Led Zeppelin at the 02 - the experience of a lifetime

[fastonkeys]

I realize this isn't about gear, but I think it qualifies as "High end", and I suspect/hope that many of you will appreciate this... I had the good fortune of attending last night's tribute to Ahmet Ertegun headlined by the legendary LED ZEPPELIN in London. It's difficult to describe how just how good these guys were... and to preface, I consider myself to be a serious fan, but I never had the chance to see them when I was younger - so this was one of those things that I promised myself I would do if opportunity ever came about...

I really tried to keep my expectations modest, thinking at first it would be a smaller, limited set - it was after all a charity event in honor of the amazing Ahmet Ertegun - but alas, the mighty Zep did a "proper gig", and provided the audience with an experience of a lifetime. They played for our nearly 2 1/2 hours, and they most covered most every tune I was hoping for ... all the classics! And whilst they played of the tunes in lower keys to accommodate Mr. Plant, he certainly still "has it". The orchestrations were superb, and my god... Jimmy Page... nuf said.

Kasmir, Stairway to Heaven... ok this the first time I've ever shed tears at a rock concert! Nobody's Fault but Mine, Black Dog, Rock & Roll, The Song Remains the Same... (pretty much the Mothership playlist)

Jason Bonham... more than honored his father. He was amazing, and it was touching as it was clearly an emotional experience for him, and the guys were oh so gracious in expressing their gratitude in return. After the last encore, Jason came onto the stage, gets on his knees and bows to the guys... classic moment!

I was also pleased that from a technology/gear perspective, nothing over the top. They used their traditional Orange amps; Jason's drum kit was a modern day Ludwig version of dad's configuration. John Paul opted for some newer kit with a Korg Oaysis... he's such a cool cucumber! The mix was fantastic.

It was also a great experience to see so many happy people from all over the world in the audience - as you can imagine, everyone was on their feet throughout. I was also fortunate to be an invited to one of the after parties, and we carried on (open bar - woo hoo) inside the O2 until 3A... so I'm still a bit dazed, but not confused.

I realize words can't do justice to this type of experience, but honestly if these guys end up touring in 2008 (I suspect it would very limited), do whatever you can to see them... We owe so much to their contributions, and what a fitting way for them to rewrite their Swan Song!

Apologies if this comes across as sappy, but I wanted to share this with you, and simply say THANK YOU to Led Zeppelin, Ahmet Ertegun, and everyone that made last night possible!

[Sui_City]

thanks for sharing the experience with us. as limited as words may be when trying to describe something like this, your emotions are clearly projecting the experience into my mind.

normally i would be extremely sceptical about reunions of this nature. but this has been somehow different.

i live for rock. zeppelin are gods to me. i would've loved to have been there.

[Jules]

WOW..

[Dale]

I saw them on their first tour
they were filling in for the Yardbirds,
the Grande Ballroom. amazing show

thanks for bring back the memories

[Glenn Bucci]

I can't wait for the DVD of the concert to come out. As I enjoyed the Cream reunion on DVD (even though no Les Paul or Marshal amps), I know I will enjoy the Led Zep show even more.

[Robert Sands]

I was lucky to see them early on too. May of 1969 at the Fillmore East in New York City and then that summer in Central Park with BB King opening. At the Fillmore show it was all from their first album and then at the Central Park show they were playing songs from Zep II. They were soooo great. The very definition of "heavy". Huge sound, very potent - They were changing music and taking it off in a brand new direction and it was very apparent we were hearing something extremely important. I still am amazed at the experience of those shows - especially the Fillmore one. Thanks for taking me back.

[rich robinson]

you guys are lucky... privileged is probably the operative word.

I'm only 22 but have been a big fan for a while. Bonham is my hero.

I listened to led zep all night thinking 'no way, there are on stage playing now'! Crazy.

I hope they play some more shows.

[fastonkeys]

Believe me, I feel beyond fortunate to have had the opportunity!

Here in London, rumors are quickly circulating that 2008-2009 World Tour is in the works. I guess time will tell, but clearly, the reaction, the reviews has been overwhelming so if there were ever a catalyst, it happened Monday evening.

This is a band that must be experienced live... hard to explain, but it goes beyond the musicianship and sound.

Thanks to all of you for your replies and not taking my enthusiasm in the wrong way!

