Heart & Jason Bonham Experience

Jones Beach, NY, 6.27.13
by Bruce Alexander
Posted: Jul 2013
(2480) Page Views

Heart - photo by Bruce Alexander

This was a very special triple-hitter concert as The Jason Bonham Experience opened for Heart, and then ended the show with Heart doing Led Zeppelin songs with Jason Bonham on drums.

Opener Jason Bonham, taking after his late father John, put together one amazing band of musicians with a singer that sounded very much like Robert Plant. He had the pipes as well as the moves. Next, Heart, featuring the Wilson sisters, plunged right into their classic rocker, “Barracuda.” They followed it with “Heartless.” Ann then sang their 1980’s ballad, “What About Love”. It was the next song, “Magic Man”, that really had the crowd going as it brought back memories of the ‘70’s hard rock heyday. It’s quite fantastic that Nancy still rips that guitar and Ann still sings those high notes. They really turned the energy level up on “Kick It Out.” The band also played “Even It Up,” which is just what they do as two of the most amazing women leading their strong band. Ann’s voice also shined during their beautiful ballad “These Dreams,” which was a hit for them.

Heart have a new record out called “Fanatic,” and played a standout song from it called “Dear Old America,” dedicated to their Marine-serving father.

The set ended with “Crazy On You,” as the crowd went wild and crazy. Ann and Nancy returned for an encore, performing five Led Zeppelin covers with Jason Bonham on drums. They started with “The Battle Of Evermore” and ended with a rip-roaring “Stairway to Heaven.” Ann’s voice soars like Robert Plant. You can see why Heart were considered by some the female equivalent of Led Zeppelin. Who needs Page and Plant when you have Ann and Nancy, especially when they look foxier on stage than the old Zep dudes!