Jason Bonham

Jason Bonham

By: Debbie Brautman | Photos: Chris Schmitt

Whole Lotta Love for Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening

Only good times and no bad times on this enchanted evening with this amazing tribute band dedicated to Led Zeppelin. The band is fronted by Jason Bonham, whose father John was the original drummer of Led Zeppelin. They call themselves JBLZE, short for Jason Bonham Led Zeppelin Evening. Originally, since 2010, it was Jason Bonham Led Zeppelin Experience. Their name changed in 2018 due to a request from Led Zeppelin, who wanted to use the word experience for their 50th Anniversary project. They have been celebrating John Bonham and Led Zeppelin for almost 15 years now. John Bonham tragically died so young at age 32 after he consumed 40 shots of vodka in 24 hours. Jason sadly but proudly spoke about his famous father, “I never got to play drums with my father. He is just so unique and there will never be another John Bonham. At the start of the tour I was talking to… I won’t say…Joey Kramer (Aerosmith drummer), and Kramer said, ‘Why don’t you play the opening song of the Led Zeppelin album Presence?” I answered, ‘it’s too hard.’ Kramer said, ‘Well, you better play it now cause you are getting old.’” Bonham added, “So I am competing with my 25-year-old dad on “Achilles Last Stand.” Actually, none of the drum parts are easy on any Led Zeppelin song. Jason was right…only one John Bonham, but machine gun Jason Bonham nailed it on that one and all the others without the boring and indulgent drum solos that most drummers perform. He was humble and not showy in the slightest, and his drumming was energetic, crisp and powerful. If you closed your eyes, you were transported to the 1970 glory days of mystical and unique Led Zeppelin.

Guitarist Jimmy Sakurai, aka Mr. Jimmy, played his guitar on “Dazed and Confused,” using a violin bow, two of them actually, since he shredded the first one with ferociousness. He resembles Jimmy Page in stance – all tall and lanky with a curly black shag haircut and identical stage outfits. His real name is Akio Sakurai, and he is from Japan. He’s a guitar whiz with monstrous riffs and a Jimmy Page obsession. It’s amazing how well he’s got Page down. The intro to “Over the Hills and Far Away” is classic Zep and stunningly beautiful. Same can be said that there is only one Jimmy Page with his melodically gorgeous and distinctive guitar sound. The bass player, Dorian Heartsong, is a dead ringer for Robert Plant, with his blonde flowing mane. Their singer, James Dylan, looks nothing like Robert Plant but sounds as similar as can be. He mentioned that the first time he heard Led Zeppelin was the album Led Zeppelin IV coming through his bedroom wall from his sister’s room. Like Plant, he can belt it out with a giant voice that reaches those high registers, especially impressive on “The Ocean,” and “Misty Mountain Hop,” which soars into the stratosphere. The highly talented Alex Howland on keyboards, guitars and backing vocals had such infectious enthusiasm and spirit. “Good Times Bad Times,” “Ramble On,” and of course, “Stairway To Heaven,” were all crowd pleasers. “Kashmir” from the double epic album “Physical Graffiti” is a favorite of both Page and Plant and it did not disappoint. “Kashmir” came from a trip Plant and Page took down the Morocco Atlantic Coast. Plant told the magazine Louder Sound, “I wish we were remembered for ‘Kashmir’ more than ‘Stairway To Heaven,’ … It’s so right; there’s nothing overblown, no vocal hysterics. Perfect Zeppelin.” Jimmy Page also listed “Kashmir” as one of his favorites, and while speaking to Rolling Stone magazine in 2012, he said “Kashmir” had the greatest Led Zeppelin riff. JBLZE did them proud with their version of “Kashmir.” Jason was so humble and grateful as he thanked the audience and proudly admitted, “You won’t find a better tribute to Zeppelin, and he is correct. He said, “You always want to do well in your hometown. We are fans of Led Zeppelin, just like you. To my family, who are all here! To the band cause I can’t do this on my own! Rip the roof off this place! Here is a song of hope.” After they finished the crowd pleasing “Stairway To Heaven,” he joked that they were too old to go off stage and proceeded into their encore songs, “Whole Lotta Love” and “Rock and Roll.” He did a short drum solo on “Whole Lotta Love,” and after “Rock and Roll,” he wished everyone a wonderful holiday season.

Jason Bonham’s son, Jager Henry, passionately opened the show with his own competent modern band, which in no way resembled his grandfather’s band. He repeatedly professed how happy he was to play in his hometown in such a great venue, the Hard Rock Live, in Hollywood, Florida. He was well received.