Concert Review
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
Kodak Center
Rochester, NY
December 3, 2024
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
There are many a Zeppelin tribute bands that do a great job emulating Page, Plant, Bonham and Jones. However, nobody does it any better than Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening. Jason has done a fine job at putting together an excellent band to pull off something that is not easy to do. This band, bar none is the closest thing on the touring circuit to the real deal. What started out 14 years ago as what was deemed to be a one time thing has turned into something Bonham never anticipated. Here we are 14 years later still growing strong.
The band has not changed much over the last several years. In fact guitarist Jimmy Sakurai was the last piece of the puzzle when he came aboard in 2017. This guy can play Jimmy Page blindfolded. Sakurai has the moves of Page down to a tee. His shining moment came during “Dazed and Confused” with a spot on performance to help emulate and escalate the song as one of the overall standouts of the night. James Dylan has been been on board at the start and does an admiral job on the catalog which obviously is not easy to do. Bonham’s rhythm partner Dorain Heartsong joined in 2011 on bass and keyboardist, guitarist Alex Howland has been in the band since 2014.
Make no mistake about the band however, it is Jason Bonham’s name and powerful drumming that brings it all on home. The sheer power on “When The Levee Breaks” is all one needs to hear to realize this band would make John Bonham very proud. Bonham stated “We gotta play the songs I don’t like to play because they are so hard to play” as he introduced “Achilles Last Stand” the leadoff track from the 1976 release Presence. The song that stood out for this reviewer was “Kashmir” as Bonham stated he really enjoyed his father’s version from one of his last tours and tries to pay homage to that version.
The band closed out with the expected “Whole Lotta Love” and closer “Rock and Roll”. While many Zeppelin classics were played a great deal were missing but looking at it from a drummer’s perspective you had the main drumming songs that made Bonzo stand on top of drummer mountain. John Henry Bonham was clearly was a huge influence on many many drummers that have come since. Not too many drummers have left a lasting legacy like Bonham had. Which is why he is still regarded as one of the greatest ever. Jason has surely done his father proud as he carries on his father’s legacy proudly.
Set List
In The Evening
Good Times Bad Times
Ramble On
What Is and What Should Never Be
Heartbreaker
When The Levee Breaks
Achilles Last Stand
Dazed and Confused
The Ocean
Misty Mountain Hop
Black Mountain Side
Kashmir
Stairway To Heaven
Take Me Home, Country Roads
Whole Lotta Love
Rock and Roll
