Quote
GasLightStreet

Quote
RollingFreak

Quote
GasLightStreet
There's an aspect of anything post-1979 or whenever that was unearthed probably has happened. As with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, only so much can be shown that is "new". In regard to a timeline, a story, ok, obviously whatever footage will be used.

Presentation is the key and that might get lost in regard to what you've stated. But for perhaps a lot of people that don't know? As interesting as it could be.

I think what was slightly disappointing to me was the first half was actually so good and so well told. Yeah I knew most of the story, but not all of it, and they told it in a very compelling way. They had so many great photos, and they made any lack of video work. Then the second half felt like a crutch with the limited video they had. It felt like they HAD to play the songs people wanted (and so many of them in full), either because they felt like they had to fill the time (only covered the first two albums) or because they thought people would demand it. Whereas I'd have been ok with less full songs and more clips/photos and behind the scenes stories, being told in a similar fashion to the first half. To me it was brilliantly done till it got a little bit more lazy, which was odd. Cause usually the first half is what you'd breeze through. Felt like the second half should have been fleshed out with more stories and pics, or just cut in half if there wasn't enough there. Or, while I understood the ending with Royal Albert Hall cause that was "making it" on their home turf, an arugment could have been made that they included LZIII which could have ended with them being pre-stadium level. Led Zep 4 really seems like when they went to another level and I get that that's for a different movie.

Overall, I do still really recommend though. Its a great look into their early years and its amazing what they banged out in such little time.

Nice.

That makes sense. They did what they did. As you stated, perhaps because of it being expected. Maybe whatever could've been included, to break it up, was just a repeat so it's boring. Who knows.

I think of FOUR FLICKS and THE BIGGEST BANG and how TBB is an extremely poorly done imitation of FF - and they sounded atrocious in comparison.

FOUR FLICKS is tremendous. It makes LIVE LICKS with it's cheap pictures of the video screen terrible quality for artwork (and some horrendous editing, music wise) seem an afterthought (although disc 2 is worth it). But either one is better than any live release from the BANG tour.

There are many interviews with the filmmakers, similar to the one above, that seem to shed some light on the why the film is what it is. Few reasons:

1. Apparently the original cut of the film didn't get a great reaction back in 2019 or 2021 I think? The rumor I see floating around is it was just a full puff piece (which honestly you see this and I question how much they really changed of it), and NOTHING new. It was kind of a "why bother" so they then went back and recut it, but that could add to the uneven tone cause its more of a compromise than the director's true vision.

2. The Zep guys are so heavily guarded that just getting them to agree meant conceding a lot. Not that we have a worse film because of it, and not that it needed to be a tell all, but basically you either make a film with Zep's approval or you make one without it and it'll be far less distributed, or possibly not even made at all. So they took what they could. In the end, its Zeppelin, so a certain segment of people will go no matter what. But the best docs are generally the ones that leave it all out on the table (ie The History Of The Eagles or that type), and it should be noted it took A WHILE for this film to get a buyer. Which, again, for Zeppelin, feels like it should be a slam dunk. If they can't sell a music doc, who could, but that it wasn't quite compelling enough for awhile.

3. The very specific focus of the doc was limiting. The guys wanted it to be about the early years and the formation, so its very much being marketed as a general Led Zep doc that once you know its only the early years you realize "oh, that's why its called Becoming. That's why all the trailer footage is early stuff." There's definitely a bait and switch element of it so that it has mass appeal, thinking you'll hear about Stairway and whatnot. In some interviews I've read, reporters have tried to spin it as "well maybe this means you can do more movies later on", but the filmmakers seem to squash that. Apparently this took forever, was very time consuming even focusing on a smaller segment of their career, and that any further documentary would require at least 5 years time from conception to release, and that process has not been started, nor seemingly that interesting to any of the involved parties.

