Note: photo by Mike Corrado.

A sold-out crowd filled the Hard Rock Event Center at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Shuffling through a mostly middle aged crowd donning black tees and long hair, I was one of the youngest attendees for Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening. Nonetheless, I was ecstatic as I had interviewed Jason years prior and am a Led Head myself.

The show kicked off with footage showing John and family. While this played, Jason talked about his father dad going to work in a factory and sneaking off to do drums. John used to rub dirt in his face to create an illusion that he worked. The energy in the air was buzzing with “whoops” and excitement. Then, it started.

“Rock and Roll” was the first song of the night with bright red and white lights to accompany it. The audience seemed to know every word as they sang along. After “Celebration Day” and “Black Dog”, Jason spoke: “Good evening, Hollywood! Or should I say, ‘friends’. Family.” Clad in a black beanie, sunglasses, black tee, and a mid-chest necklace, he was the epitome of effortless cool.

“I started this gig 8 years ago as a one-time deal…I got letters and realized it wasn’t about me. It was about our love for Led Zeppelin,” the drummer said.

“If you let us, or if you’re with us – are you with us?” The audience applauded and roared in response. Jason continued: “When you had more hair, before your girlfriend was your wife, when you were still making out to 8tracks…Let us take you back in time, over the hills.”

The audience, appreciating the reference, cheered as the band launched into “Over the Hills”, complete with extended guitar riffs.

Following was one of Jason’s favorite songs from Led Zeppelin I, “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”. After “Ramble On”, Jason made a joke, smiling mischievously. “A lot of you were conceived to these songs, a lot of you did the conceiving.” The audience laughed, drinking in his every word.

The vibe calmed down after “In My Time of Dying”, with tunes such as “I Can’t Quit You Baby”, “The Song Remains the Same” and “The Rain Song”. Fog drifted onstage for the last song with black, white, red and other colors ever-changing into paint smudges on the screen.

Jason decided to pick up the energy and said, “You’re not going to see these people tomorrow, so you better get your asses moving.” The audience roared with laughter and gladly obliged as “The Ocean” was played.

A special treat was soon exhibited, though: footage of John playing at the beach with family was shown, with “Thank You” playing. What followed was even better, which was Jason’s drum solo with footage of his dad in the back. The incredible talent of both drummers was obvious, and the joy expressed in both faces was contagious. The movements were almost identical of both father and son, creating a truly breathtaking moment.  “You made me do it,” said a near breathless Jason who was met with tremendous applause. “I wasn’t doing it but up until tonight, I did it. He was 25 when he was doing that, I am 50 bloody 2!”

More footage was shown, this time of young Jason and dad drumming together and a sassy Jason dancing to Gary Glitter’s “Leader of the Gang”, swinging his tush side to side. “If you can’t laugh at yourself, no one will,” laughed the drummer.

The energy picked up with “Hey, Hey What Can I Do” and “Going to California”. Following the smooth and sexy “Since I’ve Been Loving You”, was one of Jason’s all- time favorites. The recognizable sounds of “Kashmir” soon followed, a song Bonham played this with the original band in 2000. Further going back in time, Bonham mentioned that he followed Phil Collins on concert when he was only 17. Fast forward to present time, and Phil Collins’s 17-year-old son was in the audience.

“Tonight wouldn’t be fulfilled if we didn’t play this song,” said Jason. “I love each and every one of you…I think this is a song of hope.” The audience screamed in joy as the iconic “Stairway to Heaven” played. The audience knew every word while pictures of angels and stained glass displayed in the background.

Concluding with “Whole Lotta Love”, the energy was still at an all time high when the crowd dispersed. Not just from the set, of course, but from the band members themselves. Jason would stand up from set occasionally and smile/sing along, even playing air guitar at times. Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening had everything that Led Zeppelin themselves had: enthusiasm, talent, and an immense love of music.

As my stepdad James, who accompanied me to the concert, said, “If you close your eyes, you would think you’re listening to Led Zeppelin themselves.”

For another concert review, click here.