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Led Freakin Zeppelin

Posted over 2 years ago
From "NME":http://www.nme.com/Led Zeppelin played a storming show at their first UK in 19 years at the 02 Arena in London tonight (December 10).The long-awaited performance was the headline slot at a tribute show for Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, who died earlier this year and was instrumental in building the band's career in the 1970s.Frontman Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones were joined by Jason Bonham on drums - son of John, the band's original drummer who died in 1980 signalling the end of the original band's 12-year career.There had been brief reformations before - including Live Aid in 1985 - but tonight was the first full set the group had played since headlining Knebworth in 1979.An estimated nine million people applied for the 18,000 tickets, and despite the quiet sound there was mass hysteria as the band performed their classics before a crowd including Paul McCartney, Oasis' Noel and Liam Gallagher, Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, Lulu, Arctic Monkeys, Kate Moss and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl.The 16 - song set kicked off at 9pm GMT prompt - included classics such as opener 'Good Times Bad Times', 'Kashmir', 'Ramble On', 'Black Dog', 'Dazed And Confused', 'Whole Lotta Love' and rousing closer 'Rock And Roll', during the second of two encores.There were also a few surprises thrown in - the disco funk of 'Trampled Under Foot' from 1975's 'Physical Graffiti' made an appearance, as did 'For Your Life' from 1976's 'Presence' - the first time the band have ever performed the track live.Plant spoke little during the show, but when he did it was mostly to pay tribute to Ertegun, who he said after first encore 'Whole Lotta Love' "ran the best label in the world" in Atlantic Records.After playing classic 'Stairway To Heaven' the singer exclaimed: "Ahmet, we did it!"He also said before 'For Your Life': "The past few weeks have been full of a thousand emotions for Ahmet, for bringing Jason (Bonham) in."He also individually introduced each other member of the band during the course of the two-hour performance.The four-piece, dressed almost entirely in black except for Page's white shirt, played in front of a massive video screen which featured straight shots of the band at first, but then exploded into psychedelic colours for 'Kashmir', the best received song of the evening.Before that track, Plant delcared: "There are people from 50 countries here. This is the 51st."Led Zeppelin played:'Good Times Bad Times''Ramble On''Black Dog''In My Time Of Dying''For Your Life''Trampled Under Foot''Nobody's Fault But Mine''No Quarter''Since I've Been Loving You''Dazed And Confused''Stairway To Heaven''The Song Remains The Same''Misty Mountain Hop''Kashmir''Whole Lotta Love''Rock And Roll'

Comments (6)

  1. Lester Jonze says More from "NME":http://www.nme.com/ You might think it couldn't possibly live up to expectation but, it transpires, the opposite is in fact true of Led Zeppelin's first public appearance in 19 years. They seem buoyed by the deafening roars that greet their every twitch tonight - everyone present in the O2 Arena is willing their performance to the realms of greatness. It's almost impossible to be subjective, to not be sucked in. It takes plant three songs before he offers a cursory "good evening". By the time they've blasted through an incendiary 'Good Times Bad Times', a dramatic 'Ramble On' and the stop start rhythms of Black Dog'. He needn't say anything. Next They launch into 'Nobody's Fault But Mine' and Zep are smiling at each other, only occupying about six foot of the enormous stage. You wouldn't believe this is a band who haven't played together for so long. They do No Quarter' and they're locked in as tight as if it were the 1970s. Only the close ups on the screen at the back give away their advanced years. Launchomh into a version of 'Dazed And Confused' that seems to last forever but every last second is enthralling. Jimmy Page is lit up by lasers and at the song's climax Robert Plant yells out "Jimmy Page on electric guitar!" in a moment the resonates right back to their first heyday. 'Stairway To Heaven' follows. Ridiculous in many ways yet it is a song that everyone present thought was fated to only be performed by dodgy pub covers bands and not again by its creators. Jimmy has the double headed guitar, bassist John Paul Jones is sat at a keyboard and Plant - contrary to the pre-gig rumours is singing beautifully. Playing this well known classic proves a shrewd move as it gently reminds everyone present just which, giant-sized rock band they're dealing with. The final half an hour is comprised of songs so omnipresent it's hard to make any sort of tangible judgement. 'Kashmir' finishes the main set sounding incredible the band take a bow and they're gone. Rapturous applause follows as you might expect but its nothing compared to the sheer mania that greets the first encore song 'Whole Lotta Love'. Not many bands have one of those, you see. The middle section veers into space rock territory any young band would be proud of and when that riff returns its well you know how it goes. Then Led Zep blast through a second encoure of 'Rock And Roll' - paying tribute to their old mentor and the reason this concert is taking place, Ahmet Ertegun, on the way - and, well again... you know how it goes. If there were sceptics here tonight - there weren't but just for the sake of argument consider it - Led Zeppelin silenced them and banished any rotten memories of their shambolic Live Aid reunion. More importantly though, what they have done here tonight is prove they can still perform to the level that originally earned them their legendary reputation. We can only hope this isn't the last we see of them
    Permalink posted 12/10/2007
  2. Lester Jonze says More still... Led Zeppelin reunion: the fans' verdict What did lucky ticket-holders think of the legends return? 36 minutes ago Led Zeppelin fans have been giving their verdicts on tonight's (December 10) long-awaited reunion show at the O2 Arena in London, speaking to NME.COM as they left the venue. Gig-goers have been unanimous in their praise for the band's performance, with many declaring it a once in a lifetime experience. "It was fantastic," said Colleen McCaughley, who had travelled from Belfast with her husband Stephen to watch the show: "The whole thing was an incredible moment. I saw Jimmy Page in Vancouver in the '70s and he looked fat. He looked better tonight, fantastic!" "Everybody loved it, it was worth the money, no question," added Stephen. Barry Sullivan, 21, from Merthr Tydvyll, said: "It was awesome. It couldn't have been better. I would have paid double, triple, even. They looked great. They know music." "It was breathtaking," explained Liz Perry, 47, from London. "It felt like an intimate gig. We were far back, but we felt part of it. Robert Plant's voice sounded amazing. Worth the money, no question." "'Kashmir# was wonderful. Jimmy looks a bit old now, but Robert Plant looked great," said John Trull, a 54-year-old Londoner. "I saw them in Bath in 1970. They were better then than now, but this was still amazing." "It was a good gig. The ultimate Zep gig. I saw them at Knebworth, and this was better. The voice is still there. And it wasn't raining," said "Chaz", who had travelled with his friend "Dave". Caroline Picker, 40, summed up the mood amongst fans. "The atmosphere was electric," she said. "I've only heard two songs before, but it felt amazing." "Robert has a lovely backside," added her friend, Dawn Angling.
    Permalink posted 12/10/2007
  3. Lyrikhan says i thought there was some quotes from Plant saying they were gonna play a song they wrote back in the 70s but never released....guess not glad to hear they still got it though...hope they come our way
    Permalink posted 12/10/2007
  4. FastRMacR says Like the gig - an awesome read here Lester. Since September rumblings and chat I've not been wanting to know anything until I saw a 'choice dvd' after the reviews were out. Now I know the review ... wouldn't have thought to recieve it anywhere else but here. Thanks man.
    Permalink posted 12/12/2007
  5. FastRMacR says (and I don't care if they tour - they shouldn't). They DAMN well have better recorded that performance ... with hammering, godlike-prowess. :)
    Permalink posted 12/12/2007
  6. Lyrikhan says there seemed to be some professional footage up on google video that got taken down so I'm pretty sure they recorded it all
    Permalink posted 12/12/2007

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