I have always preferred the studio version too. The guitar solo is just perfect with that immaculate Telecaster tone and the beautiful call-and-response in the second part. Plus, the band was never able to recreate live that lovely, shimmery sound of the middle verse section..the way the guitars and keyboards sort of float and hummmm together. Also, I could always do without some of Plant's more coked-up interjections and shrieks during the live versions. Which is why, in some ways, the 2007 O2 performance was his best of the song since 1972. But, as this is the Live Section, the question is meant for the live versions of "Stairway to Heaven" and I'll try to come up with one. Sue is correct...for the vocals go early, for the guitar solo go 1973 and beyond. In a way, the development of the song in concert mirrors "Over the Hills and Far Away". Both songs start their concert life with Plant singing the original melody with feeling and conviction, but with Page still in the process of figuring out how to play the solo live. By the time Page comes to a decision about the structure and sound for the solo...1973 for Stairway, 1975 for OTHAFA...Plant has either lost interest or the ability to sing the song in the original melody or key. Instead he renders the songs merely an opportunity to quip about "Acapulco gold" or "Does anybody remember laughter/forests?" While there are a few great Stairways later on...including some I witnessed on 3/12/75 and 6/21/77...for sheer overall excellence and impact, I find myself turning more and more to the brilliant performance of September 14, 1971 at Berkeley Community Center. Because Led Zep IV had yet to be released, I love that you can hear the intro clearly without the distraction of the crowd. I also love the ghostly vibe John Paul Jones' organ gives the intro. He didn't get a mellotron and start using it for Stairway until late-'72. Still wish Jimmy hadn't tampered with the Stairway on HTWWW. 9.14.71 also has the one Plant interjection that I don't mind, because it adds to the vibe of the song...his ad-lib of "You are the home of the Children of the Sun" is sung beautifully. And while the guitar solo is still in its formative stages, it's played with gusto and energy, leading the band to the closing segment, which they (Plant included) hammer home forcefully until abruptly the song goes out like it came in...a whisper.

Happy Anniversary to the Walters! Happy traveling to ebk! Yay rain. For what feels like the first time in forever, this parched city I live in has had three consecutive days in which rain fell. Hallelujah!

Indeed. In that murky nanosecond of time between February 28 and March 1 tonight, Nutrocker, I wish you a Happy Birthday and hope you rock your nuts off! Always a pleasure discussing Led Zeppelin with you. Don't be a stranger. Cheers and many happy returns of the day!

Is Mick Taylor still with the tour? I didn't know he was joining them on the Japanese leg. When are you going to post a setlist and photos of the stage, Steve?

I'm guessing the Japanese got plenty of final bows from the Stones.

Happy birthday to one of the early members, Aquamarine! If you're still lurking about, I wish you a joyful day. Cheers!

Another great George Harrison track from the "Yellow Submarine" album. This is the mono mix, which I find preferable on many of the Beatles songs, especially the early to mid-60s period.

Happy birthday to George Harrison, who would have been 71 today. Probably my favourite George Harrison Beatle-song:

Here's how little I have been paying attention to the NBA this year. I was completely oblivious to the All-Star Weekend and also forgot about the Celtics coming to town to play the Lakers last week, which is something I usually never miss. As bad as the Lakers have been this year, we still swept the Celtics this season. I guess Boston is tanking better than we are this year.

In all fairness to The Pagemeister, it is possible he put it in the news section because Artists Den sent out a press release yesterday announcing their new season on Palladia HD, which includes an airing of the Robert Plant show on April 9. Live from the Artists Den PREMIERING ON PALLADIA HD FEATURING Mumford & Sons 2/26 Adele 3/5 The Fray 3/12 Kid Rock 3/19 Imagine Dragons 3/26 Soundgarden 4/2 Robert Plant 4/9 The National 4/16 The Killers 4/23 Ed Sheeran 4/30 WEDNESDAYS AT 9PM EST/8 PM CST

Redd Kross "Jimmy's Fantasy" (Yes, there's a Zeppelin reference)

I thought this was the Jimmy Fallon thread but I seem to have stumbled into the conspiracy thread. "Mooshelle"? Really?

Nicky Hopkins would have been 70 years old today and who knows, maybe would be joining the Rolling Stones on their Japanese shows if he hadn't died 20 years ago at age 50. Nicky Hopkins was one of those people who got put through the wringer during their time with the Stones and let the drugs get the best of them. But he was with them during their brilliant period from "Beggars Banquet" to "Exile on Main St.", playing the piano on tracks such as "She's a Rainbow", "Loving Cup", and "Monkey Man". He played the keyboards with the Stones from the 1971 UK tour to the 1973 Australian/New Zealand tour, which encompasses some the best concerts the Stones ever played. In honour of Nicky's birthday, I am listening to one of those blazing shows right now: Nicky's birthday show from February 24, 1973 in Perth, Australia.

