News and Reviews: 11th December 2007

10 Dec 2007.Led Zeppelin + guests live at The 02 Arena,London.Well in terms of live music events it does not get much bigger than this. Rock legends Led Zeppelin perform their first full show for some 27 years.(I had seen Led Zep at Earls Court in the 1970s).Its a tribute night for Atlantic Records boss Ahmet Ertegan who died last year.Tickets for this show are going for silly money on touting websites even though promoters did their best with id checks and wristbands.The evening starts with Harvey Goldsmith giving a speech then Keith Emerson(ELP) Alan White(Yes),Chris Squire(Yes) and Simon Kirke(Bad Company) play "Fanfare For The Common Man" with Bill Wymans Rhythm Kings who are the house band for the support acts.Paulo Nutini and Maggie Bell sing a couple of tunes before Paul Rodgers belts out "All Right Now" and "Seagull".Then Foreigner sing " I Want To Know What Love Is" then an interval where they showed some footage of Ahmet Ertegan. Needless to say the venue erupted when Led Zep quietly took to the stage to play a stunning 2 hours 10 mins set.After 6 weeks of rehearsals they were tight and the overall sound was spot on.Opening with "Good Times Bad Times" then "Ramble On" the quality of Robert Plants vocals and Jimmy Pages guitar were perfect."Black Dog" and "No Quarter" rocked before the slower blues of "Since Ive Been Loving You".The second half of the show was incredible as Jimmy Page brought out his violin bow for "Dazed And Confused" as he was boxed in by green lasers.The intro to "Stairway To Heaven" brought more wild cheers. The set finished with brilliant versions of "Kashmir" before encores of "Whole Lotta Love" and "Rock And Roll". A stunning show that really did live up to all the hype.Check this out for the massive rock star turnout who were sitting very near me . I saw Paul McCartney, Liam and Noel from Oasis,Marilyn Manson,Jeff Beck,Vic Reeves,John Sessions,Brian May,Chad from RHCP,Joe Elliot(Def Leppard),Bob Geldof,Juliette Lewis,Dave Mustaine(Megadeth),the singer from The Hives,Mike Rutherford(Genesis),Dave Grohl(Foo Fighters),David Gilmour(Pink Floyd)and there were a few more i did not see inc Mick Jagger,Priscilla Presley,Peter Gabriel,Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell etc.Check aftershow page..........

Posted 11th December 2007