led zeppelin to reform

September 12, 2007 2:58 PM

led zeppelin to play one more time
posted by baker dave (128 comments total)

People, won't you listen now? Sing along--you don't know what you're missing now.
posted by fandango_matt at 3:01 PM on September 12, 2007

Thank goodness. Otherwise, Stairway to Heaven might never be heard again.
posted by brain_drain at 3:03 PM on September 12, 2007

Squeeze my soul, till the cash runs down my leg.
posted by basicchannel at 3:06 PM on September 12, 2007 [9 favorites has favorites]

What is this "laughter" I keep hearing about? It seems like I should remember it, but I just don't.
posted by The World Famous at 3:08 PM on September 12, 2007 [3 favorites has favorites]

This zeppelin, it is led?
posted by telstar at 3:10 PM on September 12, 2007

Finally, a use for this mudshark.
posted by Astro Zombie at 3:11 PM on September 12, 2007 [2 favorites has favorites]

truly one of the flat out *worst* live bands ever.
posted by quonsar at 3:11 PM on September 12, 2007

Oh no.
posted by fourcheesemac at 3:16 PM on September 12, 2007

Bron-y-yawn
posted by Flashman at 3:17 PM on September 12, 2007 [2 favorites has favorites]

Led Zepplin to reform? So are they digging up Bonham's corpse or is somebody killing the rest?

Seriously though, I just read up on Bonham's death. Form wikipedia:

Bonham had asked to stop for breakfast, where he downed four quadruple vodkas (roughly sixteen shots (~2/3 imperial quart, or ~8dl) of vodka), with a ham roll. After taking a bite of the ham roll he said to his assistant, "Breakfast". He then continued to drink heavily when he arrived at the studio.

Jesus, that guy's my new personal savior.
posted by lekvar at 3:19 PM on September 12, 2007

Man, I'd love to see zombie Bonham beat his kit with what's left of his hands, small bits of himself flying everywhere, but $255? I'll wait for the youtube post.
posted by sleepy pete at 3:20 PM on September 12, 2007

Most overrated band of all time.
posted by markulus at 3:21 PM on September 12, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

Wake me up when there's a Husker Du reunion.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 3:22 PM on September 12, 2007 [7 favorites has favorites]

Shit, way back when they played Live Aid Jimmy Page was so completely shit hammered that his fingers were bloated out like he had been floating face down in a river for a week before the show. At least, that's what it sounded like. He's got to be a full on toothless hobo by now, which should make for some quality entertainment; like watching the house band for Bumfights or something.
posted by The Straightener at 3:22 PM on September 12, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

with Bonham's son Jason on drums

Meh. That would be somewhat akin to a reunion of the Beatles featuring Julian Lennon and Dhani Harrison.
posted by blucevalo at 3:23 PM on September 12, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

truly one of the flat out *worst* live bands ever.

I dunno, from footage, their early touring years seemed pretty good. But past the Houses of the Holy years, their shows totally degenerated into, yeah, bad. I'm not old enough to have seen them live. I saw a Robert Plant solo gig about 16 or 17 years ago, and that was pretty solid.

I can't decide if I would have tried to see this show if it was in the US. I'm a pretty big Zeppelin fan, but by the time Page and Plant toured here, I passed, figuring that I'd already missed the boat. I'd probably feel the same if JPJ was added to the mix; it just feels like trying to capture a moment in time that has long passed.

Anyway, it's not in the states, so it's largely a moot point.

On preview:

Wake me up when there's a Husker Du reunion.

Don't tease.
posted by Brak at 3:24 PM on September 12, 2007

with Bonham's son Jason on drums

Meh. That would be somewhat akin to a reunion of the Beatles featuring Julian Lennon and Dhani Harrison.

But what about with Julian Lennon on Dhani Harrison?
posted by Brak at 3:27 PM on September 12, 2007

Wake me up when there's a Husker Du reunion.

ha ha ha ... NOT GONNA HAPPEN.
posted by R. Mutt at 3:30 PM on September 12, 2007

I told you! I told you in 1980 that they would be back! I told you!
posted by Sailormom at 3:31 PM on September 12, 2007

I told you! I told you in 1980 that they would be back! I told you!

This can only mean that the return of Bruce Lee is right around the corner.
posted by eyeballkid at 3:33 PM on September 12, 2007

My friend who bought four $600 tickets to the "last" Cream show was pretty pissed when they started talking about doing regular gigs again.
posted by StickyCarpet at 3:34 PM on September 12, 2007

Oh lordy.
posted by Artw at 3:36 PM on September 12, 2007

It would be great if they'd just play their good songs, which don't include Stairway to Heaven, Whole Lotta Love or the other radio hits. But then most people would hate the show.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 3:36 PM on September 12, 2007

Next up. A Led Zeppelin iPod.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 3:37 PM on September 12, 2007

what I really want see is McCartney, Townshend, Daltrey, and Ringo jam together
posted by matteo at 3:40 PM on September 12, 2007

what I really want see is McCartney, Townshend, Daltrey, and Ringo jam together

Flagged as "offensive content".
posted by interrobang at 3:47 PM on September 12, 2007 [6 favorites has favorites]

Meh. That would be somewhat akin to a reunion of the Beatles featuring Julian Lennon and Dhani Harrison.