Feels like I'm trashing it, and truly I'm not. But seemingly a number of reasons it is the way it is, and it had a more troubled production than the final product would lead you to believe. It feels like this is probably all we'll get from them, so I'm certainly enjoying it for what it is. It adds some interesting backstory, but ultimately the Led Zep DVD from 2003 does cover everything enough as well. As chopped up as that project is as well. Zep has always kinda hampered their output which I don't think is a controversial comment. Hard to tell how they feel about it since they haven't done any promo for it, especially considering how much promo they did for the reunion Celebration Day DVD when that came out.

Quote
GasLightStreet

Quote
RollingFreak

Quote
GasLightStreet
There's an aspect of anything post-1979 or whenever that was unearthed probably has happened. As with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, only so much can be shown that is "new". In regard to a timeline, a story, ok, obviously whatever footage will be used.

Presentation is the key and that might get lost in regard to what you've stated. But for perhaps a lot of people that don't know? As interesting as it could be.

I think what was slightly disappointing to me was the first half was actually so good and so well told. Yeah I knew most of the story, but not all of it, and they told it in a very compelling way. They had so many great photos, and they made any lack of video work. Then the second half felt like a crutch with the limited video they had. It felt like they HAD to play the songs people wanted (and so many of them in full), either because they felt like they had to fill the time (only covered the first two albums) or because they thought people would demand it. Whereas I'd have been ok with less full songs and more clips/photos and behind the scenes stories, being told in a similar fashion to the first half. To me it was brilliantly done till it got a little bit more lazy, which was odd. Cause usually the first half is what you'd breeze through. Felt like the second half should have been fleshed out with more stories and pics, or just cut in half if there wasn't enough there. Or, while I understood the ending with Royal Albert Hall cause that was "making it" on their home turf, an arugment could have been made that they included LZIII which could have ended with them being pre-stadium level. Led Zep 4 really seems like when they went to another level and I get that that's for a different movie.

Overall, I do still really recommend though. Its a great look into their early years and its amazing what they banged out in such little time.

Nice.

That makes sense. They did what they did. As you stated, perhaps because of it being expected. Maybe whatever could've been included, to break it up, was just a repeat so it's boring. Who knows.

I think of FOUR FLICKS and THE BIGGEST BANG and how TBB is an extremely poorly done imitation of FF - and they sounded atrocious in comparison.

FOUR FLICKS is tremendous. It makes LIVE LICKS with it's cheap pictures of the video screen terrible quality for artwork (and some horrendous editing, music wise) seem an afterthought (although disc 2 is worth it). But either one is better than any live release from the BANG tour.

Completely agree, GasLightStreet: Four Flicks was utterly tremendous. The Bigger Bang set is indeed a ‘poor cousin’ It’s similar with the tour itself, actually. Despite catching multiple shows in ‘06 and ‘07, this tour holds little memory for me, whilst ‘Licks’ was an absolute blast in every respect.

A friend got me THE BIGGEST BANG. A while went by and he asked me how it was.

I said I hope you didn't spend much money on it.

$5!

I said good - it's horrible.


Brian Johnson's A LIFE ON THE ROAD Robert Plant episode is fantastic. It's an interesting peek into Plant's mind of the Zep days but gives good ground for his solo career.

Can't find the entire thing but here's part of it (14:01).

Somewhat old news, but here it is — longer and upgraded/new footage of Led Zeppelin at the Budokan, Tokyo, September 23, 1971, the group’s Japanese debut. Some historic moments there. 2 sources (37:34 and 3:51).

[www.youtube.com]

[www.youtube.com]

Quote
RisingStone
Somewhat old news, but here it is — longer and upgraded/new footage of Led Zeppelin at the Budokan, Tokyo, September 23, 1971, the group’s Japanese debut. Some historic moments there. 2 sources (37:34 and 3:51).

[www.youtube.com]

[www.youtube.com]

I wonder if we'll ever get another Zeppelin live release? 'How The West Was Won' is fine, as is the Zeppelin DVD, but I think those Earl Court shows, along with Knebworth, deserve individual releases. It would be interested to know what else Jimmy Page has in his vault. I know there's the Seattle show from 1977, for instance.

