The Nikon Jones Beach Theatre in Wantagh was rockin’ on Thursday, June 27 for The Heartbreaker Tour with Heart and Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience.
But just how did this historical pairing come to be? 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Ann and Nancy Wilson first met Jason Bonham, son of late Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham, when they performed “Stairway to Heaven” together at the Kennedy Center Honors tribute to Led Zeppelin in December 2012. Due to an overwhelming response, they decided to tour together this summer hitting theatres around the U.S. from June to late August.
Although the forecast predicted heavy showers at the outdoor venue last Thursday, it didn’t dampen music fans’ enthusiasm when the artists hit the stage; luckily, the rain held off until the end. When Jason Bonham’s band performed, concert-goers were amazed at how incredibly close The Led Zeppelin Experience sounded like the real thing. Vocalist James Dylan did a dead-on Robert Plant. His phrasing and range when performing songs like “Rock and Roll,” Nobody’s Fault But Mine,” “Whole Lotta Love,” and “When The Levy Breaks” was just incredible. Jason Bohnam, in command of his super tight band the entire performance, was a powerful force behind the drum kit.
Towards the end of their set Bonham took the mike and commented while the crowd cheered, “This is my way and our way of telling my father how great we think he is. Thanks to you…from generation to generation…we’re handing the music down. There’s some very young fans here tonight with some slightly older ones…and some of you were conceived to Led Zeppelin!”
When the sun went down headliner Heart opened with the 70’s driving hit, “Barracuda.” Ann Wilson was dressed from head-to-toe in black while she rocked out and head-bopped her signature curly black mane while projecting her signature vocals. The clarity of her soulful voice resonated across the stadium as Nancy played her heart out on guitar. The sisters, arguably two of the most influential women in rock and roll, clearly haven’t lost their edge.
The set continued with the 80’s hit, “What About Love,” and Ann didn’t disappoint with the big ballad ending. Seventies hits “Crazy On You” and “Magic Man” had the crowd singing along as Ann worked the stage. Nancy’s sweet harmonies perfectly complemented her sister’s potent voice.
Ann then introduced Nancy as her, “Lovely lovely soul mate and partner in crime” before the fair-haired sibling took center stage and sang the Elton John song, “I Need You to Turn To” and then “These Dreams.” This time Ann took a turn on acoustic guitar and beautifully harmonized with Nancy. It started to drizzle, which only enhanced the song’s ethereal effect.
A deconstructed no-drums version of “Alone” followed as the blue-lit backdrop chain curtains swayed in the background. No one seemed to mind that the wind and rain continued to pick up. What followed was a dramatic, “Dear Old America,” introduced by Ann as a “…song dedicated to those ‘over there’…standing between us and danger," which was dedicated to their dad who was in the military. After the crowd then rose to its feet when hearing the first notes of Nancy’s famous opening guitar riff for “Crazy On You.”
The audience hung in there through the rain and was rewarded with an incredible version of Led Zeppelin’s “The Ballad of Evermore,” a great way to tie the two acts together during the finale. The Heartbreaker Tour continues until the end of August 31 with a final show in Seattle, Washington.