[taturana]

i only got to see the clips on youtube... and even those impressed me a lot...

jimmy´s guitar tone was just awesome.... what a band!

[zboy2854]

I have to say, this whole LZ reunion has really gotten me thinking about a lot of things. The fact that 20 million people tried to get tickets to the show says a lot not just about the band and their place in the pantheon of music greatness, but also about the sad state of music today.

Bob Lefsetz in a recent letter wondered if maybe we were witness in the '60s and '70s to the musical equivalent of the Renaissance, like they had in Italy all those centuries ago. A period of artistic brilliance never to be repeated again. And while there has been plenty of art since then that was noteworthy, just as there's been music since that has been noteworthy, nothing has really come close to eclipsing that benchmark, and probably never will.

I can't stop thinking about this idea, and in a way it makes me really sad...

[GungaDin]

great post! I've also watched some of the crappy little cell phone movie camera clips on Youtube. And even squashed to high heaven, you can still feel the weight of Kashmir. Dang ol' geezers still got it goin' on.

[tnjazz]

I'm listening to the first recording that's surfaced from this show and I've got to admit I'm pretty impressed.

I was never a hardcore Zep fan, but considering they're all sixty-ish they sound amazingly good - better than some shows I heard from 77-80. Better than a lot of bands out on the road today too, that's for sure.

Tour rumors are swirling about MSG being next, apparently. I'd be very interested in seeing this show if they can keep up the energy they showed on Monday night.

[Goliath|Audio]

It's soothing to hear the show was a big success and not crappy as many here had predicted. Have faith in modern musicians and good shows will happen. I don't know why people would not really trust that Jason Bonham would be able to fill in for his father? Even without the pedigree, he is a great drummer.

[monkeyt]

Good Times Bad Times audio from the show....

[GearBit]

Originally Posted by zboy2854

I have to say, this whole LZ reunion has really gotten me thinking about a lot of things. The fact that 20 million people tried to get tickets to the show says a lot not just about the band and their place in the pantheon of music greatness, but also about the sad state of music today.

Bob Lefsetz in a recent letter wondered if maybe we were witness in the '60s and '70s to the musical equivalent of the Renaissance, like they had in Italy all those centuries ago. A period of artistic brilliance never to be repeated again. And while there has been plenty of art since then that was noteworthy, just as there's been music since that has been noteworthy, nothing has really come close to eclipsing that benchmark, and probably never will.

I can't stop thinking about this idea, and in a way it makes me really sad...

Zboy I think about this alot and while I think it is sad that it may never be repeated again I feel thankful that I was able to live through and experience it.
I don't know what the future holds or what it is like to be a kid today but I (we?) sure had it good in the 70s.
Heres hoping that record companies took note of those numbers, shook off the wolfmother failure (as if those guys were anywhere near zeps level) and a few AnR decided to give real music a try again.

[ToddF]

What a great show. I am sure you could feel it in the air.

I never thought they would pull it off as good as they did. Not that I didn't want them too I just didn't want to be let down. All the hype in the media etc.

I watched most of the songs on Youtube. Looked like many are now getting deleted.

The vibe was great. They looked good. The crowd were great and they sounded great.

Will be listening to Zeppelin the rest of the week for sure.
Yes it does make you depressed about the lack of great new original music like this these days.

Peace, Todd

[fastonkeys]

You know, I saw a few clips on YouTube as well. And on one hand, I'm glad that they provide an opportunity for everyone to get a glimpse of the show, but on the other hand, the sound quality and moreover the ENERGY that filled the show simply doesn't come across.

I'll be curious how it plays out on the DVD!

Perhaps it's just extremely well written music played by incredibly talented musicians, but it seems to me that's there's something more to it than that. Led Zeppelin creates an energy and stir that's nothing live I've ever experienced. It's moving in the same way opera affects so many... it really stirs your emotions even if you're not a die hard fan. I cannot count how many people young, old, male/female that had laughter and tears flowing so I know it wasn't unique to my own experience.

Sure, there are groups that are equally even possibly more musically gifted, but there's just something different and rich/full about a Led Zeppelin live performance.

I've always been told this by people who were fortunate enough to see them in their prime years - now I get it, but I sure have a hard time explaining it! The other indicator for me is that the emotion stays with you - I still feel it days later - and that's never been the case before...