Quote
Big Al

Quote
RisingStone
Somewhat old news, but here it is — longer and upgraded/new footage of Led Zeppelin at the Budokan, Tokyo, September 23, 1971, the group’s Japanese debut. Some historic moments there. 2 sources (37:34 and 3:51).

[www.youtube.com]

[www.youtube.com]

I wonder if we'll ever get another Zeppelin live release? 'How The West Was Won' is fine, as is the Zeppelin DVD, but I think those Earl Court shows, along with Knebworth, deserve individual releases. It would be interested to know what else Jimmy Page has in his vault. I know there's the Seattle show from 1977, for instance.

The Song Remains The Same was just on TCM last week and I was watching it and thinking the same thing. My wife who was on her phone not caring about any of it was like "this must be one of a ton of releases they have, right?" and I was saying "its actually insane how limited it is." The ones you mentioned really do deserve a release but I truly don't know what Jimmy does all day in his castle. I know he and the Black Crowes just put out a 25 anniversary release of their show with added songs, and that was cool. They did a video to promote it and Jimmy looked good, but he's getting old. Can't tell if we're more likely to get stuff before or after he's gone at this point.

It would be nice for a proper Earls Court 75, Seattle 77, and Knebworth 79 release, but they have been on Youtube for a while now, and the fact Page hasn't had them taken down suggests there's nothing official on the horizon. It also suggests, though, that he's ok with the performances being out there, so you never know.

As is well known, The Song Remains the Same was doctored with mimed footage filmed on a soundstage in the UK a year later. The performances are spotty, and they're really not at their peak, but there are some great moments. They put so much money, time, and effort into it, with the 'fantasy' sequences and all, that they probably felt they had to release it, just to recoup.

69-72 were their most consistent and energetic years, after that, Plant had intermittent vocal issues, Page got a bit sloppy, and the tempos (Bonahm) sometimes dragged. Keep in mind they still blew away most bands, even on an 'off' night.

While it's a pity there isn't more footage, they did better than post-Dark Side Pink Floyd, with nothing officially pro-shot to document the 72-73, 74-75, and 77 tours.

True. That's very sad we don't have more from Floyd, though between the live Dark Side and Wish You Were Here releases we have a full show with all of Dark Side, early Shine On, Dogs, and Sheep which was basically a full show. I found the Echoes version from a bootleg which completes the show. Its amazing with Floyd we even got a full Wall show released at all.

To me, How The West Was Won is the best Zeppelin release they can muster. Between that, Royal Albert Hall, and the doctored Song Remains The Same, you have some of their best eras. Obviously they could put out more, but agreed that after Song, and even by Song, they started going downhill. Like you say, Song isn't even the peak, though it was commercially probably for them. I think they did put so much money into it that it had to come out, but also when Plant's son died it was a good release to tide them over. Kinda similar to The Grateful Dead Movie. Its not definitive, but it works in conveying the vibe.

I got a dvd bootleg from the first Knebworth show and it is a killer.
I got dvd/cd bootlegs from Earls Court, May 23, 24 and 25. The only songs that are really thrilling me are Tangerine and Heatbreaker and Communication Breakdown/Dyer Mker from May 25. I think Page will not release a full show or a best of several shows, because he thinks that nobody needs another 30 Minutes version of Dazed and Confused, Moby Dick and No Quarter. And that´s my opinion, too. If you want a killer complete live show from 1975, try to get a soundboard bootleg from Vancouver or Seattle.
The Seattle show from 1977 is very, very sloppy. So it never will get an official release. At least as long as Page is alive and well.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-19 19:24 by RockingLonestar.

