If you have lived in denial, then there is no nowhere to hide. Led Zeppelin’s comeback concert, which over 20,000,000 attempted to get tickets for, has confirmed that indeed, they were and still are bigger than The Beatles, Elvis, or anyone else you could care to mention. The world has spoken! Led Zeppelin rock! No other band in history could have pulled off a reunion concert like they did (I didn’t go, but I’m going by the unanimous reviews), after 27 years since the band’s drummer John Bonham died and caused the dissolution of the best rock band the world has ever seen.
But they are back! BRING ON THE WORLD TOUR! The fans are clamoring. Come on Percy, you know you want to! Jimmy is dead set keen. As are the millions of fans worldwide who never got a chance… I was 15 in 1980 when Bonham died. It was one of those moments like when Lady Di died, or The World Trade center was attacked. I remember it vividly. I was devastated. I knew immediately that the band would stop. But now Jason Bonham keeps their integrity intact. It is a joyous thing for him no doubt. As was reported, when they all gave final bows the other night, Jason came in front of them and turned and genuflected before them. He is a great a fan as any of us. And from all accounts, he did his Dad proud. I’m sure he did. Jason knows the Zep catalog better than Jimmy himself.
Forgive my rambling post, but I am personally just so buzzed that this band did what so many bands before them have failed to do. Integrity has always been of the highest importance for Led Zeppelin. That’s why they were so disappointed by their previous two disastrous reunions. They were not well planned or thought out, and dented their credibility a lot. Now that has been restored. Robert Plant has just made his best album in ten years at least (with Alison Krauss), and now Led Zeppelin are back, blowing people away and gaining a whole new generation of fans. It makes me smile, it really does.
Richard I forget to post back here. I am insanely jealous of the fact you saw them live. I have seen Robert Plant live a few times, but never Jimmy and certainly not Led Zeppelin. However I have heard dozens of bootlegs and live albums, and I certainly have a deep appreciation for their talent.
I think statistically, all bands can be compared, but yes it is open to debate as to how useful it is. Queen, for example are in some statistical ways the most successful band ever in the UK. And maybe they were. Clearly, it’s only the “best” tag that is truly subjective. Everything else can be analysed, compared and adjusted economically etc. The Beatles were the most influential band ever, but I personally think Led Zeppelin were better. For me at any rate. Rolling Stones on the other hand are probably the most overated band in the history of the Milky Way
.. should add that the last comment was in reply to M8
Hmm – comparing the two is not a very useful exercise. However I cannot go along with the fact that Led Zeppelin are “overrated”. I grew up with them and saw them live twice in the early seventies. Unforgettable.
MB, You are of course entitled to your opinion. As I am. I’m also entitled to delete your tragically inaccurate comment, but at this point I will refrain.
However much I respect a lot of the Beatles later work, I think Led Zeppelin were better musically than them. The Beatles were very much a major force in world music. Statistically however, there is a case to be made that Led Zeppelin were indeed a “bigger” band…. It’s all open to our interpretations. Let’s just say I think Led Zeppelin were better. How’s that…
God, Led Zeppelin really are the most overrated band ever. John, Paul, George and Ringo, all is forgiven, you were never that arrogant even though you were a much much better band.