[fastonkeys]

Originally Posted by zboy2854

I have to say, this whole LZ reunion has really gotten me thinking about a lot of things. The fact that 20 million people tried to get tickets to the show says a lot not just about the band and their place in the pantheon of music greatness, but also about the sad state of music today.

Bob Lefsetz in a recent letter wondered if maybe we were witness in the '60s and '70s to the musical equivalent of the Renaissance, like they had in Italy all those centuries ago. A period of artistic brilliance never to be repeated again. And while there has been plenty of art since then that was noteworthy, just as there's been music since that has been noteworthy, nothing has really come close to eclipsing that benchmark, and probably never will.

I 100% agree... in many ways, you I think the same can be said about classical music and jazz. I don't see the 60s-70s so much as an overall musical Renaissance, but I would agree that it is period in which the foundations for modern (rock, etc) music were created. The other contributing factor is the way in which music is delivered... seems to me the that music eventually became more about video and presentation than music... and I've always wondered about the bands that never made it because of today's visually oriented medium.

Interesting topic for sure. By the way, this whole topic is the core theme of the Queen - We Will Rock You Show as well, so we're not the only ones that are pondering this one. Highly recommended show if visiting London...

[taturana]

Originally Posted by Goliath|Audio

Even without the pedigree, he is a great drummer.

i would say that even with the pedigree he´s a great drummer
but you know bonzo is bonzo! and that´s a big expectation for him to live up to!

[Roland J]

Would have loved to have been there!!

Kevin Shirley, who did the Zep mixes for "How the West was won" and for the new DVD "The song remains the same", is an old buddy of mine. He was at the O2 Arena and was asked by the Modern Guitars Magazine to do a review.

Here it is..............

Review of Led Zeppelin at London's O2, December 10, 2007

[primemeat64]

I was there too, front and center - about 6 people back (but then I did queue for 2 1/2 hours to get that close).

Mine is not a tale of luck, mine is a tale of perserverence!

1) My relationship to Zep can be summarised easily:

I am too young to have seen them before.

They are the whole reason I got into music. Heck, it's the reason why I moved 300 miles from my hometown to study music (doesn't seem a lot to you USA lot but over here, that's a lot!).

I've given 2+ hour presentations on them, written essays on them... they just blow everybody else out of the water, and they did it first.

2) My story:

Upon hearing the news, I immediately started contacting every friend of a friend who knows so and so producer or so and so singer - I got nowhere (although since found out that a friend of my girlfriend got 2 VIP tickets from Roger frigging Daltrey).

I entered the lottery A LOT via many friends / family - got nowhere.

Bought a passcode from ebay for £230, then 2 x tickets for £277 - 3 hours later, Harvey Goldsmith says I can't do that and I'll be turned away, I immediately seek a refund. Ticketmaster refund me, the ebay guy does not. I've now lost both Hope and £230.

I post adverts on the internet and email virtually everybody with an email address asking if there are any spares around and if they could release one to me for the low low price of about £500 (which although most tickets went for £1000 - £2000, five hundred big ones is still multiple times face value and A LOT of money for a gig) - remember I've already spent £230 as well.

A journalist from the Times contacts me to see if I want to write about my experience and how much my ticket cost if I had one.... I was too depressed so I didn't bother.

Got a few emails from people who had tickets on ebay who appeard to have a heart, understanding how much it meant to me they seemed willing to take "Just" £500 but as soon as the bidding soared past that point they lost their heart (which they've every right to, bastards).

I'm still sending and recieving emails right up until 5am the day of the gig - I decide to go ALONE and stand outside see if there are any last minute spares (often happens at gigs), I decide that if I dont get a ticket, I will sit outside and let my heart melt to whatever I do hear... Jason Bonhams kick? Some low freqs of Jonsey's bass?...

I had A LOT of delays getting to the arena despite living only about 20 miles away (I was staying with my girlfriend near there at the time).... The delays were ridiculous and plentiful - it was like a frikken film.

I finally arrive at the dome at mid day - doors open to the arena at 6 and ticket collection stops at 6...

It's a blisteringly cold day to be hanging around outside and continuing Zeps reputation for destroying those who exploit their name, there are hundreds of 02 arena staff patroling the area, looking out for people trying to make a buck.

I decide to move to the station where 90% of zep-goers are coming out, I get challenged by an plain-clothes police officer about asking for tickets, I challenge him back about the fact that 1) it's legal in England and 2) I'm not even trying to make money, I want 1 ticket then I'm off. He challenges me back saying that I'm in a station so it's illegal.... Back to the freezing cold then....

