Is anyone else really not interested in a tour or live show? The 02 show really seemed like the end-all to me as far as live performance goes. With no real new material, what would be the point? I've never gotten to see them live, but I sure don't wanna see some 70-somethings forcing themselves to rehash the same old routine. I'd much rather have some official live shows or something.

People are gonna be ungrateful and bitch about it, no matter what.

The more I read into all this, combined with what the two have said, the more I think there will be some kind of chronological live release. Which, to me, would be really disappointing. Especially if it's stuff already available on boot. Page's "A different perspective to HTWWW" and Plant's "It should capture the whole impact" kinda leads me to this revelation. I really hope it's the entire Bath show though lol. Edit: This really seals the deal for a chronological live album for me- "Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience recently changed its name to Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, and it appears the directive came from Led Zeppelin themselves. As Bonham – the son of Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, who died in 1980 – recently told KSHE 95, the original band plans to use "Led Zeppelin Experience" in a campaign marking its 50th anniversary this year."

I've been eyeballing this one. Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/282067560986 I have to say, Zep doesn't have a whole lot of appealing shirts. They're all either too much, or too basic. The 77 tour shirts have fallen into the poser/Walmart attire category. Anything with the hermit looks too off center. I gave my favorite one away to my sister a few years back and haven't seen one since. It was white and had the first album cover on front and the back of the third album on the back.

Excellent follow up post!

Jealous, for sure. Did you get a chance to see them at Knebworth?

This is exactly why I made a case for Southampton being the most important bootleg for the band. The sound quality, the small audience, the loose, imperfect but inspired playing, the set list. I like to put it on and pretend the band is playing in my garage lol. If only Plant would've warmed up pre-show.

Underrated- Montreal 75. This show is marred by Plant's voice and annoying loudmouths in the audience, but Page is playing quite well for a broken finger. Providence 73- Incredible performance with a murky recording. Overrated- I'll agree on 5/24/75. I recently watched these shows again and the band is definitely more "on" on the 25th. The 73 European shows on average. They certainly had some highlights, but really aren't a lot better than the rest of the tour. They just seemed to be a lot more experimental. Obviously, Southampton 73. I personally love the show because of the intimate, multitracked recording. But they play a little too loosely and Plant's voice is really rough.

I agree, but were those ever rated highly? You should be careful of criticizing Zep on a Zep forum, you might get called a troll lol.

I'm glad to see that Providence version get some love, Page is on another level. Shame those 73 versions were so short when he was playing this well.

I liked the introduction to Moby Dick on 5/24/75. "Somewhere out there watching is an eight year old kid. So Jason Bonham, here's your dad."

I've actually not seen these pics before. Thanks.

I've only seen pics of Jimmy when he already had an inch of facial hair. Are there any pics of him in the early stages? What's the first pic after he shaved?

Also Heartbreaker, maybe more than any other. I don't care for the studio version or the live versions (Except for maybe the West Coast 72 versions). As far as enduring no matter what, Rock And Roll, because I keep waiting to hear a version that matches the studio version. Still waiting lol. OTHAFA. Jimmy mixes that solo up so much it makes each version a treat. And the studio version might be my all time fav Zep tune. The Rain Song. I know this might be the least varied song Zep ever played live, but I listen every time. Maybe it's because I play guitar and each time I hear it, I'm in awe of how sophisticated and intricate the structure is. Achilles. Hell, I'll take the Tempe 77 version over just about any Heartbreaker.

Depends on which tour. Dazed after 73 has never really interested me. Same with WLL after 72. SIBLY after 73 is hard to swallow just because it was so played out. To me, this was a showoff song for Page and Plant and neither could top anything they did after 73. I do like the 4/28/77 version though (or 27, whichever was the audience source). I've never really enjoyed Misty Mountain Hop live. For me, that song simply has to have Rob's higher octave to sound good, otherwise he's got that straining on the toilet thing going. Like a user stated above, Moby Dick only gets played if I'm purposely listening to the entire show. Trampled Underfoot has me yawning after ten seconds. Page's solos for it were too forced and erratic and swamped in wah effect. Another track where I prefer the studio track. We're Gonna Groove in the early days. One of my least favorite Zep songs.

The Stones were great at catering to the mainstream. The mainstream came to Zep. Zep played blues rock with integrity and passion and the people who respected that integrity showed up to the shows. Meanwhile, the Stones were trying to convince teenage girls they were bad boys by singing songs from the "devils" point of view. Is this a Stones bashing thread, because it seems like it lol. Honestly though, who in their right mind would compare the two? I love the Stones and think Sticky Fingers is a top five must have classic rock album, but let's be real, they're a bunch of preschoolers in the shadow of Zep University. Albeit very marketable preschoolers in the 60s.

U.S., although I watched the British version years ago and actually enjoyed it more. Gervais' character was much more cringe worthy.