EXCLUSIVE

Robert Plant Talks Album, U.S. Tour With New Band Saving Grace: ‘They’ve Saved My Sanity’

The Golden God phoned up Rolling Stone to break down his new LP, look back at his time on the road with Bob Dylan, and explain why he'll never write a manuscript or sign off on a biopic

By Andy Greene
July 16, 2025


Tom Oldham

[www.rollingstone.com]

--




__

Tour dates > [www.robertplant.com]

Guy lived the ultimate life in the 70s and now seems to have a very comfortable life and exactly what he'd want in HIS 70s. Sure, for awhile I wanted a Zeppelin reunion, but at this point I'm just happy that he's happy. At least he does stuff as opposed to Jimmy, who I'd love to just see tour solo.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-07-16 19:39 by RollingFreak.

Quote
RollingFreak
Guy lived the ultimate life in the 70s and now seems to have a very comfortable life and exactly what he'd want in HIS 70s. Sure, for awhile I wanted a Zeppelin reunion, but at this point I'm just happy that he's happy. At least he does stuff as opposed to Jimmy, who I'd love to just see tour solo.

Great post; and an accurate observation of Robert Plant as a man in his 70’s. It’s begs the question, though: just where, exactly, is Jimmy Page in 2025? Is he all but retired? He’s seemingly the least ‘active’ amongst those of his generation, whom we fortunately still have with us.

Quote
Big Al

Quote
RollingFreak
Guy lived the ultimate life in the 70s and now seems to have a very comfortable life and exactly what he'd want in HIS 70s. Sure, for awhile I wanted a Zeppelin reunion, but at this point I'm just happy that he's happy. At least he does stuff as opposed to Jimmy, who I'd love to just see tour solo.

Great post; and an accurate observation of Robert Plant as a man in his 70’s. It’s begs the question, though: just where, exactly, is Jimmy Page in 2025? Is he all but retired? He’s seemingly the least ‘active’ amongst those of his generation, whom we fortunately still have with us.

We'll probably never truly know. They dig him out at times, and he just looked great when being interviewed with the Black Crowes for a reissue they put out. So he in no way seems sick or anything. He did a great version of Rumble for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. He had a good run awhile ago where he appeared for Jeff Beck's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction too, as well as playing with Donovan and Roy Harper all around the same time if I remember correct. Kinda felt like he might really do something then, but it all ended up being nothing.

No idea if I'm making it up or I've read it somewhere: but that he just truly gave EVERYTHING to Zeppelin (all his ideas, production efforts, love and passion) that everything since hasn't felt meaingless but hard to live up to. He's certainly tried a few times (The Firm, Coverdale/Page, then Page & Plant), but after that there was an element that it seemed like what's the point. It was in that early 2000s period that he seemed to retreat into just reveling in old Zeppelin and never really came back. After playing Zeppelin with the Crowes, he put out How The West Was Won, the Led Zeppelin DVD, he released an expanded version of The Song Remains The Same, they had the reunion concert, he put out Mothership and remastered (again) the Zeppelin albums with bonus stuff, which I think was the third time those albums were remastered. Its his life, and I do truly hope he's happy, but its certainly sad in a different way than most rock stars that he didn't pass away untimely, but seems to have trapped himself in a 15 year period from the past and refuses to move on from it. If you're gonna do that, go out and play some shows so that others can see you shred! I guess he just doesn't want to. He's so many of our guitar heroes that its sad I'll never get to see him. Such a funny dichotomy the two have that Robert does EVERYTHING and is always around but just won't back to Zeppelin, and Jimmy appears to be a hermit unless it was for a Zep reunion. I do ultimately think Robert was right to not force something he didn't feel was genuine, but unless it comes out otherwise I've always sadly thought Jimmy was wrong to not do anything more but pour over the Zep catalogue again and again.

Quote
Big Al

Quote
RollingFreak
Guy lived the ultimate life in the 70s and now seems to have a very comfortable life and exactly what he'd want in HIS 70s. Sure, for awhile I wanted a Zeppelin reunion, but at this point I'm just happy that he's happy. At least he does stuff as opposed to Jimmy, who I'd love to just see tour solo.

Great post; and an accurate observation of Robert Plant as a man in his 70’s. It’s begs the question, though: just where, exactly, is Jimmy Page in 2025? Is he all but retired? He’s seemingly the least ‘active’ amongst those of his generation, whom we fortunately still have with us.

