Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Considering the band is no longer active and its surviving members have moved on to other unrelated projects, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening is currently the closest anyone will get to experiencing the exact flavor of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.

Not only is the leader the son of late drummer John Bonham, but he’s the man responsible for keeping the beat alongside fellow co-founders Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones in their first official reunion for Atlantic Records’ 40th Anniversary in 1988, then again at London’s O2 Arena in 2007, resulting in the “Celebration Day” audio and visual installments.

That alone would be enough to cement his authenticity to the throne, but they are merely a fraction of the recordings he’s completed with Page, Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers, UFO, Foreigner, Black Country Communion, Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar and in solo contexts.

Between such an extensive resume, plus the promise fans could hear Led Zeppelin’s entire “Physical Graffiti” in honor of its 50th anniversary, much of the Hard Rock Live was filled, which continued the Gary, Indiana’s concert hall and casino’s commitment to preserving all aspects of the genre and beyond.

For over two hours, the 59-year-old Bonham, singer James Dylan, guitarist Jimmy Sakurai, bassist Dorian Heartsong and keyboard player and Alex Howland reverently replicated the sprawling down album, leaving just enough room for their own instrumental or vocal flourishes to make it feel personalized and contemporary.

The bone-crushing “Custard Pie,” the bluesy “In My Time Of Dying,” the groovy “Houses Of The Holy,” the acoustic instrumental “Bron-Yr-Aur” and the piano-centered stomp of “Boogie With Stu” were just a few examples of how wide the classic collection cast its net.

In fact, there was never a repetitive moment throughout the the 15-track masterpiece, which also included the subdued “Down By The Seaside,” a growling “Night Flight” and the psychedelic jam “Ten Years Gone,” on top of insightful and frequently humorous stories about “Bonzo.”

The younger Bonham and company intentionally saved the funky “Trampled Under Foot” and the hypnotic “Kashmir” until a little later, a point purists might mention changed the original running order, yet nonetheless contributed to a more climatic concert.

They were followed by the iconic bonuses “Whole Lotta Love” and “Rock And Roll,” which had the Hard Rock reveling in enough expert execution to surely make his father and their famous friends quite proud.

For additional information on Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, visit JasonBonham.net.

Upcoming shows at Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana include The Stray Cats (Nov. 1); Dane Cook (Nov. 8); Trivium (Nov. 14); Mike Epps (Nov. 22); Sting (Nov. 23); Freak On A Leash (Nov. 26); Heart (Dec. 6); Aaron Lewis (Dec. 12); Shaggy (Dec. 31); Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular (Jan. 18); Martin Lawrence (Jan. 24), Marlon Wayans (Mar. 6); Boy George & Culture Club (Mar. 7) and Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Apr. 24). For additional details, visit HardRockCasinoNorthernIndiana.com.

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