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Near Zep Experience Zaps BergenPAC A SoundPress.net Feature Article by Rich and Laura Lynch Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience performed at the BergenPAC in Englewood, New Jersey on October 27, 2011. The band is a living tribute to Jason's father the late John Bonham (Bonzo) and the music of Led Zeppelin.
 Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience By the age of five, Jason Bonham was skillfully playing a scaled down drum kit. At seventeen, he joined his first band Airrace who opened for a number of big name acts including AC/DC, Meat Loaf and Queen. Since then Jason has collaborated with an impressive list of musicians. In recent years, Bonham has joined forces with Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes and Derek Sherinian with the quartet crafting their own brand of hard rock under the name Black County Communion. Jason was in his teens when his father John Bonham - the mighty drummer for Led Zeppelin - died. In a phone interview with Kara Yorio, a staff writer for The New Jersey Record, Jason explained that when he was first approached about the project he was reluctant but reconsidered after seeing Rain the Broadway tribute to the Beatles. He realized that the use of multi-media and vintage video footage could work to a touching tribute to his dad. He contacted his mother and grandmother for photos and home movies. Initially, his mom did not like the idea but changed her mind when she saw the production. Jason commented that he wanted to include "more obscure tracks, songs that Zeppelin did not perform live", thus creating a new experience for veteran fans. He mentioned that Physical Graffiti was one of his favorite albums and he selected some songs that were less obvious such as "In the Light".
 JB LZE on stage in Englewood, New Jersey. "July 15th, 1966 I was born," narrated Jason beginning the experience. He mentioned that times were tough when John Bonham worked at a factory but John was also pursuing his passion for drumming. The recounting was told as pictures of England were flashed on the big screen behind the stage. Bonham continued, "this is my story, what my Dad and Led Zeppelin meant to me". The rest of Bonham's talented band took the stage for a roaring version of "Rock and Roll" with clips of early rockers flickering on the screen in conjunction with flashing lights. Musically the Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience was a concise interpretation of the songs but no one in the band looked like the early version of Led Zeppelin, thus allowing room for different expressions. The able lead singer James Dylan was not obligated to strike a bunch of Plant postures. "Our House" by Crosby Stills & Nash was piped in as pictures of Jason playing drums as a child appeared on the screens. Bonham said something to the effect that you knew him (John) as a wild guy but he was just my dad. He continued that his first memory of the legendary band was when he was two and he heard haunting church organs in the house. He described the sound as terrifying and it was only later that he realized it was the intro to "Your Time Is Gonna Come" - which was a good lead in to the classic. It was followed by the beguiling and blazing "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You." The use of multi-media and clips was very effective and added to the overall experience of Jason's presentation including a lustful "The Lemon Song.". Bonham mentioned his late grandmother stating that the next song was played at her funeral. Apparently it was grandma who brought John his first drum kit at sixteen and within four short years John was the dynamic drummer who could be heard on Led Zeppelin 1. "This is my way of saying thank you," Jason said as a perfect prelude to the touching "Thank You" with more moving family pictures displayed. The use of liquid like art effects floating on the screen with lights flaring out added to the mood of "Dazed and Confused" with Tony playing the guitar with a bow. The band expanded on this one with additional power packed jamming. "I dreamed of playing drums side by side with my Dad," but back then there was only one drum kit in the house but now with the wonders of technology I can," Jason described as the band moved into "Moby Dick". At the drum solo part, the screen was split with clips of John and Jason in real time playing the dynamic piece side by side.
 Jason Bonham is master of ceremonies and powerful drummer for JB LZE. After a short break, home movies were shown of father and son playing a kit and bongos and it was followed by clips of a young Jason dancing with his folks watching and laughing. "What were my parents thinking," he asked then said "welcome to part two" which flowed into "The Ocean" that was well executed with fans singing along. The band moved to Led Zeppelin 3 with the bluesy "Since I've Been Lovin You" where more liquid art work was used and Tony sizzled on his guitar solo. "In the Light" started with cryptic keys from Stephen with lights adding to the aura of the piece. Coming into the home stretch, Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience kept the momentum going with the delta blues influenced "When The Leevee Breaks" complete with harmonica and lap steel. Jason recalled playing the Led Zeppelin reunion concert before going into the intricate and intriguing "Kashmir" followed by the classic "Stairway to Heaven". Both songs feature extensive visuals that added to the vibrancy of the music. The encore included shout outs to the band, crew and the fans concluding with a pulsing "Whole Lotta Love." Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience was a celebration of Led Zeppelin and the life of John Bonham. Jason's ability, respect and reverence was apparent. Jason stated how much he enjoyed playing this music and was already looking forward to the next tour where more Zep songs could be showcased. The large legacy of Led Zeppelin and the spirit of his father lives on through Jason Bonham! It was terrific to see not one but two great drummers thought the magic of technology, however there was a third amazing drummer at the BergenPAC on this night - as Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Transatlantic, Neal Morse, Adrenaline Mob) was in the crowd enjoying the concert. We had a few words with him after the show. Mike was friendly and graciously gave us his autograph signed "Carp Diem". It was an awesome end to an energized evening!
 Jason Bonham behind his kit in New Jersey! ABOUT bergenPAC: A portion of the proceeds from the sale of special Jason Bonham Led Zeppelin Experience laminates were earmarked to raise funds for the venue's music education programs. Known as The John Harms Center for 27 years, this cultural hub in Englewood, has been reborn as Bergen Performing Arts Center or bergenPAC. This 1367-seat theater is a landmark, and in its third season as bergenPAC it remains one of the finest acoustic halls in the United States. The legendary Tony Bennett and Canadian crooner k.d. lang recorded their 2003 Grammy award-winning CD live on bergenPAC's own stage through a broadband fiber-optic connection with Bennett Studios. bergenPAC is the home of a media production system that is unparalleled, upholding its reputation as a venue for outstanding music, dance and theater. As a non-profit corporation, bergenPAC has thrived thanks to the aid and generosity of sponsors, donors and patrons.
JASON BONHAM's LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE (JBLZE) features:
JB LZE SETLIST - OCT. 27, 2011: Englewood, NJ
 The BergenPAC is Bergen County's premiere concert venue! Related Links: For more information on JASON BONHAM and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- JasonBonham.net | bergenPAC.org (Originally Published on October 28, 2011) |
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