Led Zeppelin — 鈥楥elebration Day鈥�
It certainly has been a long time since I rocked and rolled to the sounds of Led Zeppelin.
I fondly recall purchasing the legendary band鈥檚 debut effort and being completely blown away with the raw power delivered by songs like 鈥淒azed and Confused,鈥� 鈥淐ommunication Breakdown鈥� and 鈥淏abe I鈥檓 Gonna Leave You.鈥�
Later in high school, it seemed as if everybody owned a copy of the band鈥檚 classic fourth album with no name. 鈥淐elebration Day鈥� is truly a time to revel in Led Zeppelin鈥檚 greatness as fans get to experience the band reunited Dec. 10, 2007, for a one-night only reunion show as a tribute to Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. This performance marks the band鈥檚 first headlining show together since disbanding in 1980 after drummer John Bonham鈥檚 untimely death. Founding members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones are joined on stage with Jason Bonham filling in on drums for his late father. From the thunderous guitar riffs and pounding drums of the show opener, 鈥淕ood Times Bad Times,鈥� to the rousing encore closer, 鈥淩ock and Roll,鈥� the seasoned rockers shake off the rust and get the 鈥渓ed out鈥� during the two-hour set. Plant is in fine voice belting out the lyrics to 鈥淏lack Dog,鈥� 鈥淢isty Mountain Top鈥� and the all-time rock classic 鈥淪tairway to Heaven鈥� with the same swagger the charismatic frontman delivered back in 1971. Page shows why he鈥檚 one of rock鈥檚 greatest guitarists, providing the fiery licks to 鈥淩amble On,鈥� 鈥淣obody鈥檚 Fault But Mine鈥� and the epic showstopper 鈥淜ashmir.鈥�
Jones shines on bass and keyboard on the stirring 鈥淒azed and Confused,鈥� while Bonham demonstrates that he is his father鈥檚 son, hammering out the beat on 鈥淭rampled Under Foot.鈥� While many of Led Zeppelin鈥檚 signature songs are performed, the band surprisingly delivers a rousing version of 鈥淔or Your Life,鈥� a track they have never performed live. At times, the performance seems bittersweet as fans relish hearing the band recapture the glory days of the 1970s, yet realize that a more permanent reunion will likely never happen. For now, simply enjoy one of the greatest rock bands of all time performing some of the greatest rock songs ever. Rejoice and celebrate.