FOUR STICKS - The Music of Led Zeppelin

Picture this: 1990, the Rock and Roll Cafe on Bleeker St in Greenwich Village, and Four Sticks bringing Zeppelin to life for sold out shows every Monday night for five straight years. Four Sticks, originally formed by drummer Tom Major while in NYC, was composed of guitarist Nunzio Signore and bassist Jack Dailey, similarly to Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, were all journeyman session musicians. With singer Rob Malave they began to play their now legendary Monday night residency in Greenwich Village at The Rock and Roll Cafe. Sharing a deep love for the music of Led Zeppelin, they brought the energy, vibe, and raw power of early Zeppelin to life. While most Zeppelin tribute acts focused on the “look”, Four Sticks focused on the music, with a goal to recreate the sound of the early days. Their talent and extended jams attracted the City’s pro musicians and soon Four Sticks Monday night shows became a “scene.”

Fast forward to 2018, missing the electricity of Zeppelin, Tom decided to reform Four Sticks in Berkshire County Ma, with local musicians, singer Chris Merenda, bassist Glenn Jubelii and guitarist Rob Sanzone. After quickly establishing a loyal following selling out their shows, the recreated Four Sticks began a monthly residency at The Egremont Barn,. In late 2020, after guitarist Sanzone moved to Maine, Tom called on Nunzio, his original guitar player from the 90’s, to come up to play the Berkshire shows. After a 25 year hiatus (and no rehearsal) Tom and Nunzio’s reunion instantly recreated the old magic they had from the Four Sticks Bleeker Street days. The obvious chemistry between them was infectious. This led to the idea of expanding beyond the Berkshires and taking the band out on the road as a unique “Led Zeppelin Tribute”.

Tom and Nunzio looking to take Four Sticks on the road, recruited the multi-talented bassist/keyboardist/vocalist Kevin Humphris to join them. Singer extraordinaire Ron Iglesias then stepped in, easily hitting those signature Robert Plant high notes with soul and an intensity matching the bands energy.  The line up was complete. With the addition of the keyboards, Four Sticks now recreates not only the early blues jamming days of Led Zeppelin, but now can cover the later, more epic keyboard heavy tunes like Kashmir as well. With the entire Zeppelin catalog now available to them, Four Sticks still focuses on the musicianship and creative improvisation that made a Led Zeppelin live show such a powerful force. While there are many good Led Zeppelin tributes on the scene today, few compare to the raw energy, deep groove and spirit Four Sticks brings to recreating the music.