In total I spend about 3 hours outside till one guy has a chat with me about zep for a couple of minutes then offers me a ticket (which I almost don't believe... I keep asking him "really? really?") - I ask how much... he says face frikken value... I tell him that the going rate is between £1k - £2k and that there are about 30 people hanging around looking for tickets, but he wants me and he wants face value I ask why - he says i'm an "enterprising cause"...

I get the ticket then I buy him a drink, turns out he's the millionaire that owns UK clothing retail chain "The Officers Club" so he doesn't need the money. we have a few more beers and part company.

3) pre show

I no longer resent everybody in and around the o2. I no longer scowl at all the wrist bands, t-shirts, tickets, smiling faces and people taking photos in and around the dome with their hands in the air (one with ticket, naturally).

I run round to queue to ensure I'm not too far back (yeah standing ticket to cap it off). I queue for 2 1/2 hours and meet some really cool people. everybody here is so frigging relaxed, happy, excited, interesting and.......nice!

atmosphere is incredible... bouts of screaming ensue.

4) the show

I realise I've been banging on for ages so I'll keep this short.

I was expecting (right from the announcement of the reunion) that it would be a bit rubbish because they're all so old now. That didn't matter for me I wanted the spiritual experience... I wanted to complete my fanship.... I didn't care if I was at the seat highest and furthest and if the band were rubbish.

I was right at the front and they were incredible. **** snow patrol. **** everybody.

Good Times Bad Times was a bit Beatles-like - the screams were overpowering... I think thats partly because the band sneaked onstage whislt we all watched some stock footage so the first glimpse was when they hit those first two chords, it was like a nuke.

I agree with what the 1st poster said that everybody believes that a lot was resting on this show and that they'll probably tour... if so then I'm going to fly out to the US for the first time just to see em because if they do tour, this really will be the last of it....



There's a lot more to my story but hell, you probably gave up half way as it is.




Peace

Leo

P.S. The sickest bit of my story is that soon after I got my ticketmaster refund, Harvey Goldsmith said that the very first set of passcodes WERE VALID FOR EVERYBODY so I actually had TWO VALID TICKETS without knowing it and got them refunded.

P.P.S yes, Jason Bonham was AWESOME. And MAN was that kick drum album-cover design cool as hell! His emotion was so aparant - he was out of his stool a few times....so passionate.... also, when they finally walked off, he waved at the crowd and then just before he turned away, he looked up... probably just scoping out the higher tiers but...maybe he was looking to his dad.... (brings a tear to my eye to write that)

[Lynn Fuston]

You should have written it for a newspaper. Great account. And I, for one, would love to hear the rest. I didn't get tired of it and I read every word.

[primemeat64]

wow thank you! well, I might just write this all up into a short story... one for music fans, Zep fans and anybody who likes to see the underdog win...

Thanks again for your comment!

Leo

[Sounds Great]

Thanks for that great clip!

I hate to be negative about this, and the music does sound rockin', but Robert Plant doesn't seem to have any passion in his vocals. Kind of sounds like he is just going through the motions to me. I'm just not hearing any of the fire he use to have.

[Lynn Fuston]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

Thanks for that great clip!

I hate to be negative about this, and the music does sound rockin', but Robert Plant doesn't seem to have any passion in his vocals. Kind of sounds like he is just going through the motions to me. I'm just not hearing any of the fire he use to have.

You think the intervening 30 years has anything to do with that?

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by Lynn Fuston

You think the intervening 30 years has anything to do with that?

Yes, and no. Maybe?

Doesn't really matter, If Robert Plant, who is a huge part of what made LZ's music so great isn't going to bring it up a notch, or isn't able, I wouldn't consider paying big money to see them.

Ever see Rush in concert? I saw them recently, and I also saw them 31 years ago. Geddy Lee hasn't lost a thing. In fact sounded better than ever.

[primemeat64]

I thought he was pretty good actually, he shines on kashmir anyway....

Actually at the gig he rawked and being there in person is slightly different from any bootleg audio or video.... please, again this isnt me bragging - there's just a sparkle in a live performance that can't be reproduced by other means - for instance I got shivers watching the DVD of cream reuniting - as the crowd erupted as they walked onstage but I wasn't there and I don't know what it was REALLY like...