Nick, I usually agree with your takes but I don't see how '80 could overall be more consistent than '77. I agree '77 had its ups and downs but they played better on that tour collectively. Maybe the problem with me is that all of the '80 shows I have heard are soundboards and there is no hiding mistakes in that form of recording. Just my opinion Nick, still enjoy your takes. Peace.

I generally agree with you ^. It hurts me to say, but Page was using so much distortion to cover up his lack of playing. However, I also must say that Robert's voice was pretty much shot during that tour. No range and not very clear. Bonham and Jones were, as always, the rock behind the music. What do you think the best overall show was? I listen to Brussels every now and then - out of the shows I have it is my fav. from that tour.

Yes, the mix for IV had to be redone. I remember Page saying the songs sounded like they were recorded "under water" so they had to be remixed. Art work was always a fight, along with not putting their name on the album (IV again), etc.

I believe I remember that passage ^ from the Hammer of the Gods book. It has been many years, but the wording sounds verbatim.

I saw Robert play it during the Manic Nirvana tour and he also references it as a song they wouldn't be playing at the Earl's Court 5/24 show. He jokingly sings the first line as something they wouldn't be doing on that evening! Anyway, I think it would have been a good one. Isn't it the b-side to Whole Lotta Love single (I still have that 45 - in mono)?

I think it's funny because how many times have we heard Robert trying to quiet the crowd in between songs, on American bootlegs "if you'd stop squeaking...". Listening to early shows like SF '69, Robert did seem to enjoy interacting with members of the audience. Another great article Cat, thanks!!

I also agree that Cat is doing a fantastic job retrieving old reviews/interview clips. I have always read about how the press was against Zep (Rolling Stone on a first hand basis), but it is great to see just how misguided they were. No mention of Good Times Bad Times?! I guess the reviewer must have been sharpening that axe. What's up with the polishing Tull received?! How the tables turn over time.......

You know, I did a search and nothing came up - oh well, didn't mean to pollute with another thread! Thanks for the link there were a bunch of great lines in there I always love when Robert stops and says "Oh, that sweet smell!" and "we play some old stuff, some new stuff and some pretty good stuff". In SF '69, I remember Robert having that conversation with the audience when someone throws him a joint and he says, "oh is that a going away present?" Keep sharing, it's great reading all of these lines Peace.

Glad to see that you are keeping up to date on a show that you hate so much. I don't think Beth O is as hot as everyone else seems to think, however I have not seen her in person and don't think she is a "horse face" as you and Sal have said. As said earlier, I don't understand how Howard can say he is a Zep fan and then rip on their appearance and also let that idiot come on and slam Zep for using other people's songs early in their career. Every song they remade was "Zeppelin-ized" and nothing like the original versions. To each his own......

You really think Wish You Were Here is not a great album? I agree with the others that you love, Ummagumma is a very Barrett-esque set, so why don't you like Piper...? Floyd was awesome though!

I thought it was the Band Of Joy where they met.

What's up fans from Oz? Any of you into JBT or Xavier Rudd? Peace.

Speaking of Floyd, how about '72-'77 - Obscured By Clouds, Dark Side..., Wish You Were Here, Animals? Now there is another great 5 year run. I still like Zep's 5 year run the most.

I was listening to Dallas '73 recently and Plant was too funny talking about JPJ's fractured ribs saying, "we thought he had gotten the clap". The band interactions during the Earl's Court shows were great also. I do remember Plant also introducing White Summer, by pale Jimmy Page (I think on the Blueberry Hill boot). Too funny What are some other great lines that everyone has heard?

I agree with everyone's response. I didn't see Whole Lotta Love, the beat he lays down really makes that song more interesting. Like Jimmy and JPJ are the foundation and Bonzo is soloing with his crazy pattern The more I listen to the man, the more I see why they didn't go on without him unlike other bands. For so long, I was all about Pagey. Now that I am older I am more and more impressed with John. I was listening to Dallas '73 (Fractured Ribs) last night and he was blowing me away during No Quarter. There will never be anyone as creative, yet driving that beat like Bonzo. RIP. Peace.

I have a bunch of vinyl boots also and I didn't know how rare they were until the other day when I was in my local classic record store (that occasionally has bootlegs). I have a hand full of 80 shows, the last American show at Oakland, the Persistence one that was spoken of earlier, the Japan '71 that was also spoken of earlier, the complete BBC recordings, Montreal '75 and Long Beach '75, a Plant show when Jimmy comes on for the encores, just to name the ones I can remember. Now, I just need to go and get another turn table?! Peace. "Art changes people, people change the world" - John Butler

I have a boot from Brussels, I think June 20, 1980, where they did an awesome version of it. The ending was great with Jonesy's keyboard, Bonham's drumming and Plant wailing "sometimes, sometiiiiimmes.......". It was great, I HAVE to get a new turn table and cassette player as I only have it on album and tape Peace. "Art changes people, people change the world." - John Butler

Didn't he do something with 7-up back in the 70's also? What I find interesting about that is how he had always been against commercializing Zeppelin - but then used Jimmy's riffs for that commercial (to gain some solo success). Whatever Percy?!

I have read other reviews that have followed the same storyline. Chicago comes to mind, when Page has a "stomach virus" which kept him in a chair until he could no longer perform. Anyway I have a copy of the Oakland show a couple of days later which was much better than what this sounded like. Sad. Peace. "Art changes people, people change the world." - John Butler

^ I do generally agree with your take kdh. Layne Staley did OD more recently, but like you said it does not happen as frequently. I also agree with the Over Europe tour. I wish more was out to capture the essence of the last phase of Zeppelin. I have 4 shows from that tour and not all was bad. All My Love was very good on most nights, In The Evening as well. Plus it was great to hear Train Kept A Rollin' open the show with Jimmy's distorted guitar playing. As far as '77 went, the set list was great. I feel that the band (Jimmy in particular) was feeling the pressure of living up to their aura they had created. They were the world's biggest band when the music industry was at its peak. Look at all of the imitator's that followed them for the next two decades. I fully believe that is why Robert doesn't want to continue performing as Zeppelin, too much to live up to. Peace. "Art changes people, people change the world." - John Butler

If you want to see some fucked up info. check this link out: http://democrats.reform.house.gov/IraqOnTheRecord It is about 237 misleading facts by the Bush Admin. that got us into this mess. What is not in here is things that were verified by our CIA at the time and later found to be wrong.

The Bible, as I am sure you all know, was passed down by word of mouth for many generations - so you can throw any truth out the window when it comes to that! I have seen Christian hatred off the charts as well, against gays, abortion doctors/clinics, etc. Back to the earlier discussion - after 5 years we are waiting for Bush's plan to "bloom"?! What has Bush ever done that has "bloomed" successfully? Kill all of the "bad guys"? When you kill one, three more are lined up behind to take their place. Reality check!

Misty Mountain Hop is a great song to put on the set list. Upbeat song, great riff, fun to sing and shake to. Glad they decided to play it. I thought it was weird to have Since I've Been Loving You attached to it back in '73. The song(s) stand much better alone. Looking back at the '88 reunion set, MMH was the best song they played that night. IMO. Peace.

John Lennon, without question.

'69 Texas Pop Festival - Page burns it up and JPJ does a short bass solo!!