Actually, there's probably some money to be made in forming a band with Julian Lennon, Dhani Harrison, Zak Starkey, and James McCartney. It would probably be a good band, too. Norah Jones could make some cameos, for old time's sake.

Really, Zak Starkey would be a better choice to play drums with a reunited Zeppelin than Jason Bonham, I think. Aside from the "keep it in the family" angle, obviously.

What they should have done is get a different famous guest drummer on each song. Danny Carey, Matt Cameron, Josh Freese, Dave Grohl, Stewart Copeland, Manu Katche, etc. It would have been so much more awesome than Jason Bonham. I suppose it wouldn't do to have a whole series of drummers who are better technically than John Bonham playing his songs. But Dave Grohl on Immigrant Song? Matt Cameron on Out On The Tiles? Stewart Copeland on Celebration Day? Manu Katche taking Moby Dick about 50 levels farther than it has ever been? It could have been so great.
posted by The World Famous at 3:50 PM on September 12, 2007

I see Foreigner is also on the bill. Ok ... so Mick Jones is still in the band, but it just seems dishonest to use the name without Lou Gramm.

Interestingly, Jason Bonham is listed in the band's current lineup.

(So is Jeff Pilson, formerly of Dokken ... hehe).
posted by itchylick at 3:51 PM on September 12, 2007

Did anyone else see that Cream concert from the Royal Albert Hall from a couple of years ago? Jesus God, Ginger Baker looked like he was about ready to keel over and Jack Bruce was not far behind. Clapton was not looking too good himself, but at least since he was never terribly animated in his youth, there wasn't too much of a drop off. But the sound was just terrible. They never should have done it, it was a travesty.

Not that you shouldn't be able to rock forever if you really want to, but realistically, you just can't. I hope they have the courtesy at least not to videotape this show. Though I love the 2 dvd live set that Page put out a few years back, the stuff from 1969 and 1970 was fantastic, but the footage from 1980 was abysmal. They were death warmed over even then. This can't get better with age.
posted by psmealey at 3:53 PM on September 12, 2007

I haven't fallen for any of these "one last time" deals since I saw The Who's farewell tour. In 1982.

That's a nice photo of Robert Plant's dad.

Wake me up when there's a Jam reunion.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:54 PM on September 12, 2007 [3 favorites has favorites]

Were they any good Live at The Old Refectory, Southampton University, January 22, 1973? I think they were. [You've only got a couple of days left to get this]
posted by tellurian at 3:54 PM on September 12, 2007 [3 favorites has favorites]

Also.... I'd probably commit murder in order to see a Husker Du reunion show.
posted by psmealey at 3:54 PM on September 12, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

I'd probably commit murder in order to see a Husker Du reunion show.

I already tried that. All it got me was Sugar, which was ok, but, in hindsight, not worth killing for.
posted by The World Famous at 3:58 PM on September 12, 2007

aaaahhaaaaah!

I come from the land where the old folks go
with the pepsodent and the church bingo...
posted by kuujjuarapik at 4:01 PM on September 12, 2007 [4 favorites has favorites]

"The rock giants split in 1980 following the death of drummer John Bonham, who famously choked on his own vomit following a drinking binge."

At least, they're pretty sure it was his own vomit ... not someone else's vomit ... 'cause, y'know, they can't fingerprint vomit ...

/Spinal Tap
posted by ZenMasterThis at 4:04 PM on September 12, 2007

I second The Jam reunion!
posted by elmono at 4:05 PM on September 12, 2007

Some things are just best left to memory and/or youtube.

So someone is having a hard time making the mortgage on their Castle? Maybe we should take up a collection so they can skip this. I love Zep, but, No Thank You!

Ok, now someone do a good Huskers FPP.
posted by snsranch at 4:22 PM on September 12, 2007

Jason's not a bad drummer, but he isn't his dad, and without his dad, Zep isn't Zep.
posted by jonmc at 4:25 PM on September 12, 2007

Ok, now someone do a good Huskers FPP.

I'm up to my quota for today, but here's one I put together a few years ago and it predates my knowledge of YouTube, so no video there.
posted by psmealey at 4:30 PM on September 12, 2007

Wake me up when there's a Jam reunion.

Well, there has been a spate of punk and alt.rock reunions over the past few years (Hell, I shelled out money to see the reformed Dictators close down CB's.*) And they aren't exactly spring chickens either. Are they becoming like the 'dinosaur' rockers they once mocked?

My point is, Zep, the Jam, the Stones, whoever all started out as punk kids who said 'let's form a band' and got lucky and made it big. Who's to say they should stop playing? If you don't like them, don't go (and in the case of this Zep reunion, I won't for the reason I mentioned in my last comment.

Chuck Klosterman wrote an essay about seeing Styx and Jorney and REO playing on a 'classic rock cruise ship.' He mentions that Styx guitarist JY Young looks 'like somebody in his mid-fifties who plays in a band.' I remember my first thought being 'Well, if he can still make a living playing in a band, and he's still having fun, more power to him.' I doubt that any of these groups harbor ideas about reaching commercial heights again or artistic heights either. But what's he supposed to do, become a Wal-Mart greeter. If I was him I'd do the same thing.
posted by jonmc at 4:33 PM on September 12, 2007

Did anyone else see that Cream concert from the Royal Albert Hall

My previously mentioned friend taped all of the Madison Square Garden shows. The quality of the performances varied greatly, one night really soared. Interestingly, it was the day after the NY Times panned the previous show.

Ginger Baker going on and on about how buying counterfeit T-shirts was like mugging him personally was pretty pathetic.
posted by StickyCarpet at 4:35 PM on September 12, 2007

To be absolutely fair, I have seen both Mission of Burma and Gang of Four in the last couple of years, and they were both far better than I remembered them being back in the day. Similar for Dinosaur Jr., who were just as good.
posted by psmealey at 4:36 PM on September 12, 2007

Chuck Klosterman wrote an essay about seeing Styx and Jorney and REO playing on a 'classic rock cruise ship.'

The one thing that stands out in this list is that Journey is minus Steve Perry, who, let's be real, made that band what it is. The really weird thing about the "new" Journey is that they found some guy who imitates Steve Perry to such a degree the audience spends the whole time trying to catch him lip-synching to the original recorded voice tracks.

On the topic at hand: I wouldn't pay to see this show, but I wouldn't refuse the tickets if someone handed them to me (as well as plane fare to the UK). Hey man, I didn't go see the Rage Against the Machine reunion concert that recently took place in my own state -- I'm definitely not seeing a reunion Zep concert.

thanotopsis returns to playing Nobody's Fault But Mine at volume 11.
posted by thanotopsis at 4:48 PM on September 12, 2007

Most overrated band of all time.

Sorry, that award has already been handed out to Kiss.
posted by fusinski at 4:50 PM on September 12, 2007 [3 favorites has favorites]

Wake me up when there's a Jackson 5 reunion.
posted by mr_roboto at 4:53 PM on September 12, 2007

psmealey, thanks.
posted by snsranch at 4:54 PM on September 12, 2007

Wake me up when there's a Jackson 5 reunion.

Something tells me that would be torture.
posted by The World Famous at 4:56 PM on September 12, 2007

With Page and Plant already pulling in the Zep crowd, this seems unnecessary.

I too would love a Hüsker Dü reunion.
posted by porn in the woods at 4:59 PM on September 12, 2007

Most overrated band of all time.

Sorry, that award has already been handed out to Kiss.

No. The Smiths. Radiohead is a close second.
posted by jonmc at 4:59 PM on September 12, 2007

Squeeze my soul, till the cash runs down my leg

Not fair, the proceeds are going to charity. More like, squeeze my soul, til the philanthropy runs down my leg.

Also, The Mighty Rearranger was a damn good album. No reason to think these guys can't still deliver the goods, although you're not getting Zeppelin, as jonmc notes.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 5:03 PM on September 12, 2007

Some tragic, related news:

Steve Perry

June 21, 2007

Hello everyone. This is Steve Perry. As you are aware I have yet to launch my own web site and Fan Asylum is still the only credible site for official statements from me. Once again they have kindly allowed me to post this statement. It has been brought to my attention that there is a rumor circulating that I am reuniting with Journey. I want to go on record as saying that I have no such plans whatsoever to do that. What you have heard is only a rumor. I’m truly sorry for any disappointment this rumor may be causing.

I also would like to say that your faithfulness continues to warm my heart.

Thank you so very much,

Steve Perry
posted by mecran01 at 5:22 PM on September 12, 2007

Your favorite classic rock sucks.
posted by zardoz at 5:32 PM on September 12, 2007

This Led Zeppelin, is it something I would need to have a rose stuck down my pants to understand?
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:34 PM on September 12, 2007

Wake me for the Snoop Dogg reunion!

amirite?
posted by Kwine at 5:36 PM on September 12, 2007

This Led Zeppelin, is it something I would need to have a rose stuck down my pants to understand?

No, you're thinking of The Smiths.
posted by The World Famous at 5:44 PM on September 12, 2007

Snark city in here, whoa.

I think it's a nice gesture and, barring the eventual release of a live DVD/CD, has a sincere feel about it. Robert Plant at least has been hinting that the band might reform as a tribute to Ahmet Ertegun for some time.

One thing's certain: tellurian's link upthread is some sweet stuff indeed. I've only heard the first CD, but IMHO it's far better than many Led Zeppelin boots.
posted by stinkycheese at 5:50 PM on September 12, 2007

Thanks for that fantastic link, tellurian.
posted by interrobang at 6:04 PM on September 12, 2007

Bah to all your snarking, bah I say!

