Todd's Reviews

The Zeppelin Reunion
by Todd McFliker

      One word: Zeppelin. The mighty Zeppelin shook the world on Monday, December 10th when the three living legends reunited. The tremendous event was a benefit concert for Atlantic records’ late Ahmet Ertegun, who passed away last year, with proceeds going towards education. Dale Koppel, 64, and her traveling mate, 67-year-old Peter Benke of Manchester, Massachusetts ventured to the once in a lifetime affair in Canary Wharf, not far from Downtown London. Thousands of dollars later, the two poignant hour’s worth of Zeppelin onstage was well worth the trip.

      At 1985’s Live Aid Philadelphia, the reformed Zeppelin with Phil Collins played three numbers in 17 minutes. Everything from the equipment to Plant’s scratchy voice was a mess. That’s why the band refused to let their set be seen on the Live Aid DVD. Three years later, Zeppelin teamed up in New York for Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary Concert. After arguing about the set-list with Page, Plant forgot the lyrics to both “Stairway” and “Kashmir” while onstage. 1995’s Rock ‘N’ Roll hall of fame performance in the Big Apple went along much smoother. Jason Bonham supplied the thundering, while Neil Young joined the entourage for “Bring It On Home.”

      Over a decade later, Dale and Peter decided that we were going to see Zeppelin at any cost. Neither had ever witnessed the hammer of the gods in the flesh. This was the time. The time was now. They were afraid they wouldn’t get seats with the lottery. Immediately, the pair found a ticket office and dished out roughly $1,000 each. Then there were airplane and hotel expenses. Then when Zeppelin rescheduled from November 26th, they got penalized. The airfare jumped to about $300 a person to almost $750. But it was money well spent.
“There are crazy fans that paid $4,000 to $8,000 for a ticket,” said Dale. “We had a friend that had a VIP backstage pass for $30,000. He had saved this money to buy a car and decided that it would be better to go see Zeppelin than buy a car.” There’s a list of opening bands that warmed up the 02 stage, including Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman and Paul Rogers of Bad Company and Foreigner. Dale and Peter used the time to explore the arena. The O2 is a highly unique venue, shaped like a giant bubble. It’s comparable to the Hard Rock complex in Hollywood, but even more massive.

      The phenomenal day in December entailed a mob scene in the arena. It was wall to wall people, but there was no shoving. Everyone was just in a very mellow frame of mind, even when Peter stood in line for an hour to get a t-shirt. I’m still checking e-Bay on a daily basis. Bootleg CDs are starting at $100, and just the concert’s posters are starting at over $200 a pop. The lucky ticket-holders, including Mick Jagger and Priscilla Presley, were simply glowing from being part of the historical event. It was a very mixed crowd of folks the artists’ age, as well as their grandkids. Dale and Peter made plenty of friends in line, many of which were from the States. And according to the announcement that Robert Plant made at the beginning of their set, there were concert-goers there from 50 different countries.

      Zeppelin delivered sixteen pounding numbers in two hours. At about 9 o’clock, the four men appeared with “Good, Times, Bad Times” and everyone went wild. Page’s white hair was tied back over a white sweater with black slacks. Both Plant and Bassist John Paul Jones were both decked out in solid black. Under an enormous video screen, they recreated “Ramble On,” a selection never done live by the original quartet. The 1969 single discusses a man’s rounding the world to find the right girl, as it emphasizes Jimmy Page’s influences from Arabic/North African music. There was tight interaction between Mr. JPJ on the bass and the magical touches of Jason Bonham’s drums. In fact, the young percussionist created “Ramble On” as part of his 1997 album, In the Name of My Father - The Zepset.
Zeppelin sang the blues with “Since I’ve Been Loving You” and “Black Dog.” Other timeless gems heard include “Stairway to Heaven,” “Misty Mountain Hop,” the bass-heavy “No Quarter” and the epic single, “Kashmir.” “There are certain things we had to do,” said 59-year-old Plant. “This is one of them,” and Bonzo’s son began the pounding of “Dazed and Confused.” Page even stroked his Les Paul with a violin bow. He tickled the neck’s chords with speed and precision, swaying his stick as if he were playing the somber classic on a cello.

      The first encore entailed the authentically risqué “Whole Lotta Love.” Jones created a psychedelic twist as drumsticks crashed on cymbals like only a Bonham could produce. Jason then came out into the front of the group. His gratitude was astonishing as he dropped to his knees and bowed as if claiming “I’m not worthy.’ Zeppelin delivered a second encore of the fitting anthem, “Rock ‘N’ Rock.” It had been a long time.

      Dale explained that they didn’t chat much with the audience. “Zeppelin was very serious about what they were there to do. I had the feeling that they not only satisfied us, but they satisfied themselves. I think they felt rewarded by the job that they did,” even at their own heavenly standards. No it wasn’t televised either. Just think of the big bucks that Zeppelin can bring in with a live DVD release in a couple of years.

      “It was the greatest concert I’ve ever been to,” Dale continued. “The idea of it was so phenomenal, it was humbling. From the moment we were packing, the anticipation and excitement is what made it so special. I have no regrets. If I hadn’t made the trip, I’d be kicking myself.”

      Peter agrees, claiming “It’s an experience that keeps on giving. When people find out that you were there, they want to hear every detail about it. You’re the star of the party. It is an ego builder.” Even Peter’s 20-year-old son is jealous.

      There have been rumors that Zeppelin will headline the most massive and profitable global trek in history. In November’s Uncut magazine, Plant said no way. “It was a brilliant time, and we made some brilliant music,” he said to journalist Allan Jones. “But when it was over, it was over. My view now is that the past should look after itself. I go on.”

      But his firm stand must’ve softened up after rehearsing with his old mates. In December’s Rolling Stone, Plant hinted that there may a chance, telling David Fricke that “anything is likely.” But I’m not gonna hold my breath. Unless you think it’ll help?

      What I learned from this experience: writing this paper, I wish I went to see the colossal Zeppelin. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity I’ve waited 25 years for. What a heartbreaker. I could hear the smile in both Dale and Peter’s recollections. I asked if they want Zeppelin to go on a global jaunt, or if they’re content with the recent show in London? Dale expressed that it would be great either way. “But it doesn’t really matter because we were there” at the first and only reunion truly monumental enough to be labeled Zeppelin.