August 22, 2025
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Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening Plans Massive 70-Show Run to Mark Physical Graffiti 50th Anniversary

 

By Laura Adkins | August 21, 2025

 

When it comes to honoring the legacy of Led Zeppelin, no one carries the torch with more authenticity than Jason Bonham, the son of the band’s legendary drummer, John Bonham. This fall, Jason is taking that responsibility to a whole new level, announcing an expanded 70-show tour with Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic album Physical Graffiti.

 

What was originally envisioned as a symbolic “50 shows for 50 years” run has now ballooned into a sweeping 70-date trek across North America. The tour begins October 22 in Louisville, Kentucky, and will wrap in Hollywood, Florida, on November 26.

 

“For me, this isn’t just an album — it’s the album,” Bonham said in a statement reported by Blabbermouth. “Physical Graffiti has always been my ultimate Led Zeppelin record, and I set out to honor its 50th anniversary with 50 unforgettable shows. That vision now looks more like 70 shows!”

 

 

 

A Monumental Tribute

 

Each performance of Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening during the tour will recreate the entire double-album experience of Physical Graffiti. Fans can expect live renditions of staples such as Trampled Under Foot, Kashmir, and In My Time of Dying, alongside deep cuts that rarely get performed, like In the Light and Ten Years Gone.

 

Of course, no Zeppelin tribute is complete without classics from outside that album. The setlists will also feature songs like Good Times Bad Times, Whole Lotta Love, and Stairway to Heaven, ensuring the show appeals both to die-hard Zeppelin aficionados and casual fans alike.

 

Bonham leads a seasoned lineup:

 

Jimmy Sakurai on guitar, channeling Jimmy Page’s iconic tone and stage presence.

 

James Dylan on vocals, carrying the spirit of Robert Plant’s legendary range.

 

Dorian Heartsong on bass, covering John Paul Jones’ foundational grooves.

 

Alex Howland on keyboards, filling out the lush textures that defined Zeppelin’s sound.

 

 

On drums, Jason doesn’t just play — he connects directly with the legacy of his father. His presence behind the kit gives the tribute an unmatched level of authenticity.

 

 

 

From Vancouver to Florida and Beyond

 

This tour expansion comes after the band wrapped up a successful summer run that concluded in Vancouver on August 31. The fall leg will revisit key markets across the U.S. and Canada, including Detroit, Boston, Atlantic City, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Tampa, and Toronto, among many others.

 

Venues include a mix of historic theaters and Hard Rock Live venues, offering both intimate atmospheres and large-scale settings. Fans will pack The Louisville Palace Theatre, Massey Hall in Toronto, The Fillmore Detroit, and the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, to name a few.

 

Tickets are available through Jason Bonham’s official website, with a Live Nation presale beginning Thursday. Fans eager to secure seats early can use the presale code RHYTHM.

 

 

 

Why Physical Graffiti?

 

Released in February 1975, Physical Graffiti was the first album Led Zeppelin released on their own label, Swan Song Records. The sprawling double LP marked a turning point in their career, showcasing the band’s versatility with tracks ranging from heavy blues-rock to folk-inspired acoustics and even Middle Eastern-infused psychedelia.

 

The album shot straight to number one in both the United States and the United Kingdom, cementing Zeppelin’s dominance during the mid-1970s. In the U.S. alone, it has since been certified 16-times platinum, making it one of the most commercially successful rock albums of all time.

 

Songs like Kashmir became cultural touchstones, while deep cuts such as In the Light showcased the band’s experimental edge. For Jason Bonham, the album represents the heart of Zeppelin’s artistry and the ideal way to honor both his father’s contributions and the band’s enduring impact.

 

 

 

Carrying His Father’s Legacy

 

For Jason, this tour is deeply personal. His father, John “Bonzo” Bonham, remains one of the most revered drummers in rock history. John Bonham’s thunderous style and intricate rhythms were key to Led Zeppelin’s groundbreaking sound. Tragically, he died in 1980 at the age of 32, leading to the band’s dissolution.

 

Since then, Jason has made it his mission to keep his father’s spirit alive, while also establishing himself as a powerhouse drummer in his own right. Over the years, he’s performed with surviving Led Zeppelin members during reunion appearances, including the famed 2007 O2 Arena concert in London, which was later released as the Celebration Day film.

 

But Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening is more than just nostalgia. It’s a chance for Jason to interpret his father’s music for new generations while preserving its original integrity.

 

“Every night I get to sit behind the drums and feel that connection,” Jason has said in past interviews. “I’m honoring my dad, but I’m also honoring the band that changed the world.”

 

 

 

A Revival for Classic Rock

 

This announcement comes at a time when classic rock anniversaries are generating renewed excitement. In 2025 alone, Cheap Trick announced a fall U.S. and Japan tour, Green Day celebrated their transformation from punk rebels to global icons, and Jane’s Addiction made headlines with lineup changes.

 

Yet, Led Zeppelin remains in a league of its own. Their mystique, coupled with the rarity of official reunions, has left fans hungry for any opportunity to experience the music live. Jason Bonham’s project fills that void, delivering not just a tribute but a heartfelt extension of Zeppelin’s legacy.

 

Rock critics argue that Zeppelin’s music is uniquely timeless. Unlike other bands of the era, their blending of blues, folk, and experimental sounds transcends generational lines. Younger audiences, who may have first encountered Zeppelin through streaming platforms or pop culture references, are flocking to see Bonham’s show to experience the music in a communal setting.

 

 

 

What Fans Can Expect

 

The upcoming 70-show run promises to be more than just a concert — it’s a full-scale experience. Visuals, lighting, and stage production are all designed to evoke Zeppelin’s grand live shows of the 1970s.

 

The band has also teased the possibility of guest appearances in select cities, though no names have been confirmed. Given Jason’s deep connections in the rock world, surprise cameos remain a real possibility.

 

Merchandise for the tour will pay homage to Physical Graffiti’s iconic New York tenement cover art, with limited-edition posters, vinyl reissues, and anniversary apparel available at shows and online.

 

For longtime fans, the tour will be a trip back to 1975. For newcomers, it’s a rare chance to hear Physical Graffiti performed in its entirety by musicians dedicated to authenticity.

 

 

 

The Emotional Weight of 70 Shows

 

What began as a symbolic gesture — 50 shows for 50 years — has grown into a statement about the power of music across time. Expanding to 70 shows signals not just demand but also Jason’s willingness to go all in on this celebration.

 

Each performance is also an emotional exercise for Jason. Night after night, he revisits songs his father helped create, songs that defined an era of rock. Yet, rather than being weighed down by that responsibility, he embraces it as fuel.

 

Fans who have seen him before know that he often takes a moment during shows to project images of his father onto screens behind him, creating a powerful “duet across generations” moment that leaves audiences deeply moved.

 

 

 

Conclusion: A Tour for the Ages

 

As Jason Bonham prepares to kick off this ambitious 70-show tour, the excitement among rock fans is palpable. By dedicating this run to Physical Graffiti’s 50th anniversary, he is not only celebrating a milestone in Led Zeppelin’s career but also ensuring that the music continues to thrive in the present.

 

The tour stands as a reminder of the enduring power of Led Zeppelin, the universal language of rock, and the unbreakable bond between a father and son connected through rhythm and legacy.

 

For fans across North America, this fall offers a rare opportunity: to hear some of the greatest rock music ever written, performed with passion, precision, and authenticity. And for Jason Bonham, it is another step in cementing his role as both guardian and champion of the Zeppelin name.

 

The thunder of John Bonham may have been silenced in 1980, but through Jason, that beat goes on — louder than ever.

 

 

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