The only reason I started listening to rock and roll was Led Zeppelin. Everything else was crap.

And I can't believe I'm the first to say this, but...

...ZEPPELIN RULES!
posted by Pastabagel at 6:09 PM on September 12, 2007

psmealey writes "Not that you shouldn't be able to rock forever if you really want to, but realistically, you just can't."

Sure you can. I've seen guys in their 70s and 80s blow crowds away. But for almost everyone it means you have to take your craft seriously, which means continuing to practice daily, and avoid hard drugs and heavy boozing. Some rare souls can pull it off for decades no matter how they live their lives or treat themselves, but eventually they'll hit a wall, too. But if you live well and work on your shit, you can play well into wretched old age. You can kick the kids off your lawn with the blasting of your Marshall stack!
posted by krinklyfig at 6:17 PM on September 12, 2007

I was talking to a guy who saw Styx perform just a couple years back, and apparently they're putting on a great show.

YOU'RE MY LADY, OF THE MORNING! LOVE SHINES, IN YOUR EYES!
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 6:20 PM on September 12, 2007

Hey, I personally saw Robert Plant stuff a rose down his pants at the Chicago Stadium (or was it the Amphitheatre)?, at a Led Zep concert in the early 1970s that was fortuitously cruelly cut short by Jimmy Page's horrific attack of [wink, nudge] "gastroenteritis. But hey, I suppose it might actually have been a mop-haired Moz. After all, I was young and gullible.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:21 PM on September 12, 2007

Oh, and it helps if you're not just rehashing the same stuff over and over, and instead have some sort of creative output.
posted by krinklyfig at 6:26 PM on September 12, 2007

*waps jonmc with a handful of gladiolas*

Impugn the Smiths, will you?

*wap* *wap*
posted by everichon at 6:31 PM on September 12, 2007

I can't see how it's possible that the Smiths are overrated. I liked them a bunch, but I think they were merely 'rated'. They were an amusing little post-punk pop band that made a relatively minor splash on the college rock circuit in the late 80s.

Did Johnny Marr run over your dog and steal your girlfriend, jonmc? I've seen you trash the Smiths in other threads, and I'm not exactly sure where it's coming from.
posted by psmealey at 6:47 PM on September 12, 2007

NO.

Look, I'm sorry. I listened to "Stairway to Heaven" in my junior high creative writing class like everyone else. I was traumatized by Robert Plant singing adult contemporary music in a Tom Wolfe suit in my later youth, like everyone else. I didn't understand what the BFD was about Led Zeppelin, like everyone else (who barely stirred themselves to post "meh" here with their little finger).

Then I listened to "Kashmir" on the way home from the lake one summer night, that cool wind in my hair, weedily altered but not too, just that nice little itch. And I finally got it, got what millions of beautiful golden hair hippie-rocker girls got before me. I got the fever for Robert Plant.

I have never heard another man able to sing so softly and sweetly and worshipfully about beautiful ladies in the garden filled with faeries and talking animals and hooded druids holding lamps and whatnot, and then moments later scream and howl like a wounded beast because he wants to fuck them by the hedgerow until they all die from the sheer sweaty joy of it. (I apologize for being so crass but there's really no polite way to put it, I'm afraid.) Robert Plant makes the unicorn poster on your childhood wall okay. Robert Plant also makes your later insatiable bloody lust, denied by every church and state, okay. In fact, he makes it glorious.

I cannot bear to watch him, old and baggy as a bulldog, try to recapture that. I can't and I won't. It's not right to expect any human man to walk outside of time but I expected it of Robert Plant, who has trafficked with dark forces and has the penis that can cure major depression to prove it. It's not right to ask him to be a beautiful god forever, but I am.

Please don't do this, Robert Plant. Please. If it's the money, a lot of older, sadder, but sometimes richer grey-haired ladies will cut you a check. Just say the word.
posted by melissa may at 6:49 PM on September 12, 2007 [10 favorites has favorites]

Jason's not a bad drummer, but he isn't his dad, and without his dad, Zep isn't Zep.

You are a gentleman Jon Lad. Jason is neither here not there, but as you say, without a time machine I really don't see the point of a zep reunion.

I can't be driving in a black van somewhere on 93 in New Hampshire (Something I like to do at least once a year), smoking on a pinner joint of ditch weed with a couple blasts of coffee brandy in me without some goddam "Baybee baybee baybee..." to bug out to, then a little Dazed and Confused, then quick switch the tape to Black Sabbath please, but wow, I guess Zep hate is a real revisionist kinda thing nowadays.
posted by Divine_Wino at 6:50 PM on September 12, 2007

Jon doesn't get the Smiths, he's still a good guy, they're still a good band, Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ.
posted by Divine_Wino at 6:56 PM on September 12, 2007

I've seen you trash the Smiths in other threads, and I'm not exactly sure where it's coming from.

