Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening Brings "Whole Lotta Love" To Atlanta August 18, 2023 01:05

Words by Monica Dean

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening brought a “Whole Lotta Love” to Atlanta this past Saturday night. Sitting center stage behind a large, raised drum kit with a picture of his late father, Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham on the bass drum head, Bonham welcomed fans to Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park. This performance was one of many in direct support of Gov't Mule's 'Dark Side of the Mule' tour this summer.

Bonham and his band paid tribute to Led Zeppelin, going though the musical catalog of one the most legendary rock bands in the world. Telling stories throughout the night, he told fans “This is something I started 13 years ago to pay homage and respect to my father and the music of Led Zeppelin. We share the music. We are all fans here just like you are.”

James Dylan, who was discovered on YouTube by Bonham, channels the vocals of Robert Plant and delivers on all the wails and high notes. Dylan throws his energy into the crowd who throws it right back singing along to classics like “Over the Hills and Far Away”, “Ramble On”, and “Whole Lotta Love”. Jimmy Sakurai (lead guitar) has the sound and style of Jimmy Page so completely locked in that it might have you doing a double take. Dorian Heartsong (bass) and Alex Holliman (keyboards/guitar) complete the Led Zeppelin sound.

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening was more than a standard tribute show. It is a way for Bonham to share his father with music fans and honor one of the most important bands in musical history. The love, passion, and pride is evident as Boham closes the show with the message, “Tell the one you're with you love them everyday".

Bonham and company will be touring through September. He will also be filling in for Kris Myers, drummer for Umphrey's McGee, at the ALL IN Music and Arts Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana, while Myers recovers from shoulder surgery. Bonham has previously played with Umphrey's McGee at both Red Rocks and Lockn’ Festival, covering songs like “Good Times, Bad Times” “Whole Lotta Love”, “Immigrant Song”, “Kashmir”, and” Ramble On”, so it's safe to expect some Led Zeppelin covers this go-round.

Watch Jason Bonham's LZE perform "Ramble On" in Atlanta [08.12.23]: