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Community => Watto's Junk Yard => Topic started by: Reid on February 14, 2007, 08:28 PM
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https://community.hottopic.com/buzz/default.asp?roi=echo4-1115414695-1200858&wt.mc_id=01ht021207 (https://community.hottopic.com/buzz/default.asp?roi=echo4-1115414695-1200858&wt.mc_id=01ht021207)
Led Zeppelin Reunite! - February 1st
Hey, it’s been a long time since [they] rock n’ rolled! The legendary Led Zeppelin are reuniting after a 20+ year hiatus. Robert Plant, 54, Jimmy Page, 58, and John Paul Jones, 56, met a couple weeks ago to discuss a reunion tour at stadiums throughout America. The band split in 1980 after the death of drummer John Bonham. Bonham’s son, Jason, is set to take his father’s post for the tour. Led Zeppelin still holds the record for the largest concert crowds. They are second to the Beatles in worldwide album sales. You do not want to miss this tour. So, show the guys a whole lotta love and grab some tickets. Dates and ticket info will be released at a later date. Stay tuned.
One word: Awesome!
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Think they'll play Stairway? I know they've refused to for years.
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Interesting. I saw Page & Plant tour behind their Unledded project. That was pretty solid, and the drummer they had was great. Still, they had a much larger touring band than Led Zeppelin during their heyday, and Page really didn't handle much of the guitar soloing. It was a good show, but it probably didn't compare to Led Zeppelin live in 1973.
Years later I saw John Paul Jones with his own band opening for King Crimson. They brought down the house! Jonesy played some obiligatory Zep tunes, and he actually sang, too. He did a really cool version of "That's the way". He ended up with this monstrous instrumental version of "When the levee breaks", and let me tell you, Crimson had a hard time following them too, and those guys are no slouches.
It's definitely intriguing to think of what a reunited Zeppelin would be like. But then I think of what a powerhouse drummer John Bonham was, and it would be difficult for anyone to follow him. As for his son? I saw him in that show on VH1 with Ted Nugent. The guy is in his mid 30's and he looks like a wreck!
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But then I think of what a powerhouse drummer John Bonham was, and it would be difficult for anyone to follow him. As for his son? I saw him in that show on VH1 with Ted Nugent. The guy is in his mid 30's and he looks like a wreck!
When your father is Bonham, you're excused, if not expected to be, a complete wreck. The guy was a God on the drums, even in the latter years, when he looked 5 minutes away from passing out and asphyxiating... I'd love to see a semi-Reunion.
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Having been a Zeppelin collector over 20 years I can state with pretty much 99.999(well you get the idea) that the words are nothing more than just words typed up on the web. Jimmy is currently working on a solo album, Robert Plant is going country (the Honeydrippers Volume Two is now canned due to the death of Ahmet) and Jones has moved on. Recently the Toronto based Q-107 had to basically post a message stating a rumor is false after a rumor was linked to Q-107.
I've met Jason Bonham. While his drumming style has improved over the years, I can only hope family life has led him to change from his offstage behavior his father had.
The surviving members have no reason to tour. To quote Jimmy Page "ever onward".
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
LEAD EDITOR
BLACK S. U. N.
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Update:
http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/thatsreallyweek/1545/sept-2-10-death-taxeszeppelin
OK, moving on to happier stories, such as...dancing days are here again, because the three surviving members of Led Zeppelin are finally getting back together! Yep, hard rock fans still dazed and confused by recent news of the long-delayed Van Halen reunion have even more reason to celebrate, now that this even longer-delayed reunion is reportedly in the works. Incredibly, according to NME.com, frontman Robert Plant is in talks this week with fellow Led Zep legends Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones about a Zeppelin tour that'll hopefully kick off in London this November. Presumably late drummer John Bonham's son, Jason Bonham (last seen banging skins for celebreality band Damnocracy on VH1's Supergroup), will fill in behind the drumkit for the Zep trek; since Damnocracy mouthpiece Sebastian Bach is busy trying to launch a hip-hop career on MTV's Celebrity Rap Superstars (more on that HERE), we're guessing Damnocracy are on indefinite hiatus and Jason will therefore thankfully be free...
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I'm a little skeptical, as there has been tons of reports that the members were "in talks"... Although, if it is true, it should be ******* amazing. Has anyone here recently seen Plant or Page live? I'm curious to hear if they still sound good.
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I couldnt get tickets the last time Plant played in the city but i heard he had a worship me attitude on stage. Thats just what i heard though, dont know for sure. As for the Zep reunion, i heard that they were actually shopping the tour to promoters already so i hope that its true.
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There's been much discussion on the Led Zeppelin newsgroup I subscribe to regarding this possible get together. One member who I respect after an administrator posted the news posted that the rumor is true. All sorts of angles are being researched. Jason Bonham is the drummer for Foreigner and upon review of their concert dates for October 2007 they have now been cancelled. Jason's now shown in a new Ludwig drums promotional poster sitting in front of a clear Vistalite style kit with his father's symbol shown on the bass drum head. Jason has been utilizing this style drum kit at Foreigner shows.
(http://www.drummerworld.com:80/pics/drumpics8/jasonbonham.jpg)
There's quite a bit of footage of Plant returning to his voice of old and is signing more powerful than he has in years. All surviving band members are said to be in the best shape they've been in years. John Paul Jones has been playing quite a bit and his version of "When The Levee Breaks" is an absolute monster to listen to.
According to what was posted on the New Musical Express website the gig is a charity gig being organized by promoter Harvey Goldsmith for November 2007 at the 02 in London. Of course, there's the flipside report that promoter Harvey Goldsmith has issued a statement warning fans not to fall victim to false sources claiming they have tickets available. Throw in the statement written on Harry Goldsmith's website in the blog stating that's there an "incredible" upcoming announcement and a reader will get a headache analyzing everything.
Of course with the upcoming November release of the "Early Days" and "Latter Days" revamped and now called "Mothership" along with "The Song Remains The Same" being reissued with songs not previously available on the original release in multiple package formats one has alot to think about.
Do the surviving band members have a reason to regroup? With all that's stated above yes. Will it happen? Time will tell.
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
LEAD EDITOR
BLACK S.U.N.
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Of course with the upcoming November release of the "Early Days" and "Latter Days" revamped and now called "Mothership" along with "The Song Remains The Same" being reissued with songs not previously available on the original release in multiple package formats one has alot to think about.
I haven't heard about this- details?
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Rather than hyperlink here's the write up:
LED ZEPPELIN: Double-CD Collection, Reissue Of 'The Song Remains The Same'
Due In November
On November 13, Atlantic Records/Rhino Entertainment will honor LED ZEPPELIN
with the release of "Mothership", a 24-track, two-CD comprehensive
collection that spans their illustrious career. All eight of the band's classic studio
albums are represented here, with the tracks being personally selected by
Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones. "Mothership" includes landmark
songs such as "Whole Lotta Love", "Immigrant Song", "Kashmir", "Rock And
Roll", "Dazed And Confused", "Stairway to Heaven". The set will also include new
liner notes. Available at all physical retail outlets and www.ledzeppelin.com,
"Mothership" collectible packages will be available in multiple
configurations:
* Standard Package – 2-CD set
* Deluxe Edition – 2-CD/ 1-DVD featuring the 90-minute, premiere-version of
the "Led Zeppelin" DVD (£12.20 SRP)
* Collector's Edition – 2-CD/1-DVD ultra-deluxe, collectible limited edition
* Vinyl Edition – 4 LPs, high-end, audiophile quality vinyl with collectible
memorabilia
"Mothership" Track Listing:
Disc One:
01. Good Times Bad Times
02. Communication Breakdown
03. Dazed And Confused
04. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
05. Whole Lotta Love
06. Ramble On
07. Heartbreaker
08. Immigrant Song
09. Since I've Been Loving You
10. Rock And Roll
11. Black Dog
12. When The Levee Breaks
13. Stairway To Heaven
Disc Two:
01. Song Remains The Same
02. Over The Hills And Far Away
03. D'Yer Maker
04. No Quarter
05. Trampled Under Foot
06. Houses Of The Holy
07. Kashmir
08. Nobody's Fault But Mine
09. Achilles Last Stand
10. In The Evening
11. All My Love
Slated for a simultaneous release, Warner Home Video debuts brand-new DVD
editions of "The Song Remains The Same", now for the first time with all 14
songs from the original concert. The DVD features newly remixed and remastered
sound, 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound, and boasts more than 40 minutes of
added bonus material, including never-before-released performance footage of
"Over The Hills And Far Away" and "Celebration Day"; plus performances of
"Misty Mountain Hop" and "The Ocean"; a rare 1976 BBC interview with Robert Plant
and Jimmy Page; vintage TV footage from the Drake Hotel robbery during the
New York concert stand; and a Cameron Crowe radio show.
The discs will be available as follows:
* Deluxe Edition DVD
* Deluxe Edition HD DVD and Blu-ray
* Limited Collector's Edition – 2-disc set includes collectible vintage
T-shirt with original album artwork design, soundtrack CD, lobby cards,
reproductions of original premiere invites, tour schedule, and more
"We have revisited 'The Song Remains The Same'," says Jimmy Page, "and can
now offer the complete set as played at Madison Square Garden. This differs
substantially from the original soundtrack released in 1976, and highlights the
technical prowess of Kevin Shirley, who worked with us on 'How The West Was
Won'. When it comes to 'The Song Remains The Same', the expansion of the DVD
and soundtrack are as good as it gets on the LED ZEPPELIN wish list."
"The Song Remains The Same" track listing:
Disc One:
01. Rock And Roll
02. Celebration Day
03. Black Dog (including Bring It On Home)*
04. Over The Hills*
05. Misty Mountain Hop*
06. Since I've Been Loving You*
07. No Quarter
08. The Song Remains The Same
09. Rain Song
10. The Ocean*
Disc Two:
01. Dazed And Confused
02. Stairway To Heaven
03. Moby Dick
04. Heartbreaker*
05. Whole Lotta Love
* Not on original soundtrack release
The cover art for TSRTS reissue is based off of the poster and can be seen here:
http://www.amazon.com/Song-Remains-Same-Led-Zeppelin/dp/B000UR9TQE/ref=pd_bxgy_d_img_b/103-2932698-7761435?ie=UTF8&qid=1188093453&sr=8-4 (http://www.amazon.com/Song-Remains-Same-Led-Zeppelin/dp/B000UR9TQE/ref=pd_bxgy_d_img_b/103-2932698-7761435?ie=UTF8&qid=1188093453&sr=8-4)
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
LEAD EDITOR
BLACK S.U.N.
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Thanks. I'll definitely have to pick the 2-disc Song Remains The Same, as I have been looking for the DVD for a while now.
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Wow. It seems like it might actually happen. I personally can't see a full world tour happening, but stranger things have happened. And Jonesy's version of "When the levee breaks" is absolutely monstrous. Sems Fir is right on, there. Plus he's been actively playing this summer. He was at this year's Coachella festival. I saw some video of him on youtube with Ben Harper that was pretty tight.
I heard that the deal with Unledded, and why it didn't include John Paul Jones, was all about money. Which is absolutely criminal because he was the glue that held Led Zeppelin together musically. Sure, the musicians who went on tour with Page and Plant were very capable. They even got a drummer who could basically play a John Bonham impression. But they didn't swing the way Zeppelin did. The rhythm section was much stiffer than Bonham and Jones ever were. Maybe Jimmy Page and Robert Plant learned their lesson?
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If you can, hit youtube for Bonnaroo and JPJ! As far as I know Plant leaving after the 1998 tour wasn't due to money. Page is on record stating he would've attempted to bring JPJ into the fold, but one has to remember that Robert's son in law has been his bass player since Robert's Now and Zen Non Stop Go tour. The only money problems I recall was after the 1995 tour when the Pharaohs were complaining about money.
Musically, Charlie Jones and Michael Lee don't cut it for Zeppelin fans. I've been a drummer for over twenty years and while Michael is a good drummer he's limited (at least to me). If you watch his playing style his hands are straight and stiff, unlike Bonzo who just used his wrists. JPJ in 1990 on the MTV Rockumentary elaborates on this all too familiar style. Both Charlie and Michael played the same thing every night (which is common nowadays). There's no breathing from the rhythm section (at least from Charlie and Michael).
For me, personally part of the problem with today's music is that the musicians have no idea how to play their instrument and expand into new boundaries. This is in part thanks to technology, which hides the fact that the musician can't play. In the old days it was studio musicians. I'll refrain posting my opinion on the current state of the music industry. I'll just state before it was the music business. Now it's the record industry. Big difference.
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
LEAD EDITOR
BLACK S.U.N.
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Duhhh... I meant to say Bonnaroo in my post. The clips should still be up on youtube of JPJ with Ben Harper and others.
I'm totally there with you on the musicianship of Jones and Bonham compared with the guys who were on tour for Unledded. It was like night and day. Sure, those guys knew the tunes, but they had nowhere near the musical foundation of Jonesy and Bonzo.
John Paul Jones is probably one of the closest rock disciples of Motown bassist James Jamerson, and the bass playing community considers Jamerson to be one of the first virtuoso players on the instrument. Throw in his experience as a London session player and arranger and he has a musical leg up on a lot of other bassists. Jonesy has been a huge influence on my own bass playing over the years. And even nearly 40 years after that first record came out, he still continues to surprise me.
As for Bonzo? They have been very few like him at all. He combined the swing of a lot of soul drummers with raw, unadulterated power. And knowing that so much of it was just from wrist action is even more impressive. He was the engine that kept that band going. His son has a lot to live up to in that regard.
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Looks like it's a one shot deal.
Led Zeppelin to play reunion gig in London (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20739983/)
Legendary rock band broke up in 1980; no tour — just one show planned
LONDON - Led Zeppelin will perform a one-time comeback concert in memory of Ahmet Ertegun, a co-founder of Atlantic Records.
The band will perform together for the first time in 19 years on Nov. 26, at London’s The O2 venue, on the banks of the River Thames.
Promoters said the concert would pay tribute to Ertegun — the label boss who popularized Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Led Zeppelin — who died in December at age 83.
“During the Zeppelin years, Ahmet Ertegun was a major foundation of solidarity and accord,” said Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant. “For us he was Atlantic Records and remained a close friend and conspirator.”
Ertegun, who co-founded the Atlantic Records label with Herb Abramson, signed Plant’s band in 1968 and later snapped up the Rolling Stones.
Led Zeppelin’s remaining original members Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones will headline the concert with late drummer John Bonham’s son, Jason, on drums, organizers said Wednesday.
The quartet is expected to perform a full set lasting up to two hours.
Promoter Harvey Goldsmith said Led Zeppelin would play one show only and there was no commitment or discussion of playing beyond that.
The Who’s Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman, Foreigner and young Scottish singer Paolo Nutini — the last British act Ertegun signed — will also play at the tribute concert.
All proceeds will go to the Ahmet Ertegun Education Fund to establish music scholarships for students at institutions in Britain, the United States and Turkey, Goldsmith said.
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I hope they record the thing and make a CD.
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I hope they record the thing and make a CD.
My thoughts exactly. Maybe a live DVD too.
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If one report I have read holds true, Harvey stated they may do more than a one shot. I wonder if they could ever possibly find that "one note" as Robert stated in a past interview that they'll revisit. Again time will tell.
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
LEAD EDITOR
BLACK S.U.N.
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20 million people registered for the lottery the first day. :o Thats insane. If i thought i could afford the trip i would enter as well.
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I'll skip over the demand causing the server to crash! ;D There's numerous fans posting problems that have come to light while attempting to register. There also appears to be entertainment changes occuring as well. November is a busy music month this year. If I obtain any interesting information I'll pass it along.
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
LEAD EDITOR
BLACK S.U.N.
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Just for reference, here's the (supposed) cover art and tracklisting for the "Mothership" 2-disc set...
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/83/67/bbb5793509a0e845f9615110._AA240_.L.gif)
Disc One
1. Good Times Bad Times
2. Communication Breakdown
3. Dazed And Confused
4. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
5. Whole Lotta Love
6. Ramble On
7. Heartbreaker
8. Immigrant Song
9. Since I've Been Loving You
10. Rock And Roll
11. Black Dog
12. When The Levee Breaks
13. Stairway To Heaven
Disc Two
1. Song Remains The Same
2. Over The Hills And Far Away
3. D'Yer Maker
4. No Quarter
5. Trampled Under Foot
6. Houses Of The Holy
7. Kashmir
8. Nobody's Fault But Mine
9. Achilles Last Stand
10. In The Evening
11. All My Love
And here's the DVD cover for the "Song Remains The Same" re-release...
(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lWoQHOfAL._SS500_.jpg)
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I will probably go with Song Remains but pass on Mothership
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I will probably go with Song Remains but pass on Mothership
Same here. I might get that 4-LP of Mothership if I find it, just to add some Zeppelin to my paltry vinyl collection.
I hope they keep the dream sequences on TSRTS. Judging by the DVD art, it looks like they are. That was the best (and cheesiest) part of the movie. ;)
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If you like the fantasy parts of the movie, search out the "First Cuts". You'll see alternate footage. For example, Robert Plant's sequence is quite different than what was finally released. Included in his sequence is more footage of him with his ex wife Maureen.
For Zeppelin, the vinyl will always be superior in sound quality when compared to the cd's because they were recorded analog not digital. While Kevin Shirley is a genius when doing the sound for the Zeppelin releases today, nothing compares to the sound on vinyl.
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
LEAD EDITOR
BLACK S.U.N.
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Just an update to anyone interested. The concert has been delayed until December 10th due to Jimmy Page breaking a finger (I sense a '75 tour moment here).
The three finger guitar technique will not be utilized this time in favor of a recovery.
Ever onward.
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
LEAD EDITOR
BLACK S. U. N.
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That stinks. Any word if they'll release a live CD/DVD? I also heard they were working on new studio material. Is that true?
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I was originally planning on getting only the 2-disc Special Edition of TSRTS, but I splurged and pre-ordered the $30 "Limited Collector's Edition" off Amazon.
For anybody that's interested, here's what you get with the Collectors Edition...
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51aoa2QTcBL._SS400_.jpg)
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Hi Reid,
I apologize for not responding earlier. Rumors abound about the remaining members all the time. Right now, I've heard the JPJ and Robert are just performing at the charity gig and then moving on. Then again, on FBO there was the mention of 10 dates on reserve at Giants stadium in '08. I haven't heard of new studio material. In addition, there was mentions that they weren't going to audio or video tape the show which caused a petition to be created. I've also heard other acts on the bill are doing both, so it seems like the show will be taped in some capacity as it makes sense. If not pro shot, then I'm sure numerous audience members will both audio and video tape the event.
Since I've collected Zep for over 20 years now, I'll end up obtaining an example of everything just to have for the collection. The collectors edition is a neat package. There's various reviews of how the material sounds all over the place. I'll compare the new package with the bootlegs and with the Garden Tapes reviews to see what's been altered.
If you have any questions or are looking for anything audio or video related feel free to drop me a line. There's some cool websites to check out. If you'd like some sites to check out let me know. By the way nice avatar!
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
LEAD EDITOR
BLACK S. U. N.
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Stairway to Stardom: If Led Zeppelin reunites, will they play the song that almost destroyed them? | Slate (http://www.slate.com/id/2179112/nav/ais/)
Led Zeppelin, which is reuniting for a one-off charity gig in London on Dec. 10, appears to be positioning itself to make the Biggest News in the History of Rock: a new album and world tour—a prospect described by Billboard's Ray Waddell as "like twenty Super Bowls rolled into one." While there are still many obstacles to a Zeppelin tour, the most vexing may be that Robert Plant will have to overcome his reluctance to sing the song that has done the most damage to the band. Yes, "Stairway to Heaven."
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It is also, as many of you may be aware, the cover story of last week's Rolling Stone.
(http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/2/0/4/9/17439402.jpg)
Excerpt (http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17448308/the_return_of_led_zeppelin)
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There's also a troika of articles dedicated to each of the surviving members of Led Zeppelin in the most recent issue of Mojo (http://blog.mojo4music.com/blog/2007/11/mojo_hendrix_and_the_summer_of.html). I read some of the John Paul Jones excerpt. It was interesting to see him totally bash their former tour manager, Richard Cole for his book Stairway To Heaven.
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Stairway to Stardom: If Led Zeppelin reunites, will they play the song that almost destroyed them? | Slate (http://www.slate.com/id/2179112/nav/ais/)
Led Zeppelin, which is reuniting for a one-off charity gig in London on Dec. 10, appears to be positioning itself to make the Biggest News in the History of Rock: a new album and world tour—a prospect described by Billboard's Ray Waddell as "like twenty Super Bowls rolled into one." While there are still many obstacles to a Zeppelin tour, the most vexing may be that Robert Plant will have to overcome his reluctance to sing the song that has done the most damage to the band. Yes, "Stairway to Heaven."
I can't imagine they wouldn't play the song. Also, while we're on the subject, what would be your dream set list for the concert? 15 song limit. Mine is as follows...
01. Black Dog
02. I Can't Quit You Baby
03. No Quarter
04. Kashmir
05. Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp
06. Celebration Day
07. Since I've Been Loving You
08. Communication Breakdown
09. Dazed And Confused
10. Whole Lotta Love
11. The Rain Song
12. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
13. How Many More Times
14. Rock And Roll
15. Stairway To Heaven
If the rumors are true, I can't wait for the tour plus album. Tickets will be a pain to get though.
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I dunno. I'm not ready to fork over $500 for a ticket in the nosebleeds (assuming I could even score one), but at the same time I'd be kicking myself for the rest of my life if I didn't at least make some attempt. I mean the tickets will sell out within seconds of going on sale and people will be scalping the everloving **** out of 'em. And you thought Hannah Montana tickets were rough. ::)
Kind of a no-win for me ... it would be too bad if they don't tour (although I really wouldn't blame them) but at the same time it would suck if they did tour and I couldn't get in.
Either way, I'd dearly love to see Zep go back on tour, own asses, and stomp all over the mummified Rolling Stones and their "Yet Another Year Closer To Death Tour XII" or whatever the **** it is they're on now.
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Read the text about half way down. ;D
http://www.mtv.ca:80/news/article.jhtml?id=5678 (http://www.mtv.ca:80/news/article.jhtml?id=5678)
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
LEAD EDITOR
BLACK S. U. N.
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"AHMET ERTEGUN TRIBUTE CONCERT TO COME OUT ON DVD. Good news for the millions of people who want to go to the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert on Monday, but aren't able to - the event will be recorded for a DVD release. The show, which pays tribute to the Atlantic Records co-founder, will feature performances from Foreigner, Paul Rodgers, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts and, most notably, a reunited Led Zeppelin. There's no word on when the DVD will hit shelves"
I think we all knew that would happen--it's too historic not to be recorded, and it's too much of a cash cow to not release on DVD--but it's still nice to see confirmation.
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Yes! Although I knew it was coming eventually. But I agree, nice to see a confirmation.
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The Ahmet Ertegun tribute was tonight in London. Check out THIS PRELIMINARY REVIEW (http://www.nme.com/news/led-zeppelin/33079) of the gig.
Led Zeppelin reunion: the review
The first opinion from NME.COM's critic at the O2 Arena
1 hour ago
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.
Hamish MacBain, NME Live Editor
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'
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I am incredibly relieved to hear it did not suck. Not that I thought it would, but there was always in the back of my mind, as I'm sure it was in most of yours, a fear that they would turn out to be a sorry shadow of their former selves and we'd end up wishing they'd let the Zep legend lie in peace. Good to hear this was not the case.
I wonder how long til video gets out?
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It looks like "Black Dog" is the only snippet that's been officially released, since it's shown up in multiple YouTube videos of news reports. Here's the best one. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hz9V8e1YJgM) Page looks bloody freaky with that Einstein hair, but I gotta say the beard looks awesome on Plant ... he's starting to look kind of like Billy Connolly though (http://www.rockandrollreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/plant.jpg). ;)
This is the best of the pirated vids I've seen so far: "Kashmir" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZxukPZ0pjA&NR=1) ... like they never freakin left. Sound gets a little dodgy toward the end though.
And Snippet of "Good Times Bad Times" (http://youtube.com/watch?v=wvfcOJZnDLM) ... sound quality crummy but it is what it is.
"Rock and Roll" (http://youtube.com/watch?v=lKdJ2NEvD3A)
"Whole Lotta Love" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE_azOraU34&NR=1) ... can't hear much from this one though.
And a pretty ****** clip of "Stairway" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDAhSFaHg6I&NR=1). The recording quality is ass, but I still got chills. I am such a nerd.
Get 'em before they're pulled!
Also, photo gallery from Rolling Stone. (http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/17592369/led_zeppelin_returns_photos_from/1) Some pics are from rehearsals.
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I was very much let down by the vocals on Black Dog. I am at work and cant check out the other clips but sad so far. :-[
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They transposed the keys on the songs down by about one whole tone. Plant's voice can't hit those same high notes anymore. That's actually a natural occurrence with voices. As people age their vocal range tends to diminish.
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They transposed the keys on the songs down by about one whole tone. Plant's voice can't hit those same high notes anymore. That's actually a natural occurrence with voices. As people age their vocal range tends to diminish.
I understand that, its just worse than i was expecting.
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Good to hear the show was great, hopefully this bodes well for a '08 tour.
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Unfortunately, my pc's audio and video card are shot and I can't view or hear anything. Oh well, I'm going to be obtaining a copy of the show. There's so much on the net a quick search will reveal some good material.
Another memorable night for the aging dinosaurs! ;D
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
LEAD EDITOR
BLACK S. U. N.
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Ok so it seems that Black Dog was just terrible. The rest of the clips i heard sound so much better including Stairway. I take it back, but Black Dog still sounds horrible.
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"Kashmir" sounded pretty good. I think it's still somewhat within Plant's range, so you might want to check that out, too.
Kashmir (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZxukPZ0pjA) as performed last night:
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I'd have to rummage through the reports and emails from attendees of the show that are in my email inbox, but I believe (don't quote me though) there were some technical problems during this time period of the show, causing the sound to be off. Plus the acoustics of the venue, and whatever or however the audio source was recording are playing a factor. If I catch any information to explain what your hearing I'll post it here.
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
LEAD EDITOR
BLACK S. U. N.
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Kashmir does sound good, Stairway to Heaven (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFS4RZEuPVg) #1 baby!
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Stairway!! (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y151/ValinKenobi/Forums/woohoo.gif)
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Man, I'm torn on Stairway. I'd love to hear it, but I'd much rather hear it the first time from the professional recording on the concert DVD...
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I was thinking the same thing, but I have neither patience nor self-control. :P Plus we don't even have an estimated release date for the DVD yet ... it could be a while.
Most of the clips are lousy quality, but the Stairway one that Dale linked to is surprisingly good.
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NY Times review (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/12/arts/music/12zepp.html), reposting here because they are douches and it will be in the members-only archive soon.
"By BEN RATLIFF
Published: December 12, 2007
LONDON — Some rock bands accelerate their tempos when they perform their old songs decades after the fact. Playing fast is a kind of armor: a refutation of the plain reality of aging — all that unregainable enthusiasm and lost muscle mass — and a hard block against a band’s lessened cultural importance.
But Led Zeppelin slowed its pace down a little. At the O2 arena here on Monday night, in its first full concert since 1980 — without John Bonham, who died that year, but with his son, Jason, as a natural substitute — the band found much of its former power in tempos that were more graceful than those on the old live recordings. The speed of the songs ran closer to that on the group’s studio records, or slower yet. “Good Times Bad Times,” “Misty Mountain Hop” and “Whole Lotta Love” were confident, easy cruises; “Dazed and Confused” was a glorious doom-crawl.
It all goes back to the blues, where oozing gracefully is a virtue, and from which Led Zeppelin initially got half its ideas. The band’s singer, Robert Plant, doesn’t want you to forget that: He introduced “Trampled Under Foot” by explaining its connection to Robert Johnson’s “Terraplane Blues,” and mentioned Blind Willie Johnson as the inspiration for “Nobody’s Fault but Mine.” (Beyond that, the band spent 10 luxuriant minutes each in two other blues songs from its back catalog: “Since I Been Loving You” and “In My Time of Dying.”)
Ahmet Ertegun, to whom the concert was dedicated, would have been satisfied, sure as he was of the centrality of Southern black music to American culture. Mr. Ertegun, who died last year, signed Led Zeppelin to Atlantic Records; the show was a one-off benefit for the Ahmet Ertegun Education Fund, which will offer music students scholarships to universities in the United States, England and Turkey, his homeland.
By the end of Zeppelin’s more-than-two-hour show, it was already hard to remember that anyone else had been on the bill. But the band was preceded by Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings — a good-timey rhythm-and-blues show with revolving singers including Paolo Nutini and Albert Lee, as well as a few songs each by Paul Rodgers (of Free and Bad Company) and Foreigner — who all had recorded for Atlantic under Mr. Ertegun.
There was a kind of loud serenity about Led Zeppelin’s set. It was well rehearsed, for one thing: Planning and practice have been under way since May. The band members wore mostly black clothes instead of their old candy-colored wardrobes. Unlike Mick Jagger, Mr. Plant — the youngest of the original members, at 59 — doesn’t walk and gesture like an excited woman anymore. Some of the top of his voice has gone, but except for one attempted and failed high note in “Stairway to Heaven” (“There walks a la-dy we all know ...”), he found other melodic routes to suit him. He was authoritative; he was dignified.
As for Jimmy Page, his guitar solos weren’t as frenetic and articulated as they used to be, but that only drove home the point that they were always secondary to the riffs, which on Monday were enormous, nasty, glorious. (He did produce a violin bow for his solo on “Dazed and Confused” during that song’s great, spooky middle section.)
John Paul Jones’s bass lines got a little lost in the hall’s acoustics — like all such places, the 22,000-seat O2 arena is rough on low frequencies — but he was thoroughly in the pocket with Jason Bonham; when he sat down to play keyboards on “Kashmir” and “No Quarter” and a few others, he simultaneously operated bass pedals with his feet, keeping to that same far-behind-the-beat groove.
And what of Jason Bonham, the big question mark of what has been — there’s no way to prove this scientifically, but let’s just round it off — the most anticipated rock reunion in an era full of them? He is an expert on his father’s beats, an encyclopedia of all their variations on all the existing recordings. And apart from some small places where he added a few strokes, he stuck to the sound and feel of the original. The smacks of the snare drum didn’t have exactly the same timbre, that barbarous, reverberant sound. But as the show got into its second hour, and a few of the sound problems were gradually corrected, you found yourself not worrying about it anymore. It was all working.
Led Zeppelin has semi-reunited a few times in the past, with not much success: short, problematic sets at Live Aid in 1985 and at Atlantic Records’ 40th anniversary concert in 1988. But this was a reunion that the band had invested in, despite the fact that there are no plans yet for a future tour; among its 16 songs was one it had never played live before: “For Your Life,” from the album “Presence.”
The excitement in the hall felt extreme, and genuine; the crowd roars between encores were ravenous. At the end of it all, as the three original members took a bow, Mr. Bonham knelt before them and genuflected."