Jimmy talks a lot and nothing happens. Solo this, guest artist that. The Black Crowes and LZ reissues a while back were his last efforts.

There's very likely nothing more to offer from the Zep archives: it's done. If that's true, he knows it, so there's nothing more to offer.

Which is fine. No radio station plays whatever track from the extra/bonus albums from the (recent) reissues, it's always the LP versions. Although I did hear the live Stairway from TSRTS live album recently. It was interesting to a point and a reminder of why I don't listen to it: it's just not very good, it's good enough, which means it gets boring quickly.

Quote
bye bye johnny
EXCLUSIVE

Robert Plant Talks Album, U.S. Tour With New Band Saving Grace: ‘They’ve Saved My Sanity’

The Golden God phoned up Rolling Stone to break down his new LP, look back at his time on the road with Bob Dylan, and explain why he'll never write a manuscript or sign off on a biopic

By Andy Greene
July 16, 2025


Tom Oldham

[www.rollingstone.com]
--



__

Tour dates > [www.robertplant.com]

Thanks for posting. From the Rolling Stone article it sounds interesting enough I got in the July 16 presale and will see the Charlottesville show.

What I like Robert in his current state is that he enjoys creating the music he loves and performing it live. There is a genuine sense of dedication there.

I saw Saving Grace in the UK seven times in 2021-24. Most of them happened at a cozy, traditional music hall-type of venue that houses an audience of 1,000-2,500, which greatly enhanced intimacy. And the ticket price was modest, mid price about 30-50 quid. I enjoyed all of them and left the venue, feeling so impressed by the collective musicianship, so touched by the man’s love of music, every time.

To all our North American friends, never miss them if they come near you in their forthcoming proper NA tour. You won’t be disappointed.

Quote
RisingStone
What I like Robert in his current state is that he enjoys creating the music he loves and performing it live. There is a genuine sense of dedication there.

I saw Saving Grace in the UK seven times in 2021-24. Most of them happened at a cozy, traditional music hall-type of venue that houses an audience of 1,000-2,500, which greatly enhanced intimacy. And the ticket price was modest, mid price about 30-50 quid. I enjoyed all of them and left the venue, feeling so impressed by the collective musicianship, so touched by the man’s love of music, every time.

To all our North American friends, never miss them if they come near you in their forthcoming proper NA tour. You won’t be disappointed.

It was the venue size that sold me. Charlottesville Nov 2 is the second show in the tour, the theater is 1930s and 1,041 capacity. I got an email with the presale announcement after 3 pm, looked about 8 pm, and it was clear it would sell out, probably before Friday's general sale. I like your UK prices, C'ville is $80, $114(?), and $142 maybe? I chose $80... cheap seats in a theater that size still being good ones.

From there they go to the 1920s Lincoln Theater in DC, 1,225 capacity, where I imagine the $ is higher. But two days ago I was pricing Nov 2 Atlanta Macca tix so no price complaints about Robert. I'm looking forward to it. Saw him last year with Alison Krauss, 3rd bill behind Dylan on Willie's Outlaw Tour (a show Willie couldn't make).



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-07-17 20:14 by TheBluesHadaBaby.

Quote
TheBluesHadaBaby

Quote
RisingStone
What I like Robert in his current state is that he enjoys creating the music he loves and performing it live. There is a genuine sense of dedication there.

I saw Saving Grace in the UK seven times in 2021-24. Most of them happened at a cozy, traditional music hall-type of venue that houses an audience of 1,000-2,500, which greatly enhanced intimacy. And the ticket price was modest, mid price about 30-50 quid. I enjoyed all of them and left the venue, feeling so impressed by the collective musicianship, so touched by the man’s love of music, every time.

To all our North American friends, never miss them if they come near you in their forthcoming proper NA tour. You won’t be disappointed.

