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Arcada features Led Zeppelin tribute band

by Eric Schelkopf

With his flowing mane of hair, Matt Jernigan bears more than a passing resemblance to famed Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant.

So perhaps fate was involved in Jernigan playing the part of Plant in a Led Zeppelin tribute band, ZOSO.

ZOSO formed in 1995 in Los Angeles, Calif., and has built a reputation as being the best Led Zeppelin tribute band in the country.

"Everybody says that we're the best in the land," Jernigan said.

ZOSO will perform at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles.

Tickets are $10. More information is available by calling (630) 845-8900 or at www.arcadatheatre.com.

The rest of ZOSO includes Jay Bobo as lead guitarist Jimmy Page, Greg Thompson as drummer John Bonham, and Adam Sandling as bass guitarist/keyboardist John Paul Jones.

ZOSO, the name itself a homage to Led Zeppelin (the band's fourth album cover was nicknamed Zoso by Led Zeppelin fans), has played more than 1,200 shows in the last seven years. Both fans and critics have raved about their performance, with one publication saying "you will swear you are front row center watching the original masters themselves."

Jernigan and his fellow bandmates care a lot about their fans.

"Led Zeppelin was a fan's band. They are the ones who support us," he said.

To get their parts exactly right, the members watched Led Zeppelin's concert film, "The Song Remains the Same."

"You have to grasp everyone's style. We watched it and applied it. It has become second nature for us," Jernigan said.

During their 2 hour, 10-minute show, expect to hear many of Led Zeppelin's hits including, "Whole Lotta Love," "Rock and Roll," and "Stairway to Heaven."

It's an honor for Jernigan to be able to perform the songs.

"We get to do songs that are classics. It is challenging for the band to duplicate them," he said. "The music is so challenging. We are fortunate guys in a fortunate situation."

ZOSO regularly performs for crowds of between 500 and 1,000 people. Jernigan has an idea why Led Zeppelin's music continues to be so popular.

"It's good music. It stands the test of time. Even the kids like it," he said.