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The 'Zeppelin' has Landed

by Lynn Wallace

With dozens of tribute bands thirsty for a shot at capturing the various styles and sounds of America's most-loved rock gods, another cover band may seem like just another name on the bill. Standing next to groups like KISS Army (KISS), Street Survivors (Lynard Skynyrd), and Crazy Train (Ozzy Osbourne), one more re-creation may just appear to be another group of wannabe rockers. But for Zoso "The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience," this is scarcely the case.

Deemed the best tribute act in the state of California by L.A.'s Rock City News, Zoso has proven to be a well-known favorite by Led Zeppelin fans nationwide. The act has performed more than 1,400 shows in the last nine years, touring up and down the west coast three times and embarking on a 42-date tour of the Midwest in the fall of 1996. The band now plays around 180 shows per year at a variety of events nationwide.

Zoso is Matt Jernigan as lead singer Robert Plant, Mike Morgan as lead guitarist Jimmy Page, Adam Sandling as bassist John Paul Jones, and Greg Thompson as drummer John Bonham.

Gaining its name from the symbol found on Led Zeppelin's untitled fourth album, the band formed in L.A. in 1995. However, in the early years, Zoso was just like any other group of musicians hungry for a ticket into the music industry.

The quartet started out playing originals and struggling for a record deal. However, based on the music industry of the time, scoring a big break was unpromising and far-fetched. In an effort to bring something new to the table, the band's management suggested playing gigs as a tribute band.

The members of Zoso looked up to Led Zeppelin as a staple of rock 'n' roll and grew up listening to the band. The Zoso band members also possess an uncanny resemblance to its members, so they decided to run with the idea.

After close observation of Led Zeppelin photos, bootleg videos and the movie "The Song Remains the Same," the members of Zoso carefully studied and practiced the precise mannerisms and movements of the real deal. Jernigan and his band mates also use British accents on stage and Thompson performs with an authentic Ludwig drum kit identical to Bonham's - complete with a gong.

Zoso's primary aim is to recreate the original music of Led Zeppelin, with particular attention to the band's 1973-1975 era.

Despite mass criticism by the music industry and blatant brushes from Top 40 radio, Led Zeppelin was more than massive for its time, selling out entire stadiums and arenas in mere hours. However, throughout the band's career, it only garnered one big hit, "Whole Lotta Love," which peaked at No. 4 in 1969. Zeppelin's most famous song "Stairway to Heaven" (1971) was never even released as a single.

Led Zeppelin was never one to fit the mainstream, but nonetheless represented a true core of 1970s rock 'n' roll. Zoso strives to keep this element of "real" music alive today by continually breaking the barriers of conventional rock music. Through Zoso's eerily close resemblance and amazingly identical sound, the spirit of Led Zeppelin is at last reborn.