It’s taken me a year to get over it. That’s probably the most accurate thing I can say about witnessing the brief but firey reunion of the three remaining members of Led Zeppelin — plus the son of the fourth — at London’s 02 Arena last winter. The shock and wonder of it. The disbelief. The return of a sound.
There was the vision of Jimmy slung over his guitar, his white hair flying about his shoulders as one would expect of a Grand Wizard in the midst of his craft. Robert swaggering, mane and all, as if no time had passed. John Paul, ever deceptively demure, neatly devastating in his groove and prowess. And the younger Bonham rising to the event with the kind of energy and love that the band most likely possessed in 1968 when it was all new and still somewhat surprising.
This was the first time I had seen Led Zeppelin live. It will probably be the last. But, in this moment of weird revelation, I came to realize once again the depth and power of their musicianship and mystique. This kind of artistic presence does not simply come out of practice. It is either there or it is not. It is either brilliant for reasons we can’t fully explain, or it is something else that usually fails to remain noteworthy for long. To capture it successfully and bring it to the world is a task of great endurance, and often a matter of just plain luck. So, to have seen the making of this music taking place before my eyes, was, a kind of miracle. It was proof, for someone who had only glimpsed the band through imagery from the past, that this tremendous and powerful sound that has put a spell on so many of us was not just a trick of imagination, but truly — almost quaintly — real.
Still. For those who were not there, I can testify that although it was a spectacle to behold, it can never eclipse what is out there at any moment for all of us to enjoy. It is that same feeling that envelops me when I pick up my guitar and venture into the music. It is the same wave that washes over you when Kashmir come streaming out of your iPod turning the street into desert sands. It is the return of a sound.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Im glad you got to experience tenn, hospitality
I just discovered Lez Zeppelin and am blown away. How absolutely cool what you four girls have accomplished. The road is yours.
I just saw your Pittsburgh show. Awesome energy and performance. One of the best rock shows I have ever seen.
I had tears streaming down my face within moments of y’all bursting into Immigrant Song. I screamed to my friend, “Are you kidding me?!? They’re starting with IMMIGRANT SONG?!?!?”
I was so looking forward to seeing LezZ and you absolutely blew me away that night in Manchester. Live music is incredibly special to me, and it was obvious from my vantage point in the crowd that you were all feeling it up there on stage too. Absolutely spectacular. Congratulations on your big night. Here’s hoping you make it to Atlanta soon. Oh and it was my birthday too, super cool!
Just sitting around on a rainy Saturday and thought I’d check in to see what you girls were up to. I saw the Bonnaroo show and was blown away. Drunk out of my mind and arriving a bit late to the show, I sqeezed my way up to the barrier and enjoyed every second of my experience. After getting separated from my buddies, and having no idea where my f*cking tent was, I walked around “dazed and confused” for about 2 hours after the show. My ears rang for days…thankfully I had time to recover before the Pearl Jam show on Sunday. You girls ROCK! I will definitely see you again. Thanks for the great time.
Steph,
The new lineup BLEW ME AWAY in Amagansett last night. Megan was brilliantly solid, PJ was a step forward and Leesa put me in a trance (especially since I arrived hoping to see Helen. Leesa, like Helen, appears to arrive from another planet).
Thanks for a great night.
Mike