It takes a brave man to step into the shoes of a rock god, and even more to believe he can recreate a band that will trigger the same excitement in new fans and win over sceptics who love the originals.

But drummer James Hogg had that fire in his belly to bring back the sights and sounds of music heroes Led Zeppelin.

It all began in the summer of 95 when he put an advertisement in a London newspaper for musicians to join a tribute band. He got together his initial crew who called themselves Boot-Led-Zeppelin, with Luke Ward as vocalist. For a number of years and a number of line-up changes, James guided the band through the treacherous waters of pubs and clubs.

Along the way they perfected the intricacies of the Led Zeppelin sound and recorded a CD, Early Demos and Latter Gigs, but in 2000 the band split and James moved to Yorkshire. But the tenacity of drummers is well known and James was not going to let his dream die so, the following year he started his band from scratch, but still with Luke as lead singer.

In 2002 the band were asked to play at the annual Led Zeppelin Convention, but then followed the quiet years back in the pubs and clubs, until James came up with the idea of a more staged show, a theatrical experience, and so they took a chance, booking the Reading Concert Hall.

James said: “The show was a sell-out but it nearly never happened as the fire alarm went off just before the start, and the whole building had to be evacuated. Allegedly it was triggered by someone lighting a cigar in the non-smoking auditorium, this was before the smoking ban, but then everyone piled back in and it was a huge success - except the beer ran out.’’

From there the band seemed to gain more gravitas from the music industry gurus, and won gigs at a charity convention called Zep Express and a First Night of the Progs at Reading’s Hexagon Theatre.

At the Led Zeppelin’s reunion gig at the O2 Arena, Boot-Led were asked by Sky News and Channel 5 TV to entertain the crowds outside and give TV interviews before the show. The guys were also touring all over the world with their show, winning support from Radio One presenter Fearn Cotton and Radio Two’s Bob Harris.

More TV work appeared when they played on I Am In Rock ‘n’ Roll Band, hosted by Jonathan Ross. This year the guys have upped the stakes to a full theatre tour. On Friday, August 29 all the thunder roll guitars, laser show, pyrotechnics and the famous Violin Bow will be appearing on stage at the Wyvern Theatre from 7.30pm. Tickets are £20 from 01793 524481. - Flicky Harrison