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Time magazine review (http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1693348,00.html)
"By HUGH PORTER/LONDON
Monday, Dec. 10, 2007
It was the most anticipated event in recent rock history. In September, the surviving members of Led Zeppelin announced that they would reunite for a one-time-only tribute concert for Ahmet Ertegun, the founder of Atlantic Records, in the group's first headline show since it disbanded in the wake of drummer John Bonham's death in 1980. Over the intervening three months, the level of expectation and suspense had reached proportions as colossal as any of Zeppelin's bombastic rock anthems. And at 9pm on Monday evening at London's O2 arena, Jason Bonham struck the first beat of "Good Times, Bad Times," launching his father's former bandmates, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Robert Plant, on an electrifying two-hour-and-10-minute tour through the peaks of the band's 12-year career.
Dressed in black — perhaps to lay to rest the ghosts of clumsy reunions past (members briefly regrouped for 1985's Live Aid concert and the 1988 Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary) — Zeppelin seemed to pull together and pull it off. Early technical issues (including a muddy struggle through the quiet bits of "Ramble On" were resolved and forgotten by the next song, "Black Dog," as the band warmed to their task and timing. The international crowd of all ages — OK, predominantly balding baby boomers — were in their element. Gleeful fifty-something execs with no more outward display of rock n' roll than an open collar mixed with kids in vintage Led Zeppelin T-shirts and studded belts; parents rocked out with their kids. If the crowd's attitude was akin to worship it's no surprise: the event was a pilgrimage, with fans flying in from over 50 countries around the world (although American accents predominated in the former Millennium Dome's bars and restaurants before the show).
To call the concert eagerly anticipated would be an understatement. One million people registered for a lottery to buy the 18,000 $255 tickets — which subsequently became some of the most expensive ever sold on the secondary market, going for around $2,000 each. A 25-year-old man from Scotland — not even born when Zeppelin split — spent $170,000 for a pair in a charity auction. Ticket-holders started lining up outside the arena on Friday, sleeping outdoors in the December chill just to get a choice spot in front of the stage when the gates opened. Even ticketless fans felt compelled to do something — anything — Zep-related to mark the reunion. One Oxfordshire hotel ran a luxury Led Zeppelin weekend, offering guests "TV's to defenestrate" and a menu of red snapper (in tribute to the band's legendary seafood-and-groupie incident). Theaters around the U.K. — including one under O2's canvas roof — screened old Zeppelin concert footage, as did network television.
But in the South London arena, it was just like days of old, albeit with a few changes. Where once lighters flickered in appreciation, there was now a sea of tiny screens as the crowd held their camera-phones high. Robert Plant kept his shirt buttoned, while his pants were fitted rather than spray-on tight. His once-blond mane was graying and his craggy features lent him the appearance of a Tolkeinesque wizard; Jimmy Page's hair was flowing white instead of dark and unruly. And while thankfully his embroidered silk bell-bottomed suit didn't make an appearance, his violin bow did, for the solo on "Dazed and Confused," as the crowd, a bit old for headbanging, nodded furiously in time. And when Page pulled out his double-necked guitar, the camera-phones came out again, for it meant only one thing: "Stairway to Heaven." At that moment it was all right to indulge in the threadbare rock radio staple; live, the experience was spine-tingling. The band closed the set with a powerful version of "Kashmir"; minutes later a deafening roar greeted the encores "Whole Lotta Love" and "Rock And Roll." There were no acoustic ballads, no half-hour guitar solos, and Jason Bonham wasn't asked to emulate his father's drum-solo slogs — "Moby Dick" had to make way for the hits, obviously. But the show was a triumph, and will surely fuel calls for a full tour next year (a rumor the band won't confirm).
It's sometimes easy to forget how huge Led Zeppelin in their prime really were: the group has sold over 300 million albums to date, and their last two U.K. concerts before Bonham's death, at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire in 1979, drew an estimated 400,000 people. By that point, punk was rebelling against the excesses that Zeppelin embodied and that Spinal Tap were soon to lampoon. But passion for Zeppelin's fierce rhythm and blues and accomplished musicianship endures. After all, it's been a long time since we rock and rolled. And Monday night was a triumphant reminder of that."
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I could provide a ton of links to various quality material. I'd have to go through what's been shown above so far. The complete show is up on a couple of torrent sites, but since my pc is shot from a flood a couple of years ago, I'm going to wait for a trade or a tree of the show. It's out there. ;D
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
LEAD EDITOR
BLACK S. U. N.
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i am surprised how excited everyone is about a possible zep reunion. i guess when plant/page did the whole no quarter thing you knew they were going to kinda mess up the songs, so interest was comparatively low.
i guess nostalgia is in style... i never would have guess everyone would go so crazy for the police either.
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I was thinking the same thing, but I have neither patience nor self-control. :P Plus we don't even have an estimated release date for the DVD yet ... it could be a while.
I think which ever company releases the DVD will try to cash in on the hype and press as soon as possible. I could see May being the earliest release date, though the most likely is July or August. On a non-reunion related note, I received my Song Remains The Same: Collector's Edition DVD yesterday. Pretty decent deal for $30, though the included t-shirt is wrapping paper thin.
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It would have to be before May. The hype will have completely died off by then--assuming that they don't go on tour which I don't really think they will at this point.
How long does a concert DVD usually take? I have no frame of reference here. Logistically I'm sure they could have it out long before May if they wanted to. The question is when it would make the biggest splash and the most money.
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Well, Bill, it looks like the choice is now out of your hands since all the YouTube clips are gone. :'(
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Yeah, looks like the internet copyright cops were out.
Led Zeppelin Live Clips Vanish From YouTube (http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003684579)
It is believed a DVD of the event, which served as a tribute to late Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, will be released next year.
All in time.
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sources close to the situation say that Led Zeppelin owns the rights to the concert, and that the band's management requested the removal of any clips of the event.
In these cases I often wonder if the band thesmelves really care, or if it's just the legal eagles looking to protect 'Teh Int3ll3ctual Propertyz'. It's not like Zeppelin is short on money. And it's not like these clips will cut into the DVD sales ... the thing is going to sell millions of copies for ****'s sakes and if anything such clips only increase anticipation (I know it did for me).
On the other hand, maybe they don't want the ****** recording quality of most of these clips to taint the quality of the performances themselves. In other words they don't want the material out there in a ****** format, and that's fair enough I would say. Releasing a few high-quality previews on the official Zeppelin site or WMG's site would go a long way in undercutting crummy pirated footage. (http://media.ign.com/boardfaces/51.gif)
On a somewhat cheerier note, I wonder if a portion of the DVD sales will go to whatever charity the concert was supposed to benefit.
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It's not totally unexpected that the clips would get pulled offline. Zeppelin's late manager, Peter Grant, was incredibly protective of the band and their rights. He was even known for going into record shops and personally confiscating Zep bootlegs back in the day. This seems like the modern embodiment of the way he did business and represented the band.
The cell phone videos aren't going to eat into DVD sales by a longshot. I think the band's concern is more about the quality of the sounds and images and their desire to give the fans a proper presentation...and to get paid.
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Actually I was surprised they stayed up as long as they did. Maybe they wanted to wait for everyone to post what they were going to, before they bothered sending out the warning.
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And all the YouTube clips are back up again. Whudafxup? (http://cheesebuerger.de/images/smilie/konfus/c010.gif)
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Well thar ya be! ::)
Led Zeppelin YouTube Culprit: Overeager "Bootbusters" (http://www.alleyinsider.com/2007/12/led-zeppelin-youtube-culprit-overeager-bootbusters.html)
The Case Of The Missing Zeppelin (http://www.pollstar.com/news/viewnews.pl?NewsID=8957)
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lolz
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Clips from the instant classic concert that took place on December 10, 2007 at London's O2 Arena. (http://www.milkandcookies.com/playlist/10295/)
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:o First time seeing those clips. That version of Dazed And Confused is amazing. Can't wait for the DVD.
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New Led Zeppelin material? "Possibility of doing something is in the cards", says Jason Bonham (http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1593468/20080825/led_zeppelin.jhtml?rsspartner=rssMozilla)
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Oh boy, here we go again ... ::)
Incidentally, when is the concert DVD going to come out??
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Led Zeppelin Reunion Concert To Be Released On DVD (http://www.revolvermag.com/content/led-zeppelin-reunion-concert-be-released-dvd)
According to Gigwise.com, rock legends Led Zeppelin have confirmed that their recent reunion concert in London will be released on DVD.
Guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones revealed the news while speaking at an awards ceremony in London. However, Jones also said that the band is in no hurry to release the DVD.
Over a million people tried to register for tickets to the band’s reunion show at the O2 Arena in December 2007. Apporximately 18,000 lucky fans watched the concert.
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I was wondering when this was going to happen. You had to figure that it would. Especially in light of the rumored tour offers that were thrown their way, and apparently Plant shot it down.
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Interesting news, although I haven't seen more information regarding the above mentioned information. All sorts of speculation regarding the material that would be included as well as a release date have yet to be stated (unless I've missed it).
The unofficial dvd will have to do for now. I finally ordered and received the new Led Zeppelin book "Sonic Boom" today which can be ordered at http://www.enzepplopedia.com/ Who would've known that Led Zeppelin once performed a concert in which they shared a concert bill with a band called the "Ladybirds" in which the women played their instruments topless! :o For those interested there is an image of the women playing topless on page 107. Although the image in the ad is only a couple of inches you'll get the idea! ;D
Please refrain from any comments rearranging the words I typed above into strange sexual connotations! :P
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)
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The most disappointing news since Paul Rodgers joined Queen.
http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/mojo/239/carry-on-regardless/?page=1#comments
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The most disappointing news since Paul Rodgers joined Queen.
http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/mojo/239/carry-on-regardless/?page=1#comments
WTF? Terrible news.
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While the write up is outdated as far as newsworthy to some Zeppelin fans, Plant did state two years as a timeframe. ;D Not to derail this thread but if one wants to read a WTF write up on the net one was provided recently by Jack Bruce of Cream. You can read about it here:
http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/page/classicrock?entry=led_zeppelin_you_re_crap (http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/page/classicrock?entry=led_zeppelin_you_re_crap)
For a more audio approach to the comments go here:
http://my.wcsx.com/jjandlynne/ (http://my.wcsx.com/jjandlynne/)
Of course there's these comments to extend Jack's opinion:
http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/jack-bruce-the-only-decent-guy-in-led-zeppelin-is-dead-180070 (http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/jack-bruce-the-only-decent-guy-in-led-zeppelin-is-dead-180070)
Jack seems bitter. :)
Robert
www.behindthetoys.com (http://www.behindthetoys.com)