That's the first thing I thought as well and went back to watch earlier versions of the same songs. He's keeping that pinky out of the way for the most part and relying heavily on the ring finger for the bends, unlike the EC footage where he's bending with his middle finger and playing his pinky basically underneath his ring finger. He's still uses the ring finger for some quicker runs, but not much. I noticed it on the solos from OTHAFA, Black Dog, and Stairway. I also check Seattle 77 and Knebworth. He's back to normal on those shows, using his ring finger exclusively. That doesn't account for struggling to play the same solos he'd been nailing for years (i.e. Black Dog). I would excuse it because of the finger, but I think he was more fluid in the beginning of the tour and at EC. For some reason the middle has him struggling to play fluidly and remember what he's doing (drugs?). I think 2/7 is the first show where I can hear him lose some ability to solo smoothly and phrase on a high level. By 2/12 he's hit that sub par level where he struggles with syncopation. As a result, I think he changes his soloing from fast legato runs to more noodling and doing repetitive bends. The 2/13 OTHAFA solo shows this perfectly, and that's the rut he kind of gets stuck in for the remainder of 75.

Doing a marathon on The Office. I've avoided it for so long, so it's my first time watching.

I retract my statement on 3/21. It's certainly not a "disaster". But there's some major issues with his playing which I will P.M. to you guys later, since it's off topic here.

Interview disc and book by Chris Welch. Can't remember what the interview is from, but it's very long. Good Times, Bad Times. Photobook with a biography by Eddie McSquare. Pretty sure I worshiped this thing back in the nineties.

It's not that I have an axe to grind about the 75 tour (which is my favorite boot wise), it's that every time I make one comment about Jimmy's playing being on a lower level all of a sudden someone wants to argue about it. Then I naturally try to prove my point with examples and evidence, then get told "You weren't there so you don't know!", which is ridiculous. Yes, Page had many flubs throughout their entire career, but the contrast of his technical playing ability (both articulation and phrasing) on average between 73 and 75 is very noticeable. Sure, some people like his solos from 75 and later better, that's fine, but you can't make an argument on a technical level. Broken finger, drugs, whatever the reason, he was a different player after 73. Most people who play guitar and know what good playing sounds like will say the same. I promise I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here, but if someone wants to call me out on it, then I'm gonna argue my case. And nowhere between 70 and 73 did Page play an entire show where he simply sounded inebriated. This happened a few times after 73 and some shows were simply embarrassing. 3/21/75 is one of those shows. Houston 77 is another one. So I don't think it's "Nitpicking". It's just calling it like it is. I don't understand why people get so defensive over something so undeniable. Zep is my favorite band and Page is my favorite guitarist, but I'm not gonna deny his change in ability after 73, just like I won't deny the change in Robert's voice. Edit: Yes, those early shows were quite good and I've argued this many times. The Indianapolis show (posted above) and the Montreal shows have him playing great.

Alright, I'm trying to do some research on Page's technique in 75 and why he changed so much in 75. It's well known to most fans that he injured his ring finger before the 75 tour kicked off. I had always assumed he was a little "off" because he was still using his ring finger although it hurt like crazy. I also assumed the possibility that Page was taking painkillers which may or may not have led to a heroin addiction. Now I've discovered he substituted his ring finger with his pinky when playing. That's kind of mind blowing in itself. Rewiring your brain to play differently than you have been for a decade is pretty unbelievable, especially in just a few weeks. Using your pinky instead of your ring finger will definitely kill your fluidity, so it all kind of makes sense now. What doesn't make sense is why Page was still doing it by the Earls Court shows. Shouldn't a fractured finger tip have been healed by then? I've noticed on the EC shows that he avoids using the ring finger for lateral movement, but still uses it for some quick runs vertically. That honestly sounds like a sprain or carpal tunnel (not being able to move it in one specific direction). It's pretty evident in this part of Black Dog that he's avoiding using the ring finger. Playing this song with your pinky would be a nightmare.

An excellent solo from 1975 (Yes, I said it lol. He did have some good nights). Indianapolis 1/25. Did he have a broken finger at this point? Coz it doesn't sound like it. It's a shame Plant's voice is a wreck for this one.

You need your ears checked then. This desperate attempt to ignore Page's lack of technical ability is getting sad and repetitive. As I've pointed out many times already, "being there" doesn't mean Page wasn't missing those notes. I don't know why you keep falling back on that. Oh wait, I do. Because it's the only anecdote you've got. Just stop it already and accept the fact that Page wasn't as good after 73. Anyone who plays an instrument can tell you that. Edit: Did you hear that folks? If you were actually at the concerts Page didn't actually miss all those notes and his solos didn't wander aimlessly. It's amazing how a recording disguises things that don't have anything to do with a recording.