October 17, 1980, a date with the mighty Led Zeppelin that would never come to pass.
Montreal was abuzz early that summer. Led Zeppelin was coming to the Montreal Forum!
The Gods Of Rock were actually coming to my city… the excitement was absolutly incredible!!!
25 September 1980. Drummer John Henry Bonam has passed away and the North American Tour, was of course, halted.
It was the end of Led Zeppelin and of my only chance to see them live.
John Bonham’s son followed in his fathers footsteps playing the drums.
Rumors ran amok when Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and filling in for the late great John Bonham, his very capable son, Jason, played a one-off show at the O2 Area in London England in 2007.
Would Led Zeppelin reunite? Could it be possible a tour would actually happen?
Unfortunately, all parties decided it was not possible and a reunion or tour would probably never happen.
Jason, sensing the demand for such a show, gathered a group of very capable musicians and created “Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience“.
Fans in Ottawa were treated to, what has got to be for many of us, the closest we are ever going to get to Led Zeppelin.
And what a show! The theater at Casino du Lac-Leamy was rockin’ all night, listening to the boys re-create the Led Zeppelin sounds and mood. They are such a well oiled machine!
Close your eyes and vocalist James Dylan sounds like Robert Plant, just amazing.
Guitarist Tony Catania, a guitar god in his own right, has Jimmy Page down pat, even down to some of the facial expressions and body movements.
Filling out the rest of the band were bassist Dorian Heartsong and keyboard player Stephen Leblanc, both extremely talented musicians!
And of course Jason Bonham on drums. With a split video screen behind him, he played Moby Dick with his father for one of the more emotional moments of the night.
Jason would, between songs, share memories of his youth, his mom and dad throught those early years while family photos and video were played on the video screen.
It’s not Led Zeppelin, but for many of us, it’s close enough.
Set List:
Immigrant Song
Rock n’ Roll
Your Time is Gonna Come
Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
What Is and What Should Never Be
Lemon Song
Thank You
Moby Dick
Ocean
Over The Hills and Far Away
Since I’ve Been Loving You
When the Levee Breaks
Kasmir
Stairway to Heaven
Encore: Whole Lotta Love
.jpg "Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience")
by Jean Labelle
steve walker - good job guys please PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
rick svoboda - i saw th jblze show in indianapolis in 2011 incredible i they ever cime to that area again i would pay the price to see them again without thinking twice please come back guys you are all we zep fans have left!
Suzanne Posa - I’ll be the tall blonde in the front row stage left on Sat 4/28/2012 at Island Resort Harris, MI. I’ll be the one asking for a guitar pick…hopefully a drumstick….see you tomorrow night!
Susan - Keep on rocking guys ….
kimberly arsenault - I saw the JBLZE show at Hamilton place in 2011. I was extremely impressed with the show, I have been a Zep fan since i was 10yrs old. Fell in love with the sound and especially the heavy hitting of Mr.Bonham. “Moby Dick” performed by Jason and the fellows was SPECTACULAR. Would indeed pay again and again to see this show….
Doug Summers - I saw the show Friday & Saturday night, I was standing next to the tall blonde (Suzanne Posa) from a couple of posts back (see above), She did get her pick, but no drumb stick. The shows were awesome! and that’s comming from a very dedicated Zeppelin fan & music cretic.
Konstantin Golove - Thak you for your love to Johon Bonham !!!!
CMR - Come back to BUFFALO! I keep checking your site for new tour dates. Your show is amazing! Please post news re your next tour. 🙂
john - when are you guys coming back to the ny area? saw you guys at the bogata in ac. friggin AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kurt Muchler - Saw you guys in Philadelphia. AWESOME!!! Waiting on a show in Florida…..Head South boys.
Ronnie "Dawg" Robson - I was talking with Ritchie Yorke last night, doing a interview for “IN GODDO WE TRUST”, and sharing a glass of wine. On the drive home I thought what a great thing it would be to film JBLZE live for the entire world – enjoyed it that much!
Pike Quinn - looking for denver co. dates. saw you on spur of the moment after work about a year ago. absolute amazement. Please come to denver soon. and send me a email when you guys know. I am a house dad now and don’t get the concert circlulars that much anymore.. thanks.
pikescraigslist@yahoo.com
Pike Quinn - looking for denver co. dates. saw you on spur of the moment after work about a year ago. absolute amazement. Please come to denver soon. and send me a email when you guys know. I am a house dad now and don’t get the concert circlulars that much anymore.. thanks.
Julie - Saw the show in Reno last night, absolutely amazing- the band is polished and tight; close your eyes and you almost swear you are listening to Zep live. Thanks Jason for taking this show out to all the fans and sharing the memory of your father with us,and for keeping the music going. It was nice to see many generations at the show.
Ray Johnston - Like Rick the 1980 tour was the first of their tours I was to see. I was 18 and they were comming to chicago on Dec. 7 and I was going to surprise my girl friend for her birthday. I am a huge Zeppelin fan, so much so that my son currently 17 is a huge Zeppelin fan also. The first song I taught him on the bass 5 years ago was Ramble On. We are hoping that the tour comes to the Seattle area or somewhere in the pacific Northwest.
Stacey Klingaman - I see you are coming to Milwaukee, WI. Please come a little farther north to Green Bay! I went as far as Virginia to see you last year. Just can’t hit a show as far south as Milwaukee. I can go south to Green Bay. PLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEE! Love you guys!
Led Zeppelin Honoured At John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts » Labelle Photo - […] Jason’s band, “Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience” on their last tour through Ottawa and thought I’d re-post a few of my shots of Jason from that […]