It was the venue size that sold me. Charlottesville Nov 2 is the second show in the tour, the theater is 1930s and 1,041 capacity. I got an email with the presale announcement after 3 pm, looked about 8 pm, and it was clear it would sell out, probably before Friday's general sale. I like your UK prices, C'ville is $80, $114(?), and $142 maybe? I chose $80... cheap seats in a theater that size still being good ones.

From there they go to the 1920s Lincoln Theater in DC, 1,225 capacity, where I imagine the $ is higher. But two days ago I was pricing Nov 2 Atlanta Macca tix so no price complaints about Robert. I'm looking forward to it. Saw him last year with Alison Krause, 3rd bill behind Dylan on Willie's Outlaw Tour (a show Willie couldn't make).

While Saving Grace toured the UK numerous times for the past 5 years, Plant/Krauss didn’t do behind their second collab, Raise The Roof, bar two festive appearances, Glastonbury and British Summer Time 2022, the latter being a support for The Eagles and neither of them was a full set. I missed both and wish they had done a proper tour over there.

One thing worth noting related to the Saving Grace UK shows I attended is there was no merch at all. No apparel, no caps, no badges, no posters, just nothing. There was a merch stand but they only sold support acts’ items. One time Robert mentioned that onstage, proudly voicing, “nothing but music!” The crowd applauded knowingly.

You will see their long overdue album sold at the NA concerts, though.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-07-17 18:16 by RisingStone.

RisingStone: Any word on how Robert is regarding requests to autograph old Led Zep albums?

Quote
TheBluesHadaBaby
RisingStone: Any word on how Robert is regarding requests to autograph old Led Zep albums?

I have no idea to be honest with you.

Considering Saving Grace perform some Zep songs, I have a guess he wouldn’t refuse outright to do that.

The Saving Grace North American Tour second show, Nov 2 in Charlottesville, as I expected did sell out its 1,041 theater seats fast. Got mine Wed evening, first of 2 presale days. It's Friday, nothing's left, I'm guessing it sold out yesterday before today's scheduled general sale could open.

I had no idea this was coming and think the announcement of a nearby show -- and maybe the tour itself? -- probably was a surprise this week to nearly everybody around here. Might've been similar to the UK small venue shows that sound like they'd get announced unexpectedly too.

Celebrating 50 years of PHYSICAL GRAFFITI, Led Zeppelin's new LIVE EP will be released on Sept 12.

Featuring "In My Time Of Dying," "Trampled Under Foot (Live From Earl's Court, 1975)," "Sick Again," and "Kashmir (Live From Knebworth, 1979)" on CD, vinyl and digitally for the first time, the LIVE EP is available to pre-order now at the link in bio.

[www.instagram.com]

--

Lol, I've had an audio rip of the Led Zeppelin DVD and its contents since it came out, but sure, certainly the most bare bones thing you can toss us .

Why this ‘Live LP’? Surely Jimmy has more in his loft than this re-release?

Hopefully its a teaser for full concert releases

Led Zeppelin is probably the band with the least amount of live releases. And now they're throwing the same old stuff at us again. No, thanks

Eventually there will have to be something released, otherwise people will lose interest.

Quote
frankotero
Eventually there will have to be something released, otherwise people will lose interest.

I don't know. In 40 years since they've ceased being a band, there's very little live. There was expanded SRTS, HTWWW, the LZ DVD, and a bonus live disc on the first album reissue. Other than that, its been truly slim pickins. I don't thing there isn't anything left, but rereleasing things from the 20 year old DVD leads me to believe Jimmy won't sign off on anything else while he's alive or the vault is more bare than we'd want to admit. Cause, and not that I'm that upset we don't have more but, its embarrassing how little live there is from them, and I don't really think there's been any reason to suggest more is coming.

Quote
Big Al
Why this ‘Live LP’? Surely Jimmy has more in his loft than this re-release?

EP.

Quote
Big Al
Why this ‘Live LP’? Surely Jimmy has more in his loft than this re-release?

It's not an LP, it's an EP.