Led
Zepagain Brings the Music of Zeppelin Alive Again
By Jimmy Cummings
I have been a fan of Led Zeppelin every since I was
a kid; listening to them on my turntable I can remember closing my eyes and
getting lost in the vocals of Plant, the guitar riffs of Page, the amazing Bass
and keyboards of Jones, and the driving beats of Bonham. For hours I would sit
in my little room (really a closet) with my headphones on and forget about
everything else but the sounds bouncing inside my head.
Unfortunately I never got to see the band live
before the tragedy of Bonham’s death in 1980. So when my son gave me two
tickets to the Led Zepagain Tribute show at Bogart’s I was pretty pumped. Then
I did a little research on the band and decided I want to do an article and
review of the show. So I wrote the band an e-mail and much to my surprise,
Steve Zukowsky the bands guitarist, sent me a message back and gave me the OK
with all access for the show. Dude I was on cloud nine! Now I know what you’re
saying, “this is a tribute band, why are you so excited?” What can I say; I
figured if they are half as good as the original it would still be a fun night
out.
Our night began with my wife Lisa and me going
backstage to meet the band. This was my first time backstage at Bogart’s so I
had no idea where we were going, it is like a maze back there, but eventually
we found our way to the band. I wasn’t sure what to expect, perhaps a groupie
or two, beer, booze and everywhere, you know the things rockers do. But when we
met Steve backstage the guys were simply chilly out relaxing before their show.
After introductions, some small talk, and a couple of pictures with Lisa and
the band we wished the guys luck for the show. We had a little time to kill
before the show so we went out and mingled with the crowd gathering outside.
This was Led Zepagain’s first time to the Buckeye State, so everyone was
wandering exactly how good these guys really are; I mean there a “tribute” band
right? But once Led Zepagain took the stage all that crap was out the window
and the party was on.
At this point we should introduce the band; Swan
Montgomery (Vocals), Jim Wootten (Bass, Keyboards, Mandolin), Steve Zukowsky
(Guitar), Jim Kersey (Drums, Percussion). When the band first takes the stage
you can’t help but notice how much they look like Zeppelin. These guys even
have the movements and hand gestures down. But it doesn’t take long before you
start focusing on the music these guys are pumping thru those speakers and you
realize these guys can play.
Swan Montgomery’s vocals are a dead ringer for
Plant, and with the curly blonde locks and mannerisms you almost forget this isn’t
the real thing. The rest of the band is just as impressive; filling the shoes
of John Paul Jones on Keyboards and Bass can’t be easy, but Jim Wootten is up
to the challenge and portrays Jones with tremendous accuracy. Steve Zukowsky is
an amazing guitarist; all you have to do is witness his rendition of Dazed and
Confused and you too will be amazed.
Everyone in Bogart’s that night was in awe at how much Steve sounded
like Page. From the bow work on Dazed and Confused to the dual guitars on The
Song Remains the Same, this was like watching Page in his prime. Jim Kersey had
the daunting task of performing the drums of John Bonham; I mean no one can pound
the drums like Bonham, right? That’s what I thought until I heard Jim’s version
of Moby Dick.
The band also performed classic Zeppelin hits like
Kashmir, Rock and Roll, and Whole Lotta Love as well as an acoustic set that
featured Wootten on Mandolin. This was an all age’s show, so there was a
variety of people in the crowd, but when the guys played Stairway to Heaven
everyone was on their feet. I have to admit, there were times when I was
standing like six inches from the speakers with my camera in hand and I would
get so caught up in the show, I would forget to snap the shot. Sorry, but this
band is that good. It was interesting that after the band left the stage, the
talk outside was, “can you believe how much those guys sound like Zeppelin?”
The night ended with the band coming out and
greeting those who stuck around for a cold one after the show. In addition to
being great musicians, these are great guys. All the guys were signing
autographs and Swan came down and gave Lisa hug (I’m sure one of the highlights
of her night) and invited us back to see them any time. No worries, if you guys
are anywhere close, we are there! I want to thank Steve for taking the time out
of his busy schedule to hook us up, as well as the rest of the band for giving
us a night we will never forget. Also, thanks to Bogart’s for bringing Led
Zepagain to the Buckeye State, let’s bring them back REAL SOON!
