Chance of a lifetime: seeing Led Zeppelin live
Posted: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 12:57 PM
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London, England
By NBC News' Chapman Bell
Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones. Four names that effortlessly roll off the tongue… Led Zeppelin broke up the year before I was even born, but as in the case of the Beatles, the Who, the Doors, (I could go on) the music keeps going. On Monday night those four names were reunited again for a benefit concert here in London – Jason Bonham filling in on the drums for his late father.
"Have you ever seen so many happy people in one place?" someone asked me as the show started at the O2 Arena in Greenwich. I look around at the sea of smiling fans – from middle-aged rockers to kids and grandparents, in everything from tie-dyed t-shirts to suits and ties. Everyone was standing and dancing – and that person’s comment stuck with me the whole night.
A reunion, one-off gig, limited tickets, what was there not to be happy about? People shelled out $250 for a regular ticket, not to mention the ones going for thousands online. (I was lucky enough to be there thanks to a press pass). Spending that kind of money to see a band? Let’s hope you’re happy!
All eyes glued to the stage
As the crowd buzzed with anxious wonder and whispers of "What song will they play first?" – "Good Times, Bad Times" opened the show and not a dull moment ensued.
For two hours my eyes were glued to the stage. I never thought I would see Jimmy Page play his guitar with a violin bow live. Hearing Robert Plant announce "Dazed and Confused," the crowd erupted. Soon after, all eyes were on Page as he stood on stage surrounded by green lasers bowing his guitar. Then, Page produced his double neck Gibson signaling "Stairway to Heaven." The opening of "Kashmir" sent the crowd wild yet again. Mobile phones were lifted in the air by people sharing the tunes with friends and reminding others who got tickets to the big gig. As the show closed with "Rock and Roll," I didn’t see one still body in the whole arena.
A chance of a lifetime? Certainly for me. The performance was billed as a one-off charity event held in memory of former Atlantic Records boss Ahmet Ertegun, who signed Led Zeppelin. But even before the start of the show people were questioning if this would be the start of something more for the band.
After seeing last night’s performance, I certainly hope that there is more to follow so that others can see the magic I witnessed. If it was such a spectacle to me, I can only imagine the feelings it evoked in the onlookers that had the opportunity to see them in their heyday.