As Robert Plant said, "We ought to be pirates". Look, I don't want to ruffle anyone's feathers here, but it doesn't matter how you attain and listen to your Led Zeppelin live collection. Unless you just stick to the official live releases (TSRTS, BBC Sessions, HTWWW/DVD, and Celebration Day) and purchased them thru official channels, any other live recordings you collect puts you in the shadowy world of piracy and copyright infringement. It doesn't matter if you seed a torrent tree and share freely or if you buy Japanese boots from a Tokyo shop or a flea market in Manchester...you're acquiring something that Led Zeppelin doesn't officially sanction or earns any money from. And yes, I freely admit that I am one of those people...I have bought/traded for hundreds of Led Zeppelin bootlegs. Criticize me all you want, but I do so with a clear conscience. I have spent untold dollars buying and re-buying every album in Led Zeppelin's catalogue...in vinyl, cassette, and cd formats. I hustled washing cars, mowing yards, babysitting brats, anything to save up the dough I needed to buy the newest Led Zeppelin album as soon as it was released. Then there was the money I spent on concerts, posters, books, magazines, shirts. I sacrificed sleep and personal comfort waiting in line in the cold to buy concert tickets. I risked everything (health and home) to see them in 1975. I have paid my dues, and then some, as a Led Zeppelin fan. The BBC Sessions, TSRTS, HTWWW, and the other official releases are nice. But they're not enough for this addicted Zeppelin fan. Sorry, I cannot stop at a few measly concerts, and I would be dead if I waited for Jimmy and the others to decide to release whatever is in the live vaults. So if I want to collect as many Led Zeppelin concerts as I can get my hands on, whatever their provenance, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. It so happens that it's easier and more suitable for me to get my bootlegs the old-fashioned way, and that's how I prefer to listen to them. Not that I'm a Luddite per se, but I'm definitely old-school. I got rid of my computer and I'm trying to live a life more unplugged. I prefer not to use up a lot of memory space on my phone, so I only have one show on it for listening during commutes: 1977 Pontiac Silverdome that someone was kind enough to share. And I share in my own way, too. I have freely sent out at least 50 bootlegs in cd or vinyl form to various friends here on the forum, and if they wish to feed or seed a torrent or trading tree with them, they are welcome to. Call me pirate, call me thief, call me whatever you like. But don't think for a minute you're not the same if you have any Led Zeppelin shows in your collection that are not officially sanctioned. We are all sinners here. Just because you're a member of Freezer's Magic Circle doesn't make you more of a saint.

Why? Seoul did okay with the Summer Olympics in 1988 and it gets freezing cold in South Korea Rick, so having the Winter Olympics there should be no problem. Unless you mean politically, and are worried about North Korea doing some sabre-rattling monkey business to disrupt the Games? Hmmm, Sochi, Korea...maybe the IOC can use Syria next? Gold medal game is Sunday. As they say, check your local listings for time, depending on your time zone. Why was Quick even starting? Miller should have started after using Quick yesterday. I thought they would alternate goalies during the Olympics but it seems Quick had to play most of the minutes, which is not what I expected or wanted. At leas he got through the two weeks without reinjuring himself...I hope. GO SWEDEN!!!!

I thought every Stones fan knew about "Cocksucker Blues"? The band's attitude towards "Cocksucker Blues" has obviously lightened up over the years. I have seen it in theatres five times over the years. The first time was in 1981 or '82 at an art-house theatre in Austin, TX, on a double-bill with "Gimmie Shelter". In 1987, Bill Graham presented a Festival of Rock Films at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, and Mick Jagger sent his personal print of the film to be shown. It seemed every few years some theatre around town would show "CB". The last time I saw it in a theatre was a couple years ago at either the Cinefamily or the American Cinematheque. I also have had the movie at home...first on VHS tape, and now DVD, to watch with friends. Probably viewed it around 10-15 times in total. It is a total downer of a movie...you can feel the malaise and heroin nod dripping off the screen. Even the colour performance clips are sad...fragmentary and just when you want more they end and cut back to the black-and-white offstage footage. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Rolling Stones" is still my preferred way of watching the 1972 Rolling Stones tour. But "Cocksucker Blues" is a unique historical document of a particular time and place in the Rolling Stones history. Plus, not too many bands can say they have been filmed by Robert Frank.

US loses 1-0. Will play Finland for the Bronze, while Canada and Sweden face off for the Gold and Silver. Good game Canada...they didn't let the US do anything with the puck. Canada had complete control of this game.

Canada's goalie might as well take a nap. The SOG is totally lopsided in Canada's favour. Under 4 minutes to go.

1-0 Canada after two periods. US offense is struggling and they have twenty minutes to figure it out or it's goodbye gold...and silver. Oh, and before I forget, congratulations to the Canadian women curling team for winning gold...and the Brits took bronze. Nice day's work for the old British Empire.

Now we know who the US - Canada winner will face in the Gold medal game. It's almost go-time! Anybody else watching this live or are you all stuck at work like my friend?

Carl, I owe you an apology. Whether through browser error or my own incompetence, I completely missed page two of this thread and therefore missed your post where you provided the link to the documentary. My bad. My apologies to you.

Sure the Canadians stepped it up a notch, but the fact remains that the US was mere minute away from victory when the US goalie failed miserably on a clear attempt and basically assisted on Canada's tying goal. Quick is in goal for the men today when the US takes on Canada for a little revenge in a few hours. Wonder what the crowd will be like now that Russia has been eliminated. Probably pro-Canada.

No Sharon Osbourne in this clip but there is Ozzy: http://youtu.be/u1Dncz8AeEk

Thank you. That's the detail I was looking for. "I viewed a documentary on the Sunset Strip" was a little vague. I knew of "The Mayor of the Sunset Strip" and "Riot on Sunset Strip" and a few others, and none of them had Sharon Osbourne slagging Led Zeppelin, and searching the internet didn't help. But now that you have clarified the year, I have found the answer...it's a documentary film by Hans Fjellestad called "Sunset Strip" that premiered at the 2012 SXSW Festival and then aired on Showtime last August. http://www.sho.com/sho/reality-docs/titles/3365262/sunset-strip#/index I haven't been able to find the part with Sharon Osbourne yet, but here is the trailer: