JASON BONHAM On His LED ZEPPELIN EVENING Show: ‘I Started It Purely As A Therapeutic Way To Get The LED Out Of Me…

JASON BONHAM On His LED ZEPPELIN EVENING Show: ‘I Started It Purely As A Therapeutic Way To Get The LED Out Of Me…

Jason Bonham, the son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, has carved his own niche in the music world. One of his most significant endeavors is the creation of **Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening (JBLZE)**, a live tribute to the iconic band that redefined rock music in the 1970s. The show has not only become a beloved act among fans of Led Zeppelin, but also serves as an emotional and personal journey for Jason himself. In multiple interviews, Jason has discussed how the project began, its purpose, and its significance in his life, often referring to it as a therapeutic way to reconcile with his father’s legacy and the profound impact of Led Zeppelin’s music.

### The Origins of Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
Jason Bonham’s connection to Led Zeppelin began at birth. His father, John Bonham, was considered one of the greatest drummers of all time, and his untimely death in 1980 marked the end of Led Zeppelin as a band. Growing up, Jason was surrounded by music, often sitting by his father’s drum kit or listening to the sounds of Led Zeppelin. However, his father’s passing when Jason was just 14 left a void, both personally and professionally. Over time, Jason followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a talented drummer in his own right and playing with numerous bands and artists.

The seeds of JBLZE were planted in the late 2000s. Jason had performed with the surviving members of Led Zeppelin—Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones—during the legendary one-off reunion concert at London’s O2 Arena in 2007. The performance, which was widely praised, rekindled interest in Led Zeppelin and solidified Jason’s connection to his father’s musical legacy. However, it was the years following that show that motivated him to create JBLZE.

In interviews, Jason has candidly explained that the project was initially “purely a therapeutic way to get the Led out of me.” As someone who grew up idolizing his father and the band, Jason found it emotionally challenging to come to terms with his father’s death and the lasting shadow it cast over his own career. Playing Zeppelin’s music with JBLZE allowed him to process those feelings and pay homage to the music that shaped his life. It was, in his words, a way to “celebrate the music, not mourn the loss.”

### JBLZE as a Celebration of Led Zeppelin’s Legacy
The idea of JBLZE is not to replace or imitate Led Zeppelin, but to honor their music with authenticity and reverence. Jason often emphasizes that the show is a tribute to his father and the band’s enduring legacy. The setlists for JBLZE performances are carefully curated to capture the essence of a Led Zeppelin concert, featuring fan favorites like “Stairway to Heaven,” “Kashmir,” and “Whole Lotta Love,” as well as deeper cuts that highlight the band’s musical versatility.

Jason has been adamant about the importance of recreating the songs as faithfully as possible. He surrounds himself with highly skilled musicians who share his passion for Led Zeppelin’s music, ensuring that every note and every beat reflects the spirit of the original recordings. “I don’t just play the drums,” Jason has said. “I play them the way my dad did. I take pride in replicating his style and technique, because that’s what the music deserves.”

### The Personal Connection
Beyond the technical aspect of the performances, JBLZE is deeply personal for Jason. He has shared stories of how the project allows him to connect with his father in ways he never could growing up. Through playing Led Zeppelin’s songs, Jason feels a sense of closeness to his father, almost as if he is carrying on his legacy. “When I’m on stage playing these songs, I feel like my dad is there with me,” Jason once said. “It’s like he’s watching over me, proud of what I’m doing.”

One of the most emotional aspects of the show is when Jason shares anecdotes about his father and the band. Fans often describe these moments as highlights of the concert, as they provide a glimpse into the personal side of Led Zeppelin’s history. For Jason, these stories are a way of keeping his father’s memory alive, not just for himself but for the audience as well. “I want people to remember him not just as a drummer, but as a person,” he has said.

### A Journey of Healing
JBLZE has also been a journey of healing for Jason. Losing his father at a young age was a traumatic experience, and for years he struggled with feelings of loss and inadequacy. The weight of being John Bonham’s son often overshadowed his own accomplishments, leading to what Jason has described as a “love-hate relationship” with Led Zeppelin’s music.

The therapeutic nature of JBLZE has helped Jason reconcile these feelings. By immersing himself in the music, he has found a way to embrace his father’s legacy without being consumed by it. “It’s not about living in the past,” Jason explained in an interview. “It’s about celebrating the music and moving forward.”

Jason has also spoken about the emotional response from fans, many of whom express gratitude for keeping the spirit of Led Zeppelin alive. These interactions have reinforced the importance of JBLZE not just for Jason but for the global Led Zeppelin community. “The fans are incredible,” Jason said. “They share their stories about how my dad and the band’s music changed their lives, and it makes me realize how much this means to people.”

### The Future of JBLZE
As JBLZE continues to tour, Jason remains committed to preserving the authenticity and integrity of the performances. He views the project as an ongoing celebration of Led Zeppelin’s music, one that allows new generations of fans to experience the magic of their songs. While Led Zeppelin itself is unlikely to reunite, JBLZE offers a way for fans to connect with the band’s legacy in a live setting.

Looking ahead, Jason hopes to expand the scope of JBLZE, perhaps incorporating more multimedia elements to enhance the storytelling aspect of the shows. He has also expressed interest in collaborating with other musicians who were influenced by Led Zeppelin, further bridging the gap between past and present.

### Conclusion
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening is more than just a tribute act—it’s a deeply personal and emotional journey for Jason and a gift to Led Zeppelin fans around the world. What began as a therapeutic project has evolved into a celebration of one of the greatest rock bands of all time, offering audiences a chance to experience their music in a live setting. For Jason, it’s a way to honor his father’s legacy while carving out his own path, proving that the spirit of Led Zeppelin lives on, not just in their recordings but in the hearts of those who continue to be inspired by their music.