Provided to YouTube by Rhino AtlanticImmigrant Song (Remaster) · Led ZeppelinMothership℗ 2007 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA In...
Funny thing, Led Zeppelin was HUGE in my teen years. I had friends who, when I went to their houses, had Led Zeppelin, seemingly, playing non-stop. I thought at the time, OK, if I hear (that song) I’m going to scream. Later, I would learn that (that song) was Kashmir. Now one of my favorite LZ songs.... my god, those strings, Plant’s vocals, if only ANY of today’s singers/bands could come up with something as powerful, unique, meaningful. Listening to this now, Kashmir is ridiculously good. Bonham is insanely great. The greatest IMO. (Not until just now did I realize it was 8:37 long. Fucking masterpiece.) Stairway to Heaven is 8:03. And people complained about Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody being 6 minutes long??
Stairway to Heaven is, of course, a favorite, for so many reasons. The lyrics, Page’s solo, Bonzo killing it, as always, Plant’s vocals. Black Dog is another favorite.
Bonham on drums and Page on his guitar shine in Black Dog. One of my favorites. I’m not sure any band ever had what Led Zeppelin had. In sync, times infinity. Truly.
What gets me the most about them is the synergy. They were meant to be together and create the music they did. Yet, the fact that that Plant, Page, and Jones chose to disband after John Bonham’s tragic death is what makes this band, and the people that make up the band so special. They could’ve replaced Bonham (with no one a fraction as talented) to keep things rolling. Yet when Bonham passed they knew the sound could never be replicated, but more importantly, John Bonham was irreplaceable. They disbanded. Bravo.
Why do other bands find it so easy to replace a pivotal member? Queen, the band QUEEN, ended after Freddie Mercury left us. They still tour as “Queen” plus Adam Lambert - and nothing against Lambert, he has always been gracious and completely respectful of Freddie, saying he is not singing as or replacing Freddie, but more as a tribute to him in his own way. Not sure what the rest are doing except cashing in on the supreme showman and ultimate vocalist. As for other bands who’s stars didn’t pass but simply left, for whatever reason, i.e. Journey - again, Journey ended when Steve Perry left. There is no Journey without Steve Perry (even though they tried to get someone who sounded like him - cheap) just as there is no Queen without Freddie Mercury.
Loyalty. Integrity. Respect.
Good Times Bad Times, though not one of my top 5 LZ songs, it crazily shows the connection and power of Page and Bonham. They are both insane on that track.
But, the ultimate Bonzo song is Whole Lotta Love. Just listen. Just listen. Oh Em Gee. Page too, of course.
Watch how Jason Bonham (John Bonham’s son) is received by the remaining three, when Jason, along with Heart’s incomparable Ann Wilson, and sister Nancy, and Shane Fontayne bravely performing Page’s solo quite well. Click the link below to watch. That choir really shook Plant. (I get a kick out of Regina, David Letterman’s wife keeping an eye on how they’re reacting. I love Dave, and therefore, his wife must be amazing.)
LED ZEPPELIN at KENNEDY CENTER HONORS - Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Jason Bonham, Shane Fontayne, et al.
For whatever reason (need there be one?) my favorite Led Zeppelin song is Immigrant’s Song. It’s raw, I love to lyrics (couldn’t be more true today than they were 500 years ago.) It’s in your face for 2 minutes, plus a some. The whole band going full speed. If anyone ever doubts Plant’s vocals - just give these lyrics a try at the same octaves. See?? He gets a lot of focus because he’s (he is/he was) the lead vocal and he talked a lot more than everyone else but he has the pipes to back it all up.
Thank the goddess for those 12 years of music they made. All of it. Goddamn, Shangri-La.