Zeppelin in 1969 vs. 1977

["Tim Druck" <drucktim5538@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I want to add my voice to this - from 1969 to 1975, there is absolutely
no question that Led Zeppelin was the most powerful, most intense
musical experience on the whole damn mudball.  Jimmy was absolutely
*furious* every night, ripping into scorching solos with little to no
excuse.  John Paul Jones and Bonzo were in a groove - Bonzo playing hard
and heavy, with a bass sound that caused Jimi Hendrix to remark that he
had a "right foot like a rabbit."  Jonesy, well...  words don't really
describe the groundbreaking work he was turning in every night.  Even
Robert was bringing it with soul, power and blue-eyed funk.  The band
was explosive, fun and not weighed down with complex arrangements or
even setlists it seems some nights.  In 1969 Zeppelin was blowing
LEGENDARY bands off the stage - ask Jefferson Airplane about one night
in Boston in January...
        I've seen hundreds of bands live.  Unfortunately not Zeppelin,
as I was 4 years old when Bonzo died.  I've seen Clapton, BB, Buddy Guy,
the Fab T-Birds (I never got to see Stevie before he died on my 14th
birthday), and every other notable bluesman or blues band that I've ever
crossed paths with.  And from a purely objective standpoint, as a critic
and not a fan, I can honestly say that from 1969-1973, Led Zeppelin was
the greatest *BLUES* band ever assembled, to this very day.  Not one
single band can match the elements they brought to the stage - other
bands have power, but not the virtuoso musicians, or vice versa.  Some
of the bands lack chemistry - Clapton, notably - his band seemed
(justifiably - he was frickin' awesome) in awe of him.  
        Anyway, I take issue with the idea that Zeppelin got better with
age - Zeppelin was still a great band in 1977, but compared to
themselves in 1969, *any* band would have been a shadow of what had
been.  There's just no measuring up - just like the solo careers -
there's no way they could ever eclipse Zeppelin, no matter what they
did.  The 1969 band would have unceremoniously blown the 1977 band off
the stage, with no remorse whatsoever.

TimD

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-zeppelin@xxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-zeppelin@xxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Richard Mackey
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 6:27 PM
To: steve.thomson@xxxxxx
Cc: zeppelin@xxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: The Queen meeting Jimmy and not Robert oh my!

I know we all have different opinions on a piece of music, but I'm
very surprised that you don't like the early live stuff.  I haven't
heard a bad performance from 1969 and the top performances (San
Francisco in April, 31/8/1969) are devastatingly good.  As Long as I
Have You played for 25 minutes is something every Zep fan needs to
hear.  I rather like Robert's subhuman howling too...

Richard