Led Zeppelin shake London
2007-12-11 12:08
London - Led Zeppelin shook London's O2 Arena on Monday night with a blistering comeback performance.
The legendary band - singer Robert Plant, 59, guitarist Jimmy Page, 63, bassist John Paul Jones, 61, and 41-year-old drummer Jason Bonham, who replaced his late father John Bonham behind the kit - blew the roof off the sold-out venue with their trademark ear-splitting sound.
The group kicked off with Good Times Bad Times to deafening cheers, before ripping through a set - their first full-length show since they split in 1980 after John Bonham died in a pool of his own vomit after an alcohol binge at the age of just 32 - littered with their classic tracks.
Fans, some of whom had paid thousands of pounds to see their idols, were treated to Black Dog, Trampled Under Foot, Kashmir and Whole Lotta Love.
Plant rarely spoke to the crowd, but when introducing Dazed and Confused he said: "It's hard to know how many tracks we have recorded together. Around 10 albums, and there are some songs that just have to be played, and this is one of them."
Tribute
The biggest cheer of the night was saved for Stairway To Heaven, the epic song which has been mastered by bedroom guitarists all over the world.
The concert was held as a tribute to the late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, who signed the group in 1968, and after the band had finished playing the song, Plant shouted: "Hey Ahmet, we did it man!"
Zeppelin closed with an incendiary version of Rock And Roll, leaving their now delirious fans pining for more ground-shaking anthems.
The concert also featured earlier performances from a host of other acts, including Paulo Nutini - the last British artist to be signed by Ertegun - Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, Free and Queen singer Paul Rodgers and Foreigner, who Jason Bonham usually plays drums for.
The concert was watched by a galaxy of stars, including former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl, Oasis rockers Liam and Noel Gallagher, supermodel Kate Moss, Rolling Stones singer Sir Mick Jagger and Marilyn Manson. - Bang Showbiz.com
- Bang