. Of course it’s not Robert Plant, Jimmy Page & John Paul Jones, but that ain’t going to happen (I wish)! So why not have a few beers, sing some classic Led Zeppelin songs, and if you’re the peculiar middle -ged loner in the blue and yellow jacket maybe light up inside the Wellmont’s echoing rafters.

May 8th at the Wellmont, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience came to New Jersey, and brought some classic rock music to a setting that was excited and inviting. The band consists of lead singer James Dylan, guitarist Tony Catania, bassist Michael Devin and of course drummer, Jason Bonham. The band played for just about two hours, covering plenty of Zeppelin classics. Covers included “Since I’ve Been Loving You,” “When the Levee Breaks,” “Kashmir,” “Over The Hills and Far Away,” “The Ocean,” ending with “Stairway to Heaven,” and finally, “Whole Lotta Love.”

On stage, guitarist Tony Catania did a brilliant job playing licks the great Jimmy Page created. He didn’t have a violin bow, but he was still pretty damn good. Jumping from guitar to guitar, acoustic to electric, he did an excellent job covering some of the greatest music to ever be made. Vocalist, James Dylan held his own on the stage, though Robert Plant might have the edge by quite a bit. Overall a great set list, and a great performance that many would appreciate. I would venture to say they are certainly better than your average cover band. Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience has heart and an attitude that Jason himself is happy to explain. He does it for his dad and the great fans of the music he was a part of. And, as he posted online, “I only do this for the love, nothing more.”

www.jasonbonham.net/

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