Led Zeppelin Founder's Son Rocks Rialto: Ferak Column

JOLIET, IL - English drummer Jason Bonham, the 52-year-old son of the late John Bonham, put on a remarkable concert Monday night at downtown Joliet's historic Rialto Square Theatre. The Jason Bonham Led Zeppelin Experience was a show for the ages, and one that most people who attended will be talking about for a while.

I'm sure of that.

The 7:30 p.m. concert by the world-class drummer was before a near-sellout Rialto crowd. I was on the main floor where practically every seat was occupied. And this place was filled with excitement. Most fans were standing for much of the concert.

As for me, I went to this show as a spectator. I paid for my $53 floor admission ticket and sat with two of my family members who drove in from Wilmington.

On several occasions, Jason Bonham remarked how Monday night's audience in Joliet was awesome. He fed off the crowd's enthusiasm and energy. There was a connection in the theater. You could sense it.

And if you didn't know any better, you would have thought Bonham was banging on the drums with Robert Plant belting out the tunes and Jimmy Page on lead guitar, both in their prime.

The singer and lead guitar player who comprise Bonham's band were fantastic. Both men received loud ovations from the supportive audience throughout the night.

In between different songs, Bonham told several personal stories of growing up as John Bonham's son, of being born into one of the world's most famous rock bands of all-time.

He also reflected on his life's journeys and the bond he wanted to share with Joliet's Rialto crowd who had a deep love and admiration for Led Zeppelin music.

Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening was a great catch by the Rialto Square Theatre.

It's an important reminder that when the Rialto staff books the right acts, people will flock to downtown Joliet in droves, even on a cold, winter Monday night in December.

It was a great night to be downtown, to be inside the beautiful - and warm - Rialto to spend two-and-a-half hours with one of the finest drummers around, a man who is down to earth, who put on a terrific show, from start to finish.

Most people at Monday night's show will probably say that one of Bonham's finales, "Stairway To Heaven," was their favorite song of the evening.

I would beg to differ. My favorite song of the night was "Kashmir."

We could agree to disagree. It was a great show.

There were no duds or misses during the Jason Bonham Led Zeppelin Experience.

Was my $53 ticket worth the price of admission? You bet it was.

All images via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor except the bottom one, which is posted on YouTube by Jason Bonham