They're just the antithesis of what I like. and they spawned legions of whiny prissy pooftahs.
posted by jonmc at 6:59 PM on September 12, 2007

Back when everyone was getting into the Smiths and the Cure I was into Metallica and The Replacements. I think you can see the diametrical opposition.
posted by jonmc at 7:03 PM on September 12, 2007

I got to see Crowded House a few weeks ago. I'm good on the "reformed band minus the dead drummer" score, thanks.
posted by jscalzi at 7:04 PM on September 12, 2007

Reuniting without your original drummer? Hey, it worked for The Who... for one album.

Actually, there's a couple bands that are on a second (or third, or whatever) drummer and still kicking ass: DEVO, uh... hm... shit.
posted by SansPoint at 7:08 PM on September 12, 2007

Back when everyone was getting into the Smiths and the Cure I was into Metallica and The Replacements.

I would argue "everyone" was listening to Michael Jackson, Culture Club and Madonna back then. The Smiths and the Cure were still somewhat obscure. For my own part, I was actually into all of those bands at that time, didn't really see the point to self select for aesthetics, or limit to genres for whatever reason.

Would it enhance your view of them if you know that one Steven Patrick Morrissey was the president of the Manchester New York Dolls fan club? I've actually always been impressed by that.
posted by psmealey at 7:12 PM on September 12, 2007

I've seen Husker Du and many other seminal punks of that era. And I did see Led Zeppelin on one of those nights when they did find fire in a bottle. And IMHO, Led was without exception the nastiest, hardest, most relentless muthas on the block. And don't you know, the hatchet has been officially buried in the war between the punks and the dinosaurs.
posted by Ber at 7:17 PM on September 12, 2007

This can only mean that the return of Bruce Lee is right around the corner.

Not without some serious smelling salts and a heater.
posted by bwg at 7:20 PM on September 12, 2007

Are you saying Face Dances was a good album, SansPoint? Granted, it's better than It's Hard, but not by much.
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:23 PM on September 12, 2007

Would it enhance your view of them if you know that one Steven Patrick Morrissey was the president of the Manchester New York Dolls fan club?

Well, like Charley the Tuna, he may have good taste, but he dosen't taste good, at least to me.
posted by jonmc at 7:33 PM on September 12, 2007

Pete and Bill Wyman? I'd hit that.
posted by Riverine at 7:44 PM on September 12, 2007

jonmc once told me his deepest, darkest secret: he owns everything the Human League ever recorded.
posted by Item at 7:50 PM on September 12, 2007

I like the Smiths, Metallica, the Cure, and the Replacements. I don't see the contradiction.
posted by popechunk at 8:00 PM on September 12, 2007

Say what you want about LZ being too old to reunite, they can't possibly be worse than this, which I actually paid money for.
posted by popechunk at 8:06 PM on September 12, 2007

Chuck Klosterman wrote an essay about seeing Styx and Jorney and REO playing on a 'classic rock cruise ship.'

I was going to go on this so I could laugh at the other patrons but then I figured that that was probably what everyone else was doing. I worked in the travel industry when this happened and people would ask if they could hang out with the band when not on stage. The company running the cruise added a disclaimer that the band would not necessarily be on the boat for the whole cruise and could only guarantee they'd be on the water during stage time. I thought that was pretty fucking funny.
posted by dobbs at 8:09 PM on September 12, 2007

Thanks for the link tellurain.
posted by marxchivist at 8:38 PM on September 12, 2007

I saw Crowded House recently too, and they were great. I never got to see the original lineup, but I love their albums, and their humor and silliness onstage (combined with the talent, which I already knew about) puts them firmly in my Top 5.

One of my other all-time favorites is The Connells, the great lost "college rock/jangle pop" band from Raleigh, North Carolina. My greatest brush-with-fame moment was getting to have beers with them backstage after a concert when we'd bought pitchers for the drummer (Peele Wemberly) and the roadies before the show. They almost broke through with Ring in 1993; "'74-'75" was big in Europe. Peele Wimberley and George Huntley left the band long after it was clear they'd never be as popular as they deserved to be, and I've always thought, why not just stay in the band? It's not like they've gone on to bigger and better things, and The Connells are great.

I heard about Radiohead for years before I heard one of their songs knowing it was them, and I wondered what all the fuss'd been about. (And it turned out I knew, and liked, some of their songs OK, but they're Coldplay with feedback.)

that cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air?

I personally saw Robert Plant stuff a rose down his pants at the Chicago Stadium
Thornless, I hope.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:42 PM on September 12, 2007

Were they any good Live at The Old Refectory, Southampton University, January 22, 1973? I think they were.

zep in the studio ruled. but take a listen to the six string suckfest that is the outro solo to Black Dog and you'll see: it would have been merciful indeed if jimmy page had been taken out back and put out of his misery sometime prior to 1970. that is just damned painful to listen to.
posted by quonsar at 8:49 PM on September 12, 2007

they're Coldplay with feedback

But....see, they....it's just that, well....

