Led Zeppelin’s one off performance at the O2 arena in London on December 10, 2007 was possibly the most anticipated show ever. This show was to celebrate the life of Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun (who passed away almost a year earlier).
When naming the project why not use the name “Celebration Day?” Not only was it a Zeppelin song, but it fully encompassed what the day meant to them overall. It seems the most fitting and appropriate. The surviving members of led Zeppelin John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant along with Jason Bonham (the son of late drummer John Bonham) played the show and the whole concert was filmed by Dick Carruthers. This movie was shown in theaters worldwide for 2 days only (October 17 & 18, 2012).
The movie that we were able to preview was just the concert itself with no bonus footage or behind the scenes stuff (which I’m sure will be on the DVD). No matter, Zeppelin on a large screen with surround sound is all you need. They tore through a two hour, 16-song set and it was like they never went away. On the first few numbers, I was unsure about Plant’s voice but as the show went on, Plant proved why he is considered the original golden god! These three songs in succession were simply jaw dropping: “In My Time Of Dying,” “For Your Life,” “Trampled Underfoot.” It was the first time at any point that Zeppelin performed “For Your Life” anywhere. John Paul Jones gave up the bass to tackle the keyboard/organ on “Trampled Underfoot,” “No Quarter,” Stairway to Heaven” and “Kashmir.”
Plant remarked how Jason’s parents used to like to sing a lot; especially the Hendrix’ song “Wind Cries Mary.” He then said, “Jason will be handling the vocal duty on this next one,” much to Jason amusement. The song was “Misty Mountain Hop” where Jason co-sang on parts of it.
What should be noted is that that Page’s playing was magnificent! You truly see the legend at his best throughout. He gets the bow out for “Dazed and Confused” and owns it. Her switches guitars throughout but doesn’t lose anything while doing it. The sound he got out of each separate guitar was a wonder on its own. He proves to the world that he has what it takes and is truly a living legend!
The movie focused solely on the band, capturing just a select few crowd shots here and there, and I applaud the director’s vision of highlighting the band and its music. If this is the last impression Led Zeppelin will make on its audience, then who am I to argue that that going out with an amazing performance like this isn’t the way to go?
The DVD will be released worldwide on November 19, 2012.
