LED ZEPPELIN: LIVE IN 1969

LED ZEPPELIN: LIVE IN 1969

Pam Brent

MARCH 1969

Included here for pure historical interest is the very first mention of Led Zeppelin inCREEM. That's because it had to be the first—it was in CREEM Volume 1, Number 1. It might not have been the best show in the world—at least, that's what Brent thought—but who knows? Maybe after 11 years she's changed her mind.

Dominating a 15 year period, surrounding 1930, the big and exciting thing in transportation was the dirigible, or zeppelin, a self-propelled, steerable balloon made rigid through internal aluminum framework. Owing to the combustibility of the gases used to suspend these huge structures, they were considered unsafe, and were prohibited after 1937 with the crash of the Hindenburg.

Now, in 1969, a new zeppelin has appeared and begun to infuse itself into our culture. This new zeppelin, totally unique from the old, may also be considered a mode of transportation, but not in the sense of its forerunners.

The new zeppelin was designed and engineered by one Jimmy Page, with the intent of providing new aural experiences. As you probably know, Led Zeppelin is a recently formed British rock group that is currently touring the U. S. This is an account of a brief interview with them and my impressions of their concert.

It was a Sunday night at Detroit’s Grande Ballroom and the last set the Zeppelin would play there. Almost everyone of musical importance in the city was in attendance (MC-5, Amboy Dukes, SRC, various DJ’s, etc.). We were all expecting something really tremendous to happen and the anticipation was building through Lynn County’s mediocre set.

Four British musicians came quietly onto the stage and began their set. The group consists of Jimmy Page, lead; John Paul Jones, bass; John Bonham, drums; and Robert Plant, vocals and harmonica. Jimmy came on in an exquisite red satin suit and began his expert lead. He was one of the Yardbirds, and has played sessions and arranged for Donovan and the Stones, among others. As before stated, the group was originally his idea, although he doesn’t want to be considered the leader. His ultimate purpose was to establish a group of four excellent musicians, each an equally integral part of the whole.

When thinking of starting a group, John Paul Jones was first on Jimmy’s line-up. A great bass player, he has done the Terry Reid album, and has played sessions for the Stones_and Donovan (he arranged for “Mellow Yellow” and “Sunshine Superman”) .

To quote Jimmy Page, he literally “fell in love” with lead singer Robert Plant. I, as a female, share those sympathies, for different reasons than Jimmy’s, of course. With his thick, wavy shoulder-length hair, he is really a beautiful guy. Aside from observing his fluent and capable singing and harp playing, I know that he is responsible for recommending John Bonham for drummer. John is very capable and last played with Tim Rose. He gulped over his coke that he had a terrible headache and I didn’t see him again.

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When the first tune was over, there wasn’t much reaction. As they went through “I Can’t Quit You, Baby,” we could sense something lacking. The next one took our minds off the playing, through Jimmy Page’s use of the bow on his guitar. The sound was weird and mind-bending, and yet, somehow marvelously controlled.

During “Killin’ Floor” the real problem became evident. Each member of the group was on a separate riff, not at all together. At times, Jimmy’s guitar and Robert’s voice blended beautifully enabling the music to really communicate; but, other than that, they were playing different things simultaneously.

Jimmy later played a solo, “White Summer,” after a change of guitars. It was melodious and resembled sitar playing at points, but was in no way as spectacular or complicated as made to look.

A great favorite of mine, “Communication Breakdown,” didn’t nearly equal the quality of the album (entitled Led Zeppelin, and has probably been out for sometime by now). After hearing the album, I was even further disappointed in the Zeppelin’s performance. The album is together, and is far superior to their live performance.

The set finished, but the lights were turned back off and they played one last slow, bluesy number that was finally together.

My interview followed, in the Grande’s office. Many of the facts that I accumulated have already been reinterated but some group history is needed. They’ve been together three months and have gone through quite a bit. After only 15 hours of practice, they left Britain to tour Scandinavia fulfilling a Yardbirds committment.

After three weeks, the LP was cut. It was very rushed, but the Zeppelin feel if was as good as could be expected. I hope better, from their performance. The Zeppelin contend that their Saturday’s set was far superior to Sunday’s set, and consider their Frisco gig to be the best so far.

As for direction, they will continue in their hard rock bag and intend to use more acoustic guitar. They feel freedom to move in any direction. They get together and their music “just happens. ”

Even though they didn’t turn me on, I feel that their abilities make them capable of becoming a major force on the rock scene. If they do suceed in getting it together, there is yet a good chance that 1969 will invariably be the “year of the Zeppelin.”