Fuck it, I won't even try.

*shakes head sadly*

And what's stopping a Huskers reunion, anyway? Grant needs the money, Greg's probably bored with the restaurant, and Bob....

Oh, wait. It's Bob, isn't it?
posted by BitterOldPunk at 9:04 PM on September 12, 2007

I get a kick out of the Middle Earth motifs I've seen. Bring those back too!

Most overrated band of all time.

Sorry, that award has already been handed out to Kiss.

It's an annual handout. Others include Cheap Trick, Van Halen, the Cure, Oasis (and your favourite band(s) and mine of course.))

Back when everyone was getting into the Smiths and the Cure I was into Metallica and The Replacements. I think you can see the diametrical opposition.

I sure can. The Smiths are nothing like the Cure but Metallica are almost as awful as the Cure.

This thread, by the way, has been hilarious.

There are rumours of a Pavement reunion. I heard Genesis and the Police were playing again too. I was even offered Police tickets but I won't see a band in a stadium or large venue anymore.

Then there's news of a new Blur disc.

Yay for music!
posted by juiceCake at 9:10 PM on September 12, 2007

take a listen to the six string suckfest that is the outro solo to Black Dog and you'll see

no - the real problem with it is that what bonham and jones are playing isn't quite meaty enough for page to be playing off the way he does, with all the outside notes and odd scales - a second guitarist would have helped with that - after awhile, they dropped this

it's a brilliant solo - and damn few bands could pull that song off live at all without falling apart

the one thing i've found really interesting about zeppelin live, from what i've heard, is that they were willing to take chances and do some real improvisation
posted by pyramid termite at 9:26 PM on September 12, 2007

I heard Genesis and the Police were playing again too.

would that be genesis with peter gabriel? otherwise, forget it
posted by pyramid termite at 9:27 PM on September 12, 2007

quonsar, that was a pretty inventive little solo, and remarkably tight for jimmy page. he always had the guts to go for licks he could barely play, but that made him more interesting, in my book.
posted by nonreflectiveobject at 9:31 PM on September 12, 2007

Skittish as I am about being quonsar's wingman, I agree with him that that solo was extremely shitty. I don't really have any other content to add...maybe I am a good quonsar wingman after all!
posted by Kwine at 9:47 PM on September 12, 2007

sorry, melissa may, but you missed the boat - Bonzo made Zep. Pagey made it sound good and provided the direct-from-God riffs, and JPJ held it together. Plant was the obligatory front man, and he did a darn good job of it - but really, when all is said and done, Bonham was the most unique thing that Zep brought to the table. (Which is not to denigrate the others - 4 supremely talented voices, in my opinion - but Bonham was THAT good.)

/imho
posted by fingers_of_fire at 9:54 PM on September 12, 2007

Bonzo made Zep

people listen to zep for the guitar playing - musicians listen to zep for the drumming

jimmy's excellent, john paul jones is very good, plant good to annoying, but bonzo was one of the all time greats
posted by pyramid termite at 10:00 PM on September 12, 2007

Back when everyone was getting into the Smiths and the Cure I was into Metallica and The Replacements. I think you can see the diametrical opposition.

Me, I found room for all four in my listening habits, and poppy pop AM radio stuff too, back in the day. Music is good.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 11:25 PM on September 12, 2007

What is it about music threads that brings out the worst in metafilter?
posted by Alex404 at 11:35 PM on September 12, 2007

My favorite CD is The Best of Music.
posted by The Deej at 11:47 PM on September 12, 2007

I saw Robert Plant play at the Green Man Festival in Wales a few weeks back. His performance was good - a bit too self indulgent - but good nontheless. He blasted out some Led Zep hits and kept the crowd happy. His voice was surprisingly OK. I reckon seeing the lot of them prancing about and try to recapture their youth would be great!
posted by algreer at 1:17 AM on September 13, 2007

Thirding fingers_of_fire and pyramid termite. They're right on the money. Bonham made Led Zeppelin.

But Alex404: say whaaaat? You think this is the worst in Metafilter? I can only assume you never visit the atheist threads.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:32 AM on September 13, 2007

Bonham made Led Zeppelin.

I guess so. But J.P. Jones was the glue that stuck it all together.
posted by Wolof at 4:28 AM on September 13, 2007

Amen to that Wolof. Watching their live stuff it was a revelation to me that not only was Jones locking down the rhythm parts with the often overbearing (but nevertheless tasty) Bonham, his bass runs also double as a second guitarist support to Page. He's often playing the melody (particularly in Black Dog and the Ocean) when Page goes off on one of his flights of fancy.

John Bonham is probably, stylistically, the most influential rock drummer of all time, but every guy in that band knew what the fuck they were doing and they were all equal parts the sound of the band. I don't think you can carve out any single guy in the band as having "made" Led Zeppelin.

Unlike, say in ACDC, where you could replace Phil Rudd and Malcolm Young with pretty much anyone and it would sound pretty the same.
posted by psmealey at 4:35 AM on September 13, 2007

Angus without Malcolm is not possible. They are joined at the hip.

*whacks ten types of crap out of a Duo Jet*
posted by Wolof at 5:40 AM on September 13, 2007

Amen to a Husker Du reunion -- seems very unlikely, but we never thought we'd see the Ashetons back Iggy again, did we?

What I'd like to see is David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain from the Dolls matched up with Kramer, Davis and Thompson from the MC5...
posted by AJaffe at 6:14 AM on September 13, 2007

What is it about music threads that brings out the worst in metafilter?
posted by Alex404 at 2:35 AM on September 13

This has been far from the worse. In fact, I find it to be a laugh and people tend to be enjoying themselves. Perception, like musical taste, differs once again.
posted by juiceCake at 6:23 AM on September 13, 2007

I agree 100% with juiceCake. I often find it hilarious when people get offended that utter strangers on the intarwebs tell them that their favorite bands suck. Almost as as amusing is the conversation that ensues when people whose taste I otherwise understand, inexplicably pronounce their hatred of certain artists.

Then again, if I hated music threads, I probably wouldn't have posted 24 of them (and counting) to date.
posted by psmealey at 6:35 AM on September 13, 2007

when people whose taste I otherwise understand, inexplicably pronounce their hatred of certain artists.

I'm here to proclaim my essential hatred (inexplicable?) for Robert Plant. I agree with my buddies Wolof and psmealey, though, about John Paul Jones, who is excellent and I'll admit to a certain bias (I am a drummer, after all) toward Bonham that may lean a little too far over into his corner. Jimmy Page? Uh... I can take him or leave him, actually, and more likely the latter. I've heard, though, that he was key in getting Bonham's drum sound onto tape and onto vinyl, and if that's true, he deserves major kudos for that.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:53 AM on September 13, 2007

Definitely, flapjax. Putting the drums in the recording studio's hallway for "When the Levee Breaks" was a masterstroke. Simple idea, yet inspired. It's probably one of the most memorable (and among the most sampled) drum tracks of all time.
posted by psmealey at 7:04 AM on September 13, 2007

Didn't J.P. Jones do much of the arrangements and other subtler things that end up contributing greatly to Zep's sound?
posted by oddman at 7:06 AM on September 13, 2007

John Paul Jones is the most underrated member of Zep. He did most of the arrangements and I think was left uncredited for a lot of the things that made Zep an interesting band. Of course Bonham was amazing and irreplaceble, but from many accounts it was the musical relationship between Jones and Bonham that made them musically satisfying.
posted by ob at 7:32 AM on September 13, 2007

I'm gonna put in a plug for my just-posted FPP on Willie Dixon. Hey, it's on-topic, after all: Led Zep *borrowed* a few tunes from him...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:38 AM on September 13, 2007

...it was the musical relationship between Jones and Bonham that made them musically satisfying.

Which, unsurprisingly, is often the case with bassists and drummers. They're the core rhythm section, after all. At their best, they're sort of joined at the hip.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:45 AM on September 13, 2007

i've enjoyed this thread. i've always been convinced of two things: the black dog outro solo on the album was one of the most unique, inventive and classy things page ever recorded, and he recorded a LOT of them, and page in any live settings i've heard has never turned in anything more than pure SLOP. why that is, i don't know - but it is undeniable that early zep records were raging fireballs of pure rocking fury. i wore the grooves off them all, my adolescence was marked by the muffled thunder of zep emanating from behind my bedroom door and my father's voice bellowing up the stairwell:

"turn that shit down, goddammit!"
posted by quonsar at 8:02 AM on September 13, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

page in any live settings i've heard has never turned in anything more than pure SLOP. why that is, i don't know

Two reasons: smack and beer.

That said, the stuff on How the West Was Won is still some of the best live recorded music of the era. As a matter of fact, I was just listening to Black Dog on that collection on the way to work this morning. I have to say, the chorus riff (the part after Ah, ah, ahhh ah, ah, ah, ahhhhhh) is the monster rock riff of all time, and still stands up.

100% agreed on the outtro solo. Very eloquently put.
posted by psmealey at 8:20 AM on September 13, 2007

Most overrated band of all time.... Radiohead is a close second.

Why must you hurt me so? *tear*
posted by Windigo at 8:52 AM on September 13, 2007

I'll ignore the Smiths-bashing, as they are GODS!

But I never liked Zeppelin. For years I had to listen but never saw the appeal. That is, until a few friends of mine asked me to be in their Zeppelin cover band. Agreeing to that, I had to learn Four Sticks on the drums, Tangerine, Kashmir, etc. It's not the band that I like, it's the music! What amazing composition. I'm shocked most fans dont know they are listening to very non-rock rock. I may not have a single album of theirs now, but I gotta say they were ahead of their time musically. Props.
posted by Dantien at 9:17 AM on September 13, 2007

And it turned out I knew, and liked, some of their songs OK, but they're Coldplay with feedback.

Gah.... I would call this blasphemy if I could but summon the strength.

Melissa May's comment is the best one in this thread, imo. What made Zeppelin was not necessarily their blues influences or the great drumming or any of that stuff. It was steamy flareups of sex, and the dreams of fourteen year old girls.

I saw them in 1972, and my ears rang for two days. My imagination rang for a bit longer than that.
posted by jokeefe at 9:54 AM on September 13, 2007

Yeah, Jimmy Page (and Robert Plant) sound great on How the West Was Won, but there are lots of not so stellar recorded live moments as well, including on Song Remains the Same.

I heard about Radiohead for years before I heard one of their songs knowing it was them, and I wondered what all the fuss'd been about. (And it turned out I knew, and liked, some of their songs OK, but they're Coldplay with feedback.)


Flagged as hilarious!
posted by ludwig_van at 10:07 AM on September 13, 2007

including on Song Remains the Same

No doubt. That album is a steaming bowl of elephant piss. The ponderous 24 minute version of Dazed and Confused is singularly uninspired and terrible, and it also lacks bona fide live gems like Black Dog, Heartbreaker and the Immigrant Song. It's hard to believe they released it given the preponderance of high quality stuff they released later (West Was Won, BBC Recordings).

However, the callout "does anyone remember laughter" is still a cultural touchstone for members of at least two generations.
posted by psmealey at 10:17 AM on September 13, 2007

...Coldplay with feedback...

Wow. That's just... wow.
posted by Artw at 10:22 AM on September 13, 2007

Man, I always forget how funny taste wars are on mefi. Thanks, everyone!

I'm pretty sure that Grant Hart still plays some of his HD songs at shows if you can catch one. It's been a long time since I've seen him, though.
posted by sleepy pete at 11:06 AM on September 13, 2007

Much as I love Bob, Hart's tunes ("Girl Who Lived on Heaven Hill", "Don't Want to Know if You are Lonely") are some of my favorite songs of all time.

Bob still plays a fair number of Husker songs in his acoustic shows ("Celebrated Summer", "Makes no Sense at All").
posted by psmealey at 11:11 AM on September 13, 2007

But I don't wanna hear Bob whine acoustically. I wanna hear him roar electrically. I wanna see on stage that tense Bob-song/Grant-song who-can-outdo-each-other push-pull that made them so lovely and volatile. And, I guess, broke them up.

Wah.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:58 AM on September 13, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

No, I agree, psmealey, Grant's were my favorites as well (I've actually been re-listening to a lot of their stuff recently... it's been a long time since I'd heard it). I thought Bob was still doing the electro stuff.

And BitterOldPunk, that was always what made them great and now that they both publically hate each other, I doubt they'll ever get back together, even for a Pepsi-sponsored event. Sorry, dude.
posted by sleepy pete at 12:20 PM on September 13, 2007

John Paul Jones is the most underrated member of Zep.
I have to agree. And John Enstwhile is the most underrated member of The Who.

And finally:

I'd put you down where you belong
But i'm never talking to you again
I'd show you everywhere you're wrong
But i'm never talking to you again
I'm never talking to you again
I'm never talking to you
I'm tired of wasting all my time
Trying to talk to you
posted by Sailormom at 3:30 PM on September 13, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

I loved Led Zep back in my teenage just discovering non pop crap years. Still wallow shamelessly when I hear them, although I also admit to never having bought one of their records.

Reunions can be very good, though (ageism is rife in this thread!). I saw The Pixies earlier this year and they were just astonishingly good. What I like to do when seeing older bands is take my glasses off and that helps to a. make me feel slightly (more) stoned and b. ignore the crusty old farts on stage (handily, I can put them on again really easily if they do something visually amusing; the band, not the glasses).
posted by h00py at 3:53 AM on September 14, 2007

My ageist comment was only as it related to the Cream 2005 Royal Albert Hall concert DVD. They just seemed so old, so tired and uninspired, to film it for wide release, I think, actually damaged their legacy, as they were such an incredible improvisational force in their day. A cautionary tale for Zeppelin, to be sure.

As for reunions, since seeing the Sex Pistols Lucre tour, I'll admit, I have seen more than a few of these (JFA, MDC, Mission of Burma, Television, the Smithereens, Dinosaur Jr, Descendents, Crowded House, Gang of Four) in the last 10 years, and they were all great. When the Pixies did it, I admit to being a little depressed, as they were the first band to do so that was actually in my peer group, and was a reminder of how old I have gotten.
posted by psmealey at 4:12 AM on September 14, 2007

I, too, am a crusty old fart.
posted by h00py at 4:23 AM on September 14, 2007

And yes, it is depressing.
posted by h00py at 4:24 AM on September 14, 2007

120 million hits on the Ahmet Tribute site.
posted by tellurian at 8:53 AM on September 14, 2007

My sweet Satan!! It's Stairway to Heaven backwards.
posted by psmealey at 7:09 PM on September 14, 2007