Day 103: 6/7/1972 Montreal, Quebec

6/7/1972 Montreal, Quebec  (master>cassette>cdr)

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love, Rock and Roll, Thank You

There is a slight dropout during the first verse of Immigrant Song. Page shreds through the excellent solos during Heartbreaker. After Black Dog, there is an argument between the taper and his friends over who gets to hold the binoculars with one friend saying "when Whole Lotta Love plays, I wanna see 'em, because I wanna see how he makes that sound!" Page is on fire during an incredibly dramatic and powerful Since I've Been Loving You. Plant's introduction of Stairway to Heaven receives a loud cheer from the crowd. Page plays a bit of Black Country Woman before a beautiful That's the Way, to which Plant responds by joking "that's the next album." The acoustic set closes with a great high-energy Bron-Y-Aur Stomp. 

Plant announces "we're nearly four years old now... this was in the first fifteen minutes" before Dazed and Confused. Page solos wildly during the constantly developing lead-in to the bow solo. The guitar solo/workout section is an epic journey. Page is on fire, improvising freely with Bonzo and Jones locked in close behind, even including early hints of Walter's Walk. There is a slight dropout during the final verse. The Everybody Needs Somebody to Love section during Whole Lotta Love features some great soloing from Page. The riotous medley includes Boogie Chillen' and Hello Mary Lou before a source change. The remainder includes Running Bear, Money Honey, Elvis Presley's A Mess of Blues, and another excellent extended Goin' Down Slow, including an amazing slow blues When the Levee Breaks finale. 

Rock and Roll is a high-speed explosion of energy. The recording ends during the final verse of an epic Thank You, which includes a fantastic high-flying guitar solo from Page. A truly amazing performance from beginning to end. The 1972 North American Tour has begun.

The tape is fairly clear, if a bit distant and bass-heavy. Highly enjoyable. Unfortunately, the remainder of the show after the source change during the Whole Lotta Love medley is plagued by constant volume fluctuations.

Day 102: 5/28/1972 Brussels, Belgium

5/28/1972 Brussels, Belgium  (?)

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Whole Lotta Love

The tape begins with a brief soundcheck before Immigrant Song. Black Dog is introduced as "le chien noir." Page and Bonzo play a Knees Up Mother Brown interlude that Plant jokes is "one off the sixth album" before Since I've Been Loving You. A very mellow rendition, the band plays with great restraint. Page is all over the place during the guitar solo in Stairway to Heaven. Plant once again opts for the lower melody during the final section, careful not to push his voice too hard. He struggles to make the crowd calm down and cooperate before Going to California, even halting the song a few bars in to make one final attempt. There are some tape garble issues in the middle of the song. Before a beautiful That's the Way, Plant slowly tells the crowd "you really are an uncontrollable bunch," being sure to annunciate every syllable. 

Dazed and Confused is introduced as "one of the things that came out in the fourth night of studies" during a story about the making of the first album. The intro is extended by a few bars before Plant enters. The initial verses are slow and loose. There are some brief tape garble issues during the bow solo, which Page aborts early. Plant lets loose a few ear-splitting squeals at the beginning of the guitar solo/workout section. The theramin freakout during Whole Lotta Love includes a bit of Rosco Gordon's Just a Little Bit from Plant. The Everybody Needs Somebody to Love section is an explosion of raw power. The medley includes a riotous Boogie Chillen' with some excellent soloing from Page, Hello Mary Lou, Running Bear, Lawdy Miss Clawdy, Heartbreak Hotel, Don't Be Cruel featuring a raucous guitar solo, and a fantastic Goin' Down Slow. The recording ends during the final drum roll.

The tape is distant, but clear with a fair amount of hiss.

Day 101: 5/27/1972 Amsterdam, Holland

5/27/1972 Amsterdam, Holland  (master>cassette>cassette)

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Celebration Day, Stairway to Heaven, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp*, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love, Rock and Roll, Communication Breakdown

*- (master>dat>cdr)

Plant tells the crowd "it's very nice to be back" before Immigrant Song. Page drops out briefly during the initial verses. Plant pushes his voice to its breaking point during Heartbreaker. Page's solos are particularly inspired. Plant's introduction of Black Dog is met with a loud cheer from the crowd. An excellent dynamic Since I've Been Loving You is introduced as "a song of love." The band gets a bit confused trying to enter the first chorus of a frantic Celebration Day. Plant mistakenly begins the third verse as Page jumps into the first guitar solo.

The guitar solo during Stairway to Heaven is a dramatic interplay between Page's guitar and Jones's piano. Unfortunately, a cut in the tape brings the moment to a premature end. The very beginning of a raucous Bron-Y-Aur Stomp is missing from the tape. Plant improvises new lyrics during the initial verses of Dazed and Confused. Page solos wildly during an excellent, high-energy jam prior to the bow solo. He's on fire during a dynamic guitar solo/workout section, even including a bit of I Wish You Would. Plant exclaims "hallelujah, glory hallelujah!" just before the guitar solo during What is and What Should Never Be. There are a few brief tape disturbances near the end of the song. There is a cut in the middle of Moby Dick.

The medley during Whole Lotta Love includes Boogie Chillen', Hello Mary Lou, an excellent rendition of Running Bear, That's All Right, Hoochie Coochie Man, and Goin' Down Slow, which takes a minute to get underway due to the enthusiastic crowd's incessant rhythmic clapping. The end of a riotous Rock and Roll is met with loud chants of "we want more!" from the crowd. Their wishes are granted as the band returns to the stage to close the show with a high-energy Communication Breakdown. An excellent performance, must hear.

The tape is fairly clear, if a bit overloaded, with Page and Plant overshadowing Bonzo and Jones.

Black and white film featuring a short fragment of Immigrant Song is available on Hercules's Film Noir Vol. 1 as well as Celebration's Early Visions. The footage is bright and clear, shot from directly in front of the stage. It's unfortunate there isn't more.

Click here for a video sample courtesy of Black Beauty.

Day 100: 2/29/1972 Brisbane, Australia

2/29/1972 Brisbane, Australia Brisbane Boogie

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Celebration Day, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love

The tape begins with an announcement from Plant warning the crowd to stay off the stage. Page plays some nice licks during the lead-in to the a cappella solo in Heartbreaker. Before Black Dog, Plant explains to the crowd that the song is about a black labrador, not "the kind of chick that we dig." Plant mixes up the lyrics again during Going to California. That's the Way is halted by Plant as he attempts to calm the rowdy crowd. He gives up completely before Dazed and Confused, telling the crowd "I don't care whether you sit down or stand up, we're just gonna play." Page is in his own world during another epic performance. The medley during Whole Lotta Love includes John Lee Hooker's Bottle Up and Go, The Wanderer, Hello Mary Lou, Elvis Presley's Let's Have a Party, and another excellent Goin' Down Slow, which includes an amazing extended blues improvisation from Page.

The tape is quite muffled throughout.

Click here for an audio sample courtesy of Black Beauty.

Day 99: 2/27/1972 Sydney, Australia

2/27/1972 Sydney, Australia The Rover's Return

Black Dog, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Moby Dick, Rock and Roll, Whole Lotta Love, Communication Breakdown, Thank You

The tape begins with an announcement from Plant asking the crowd to stay behind the barrier and warning that if the rain persists, they'll have to stop the show. Black Dog is introduced as "one about a nineteen year old black labrador." Page shreds through the guitar solo, repeating licks to mesmerizing effect. The taper can be heard timing his tape flips as the song ends. The tape is cut between songs. The taper's friend can be heard shouting "switch it off, you're wasting it!" after Stairway to Heaven. Plant forgets the lyrics a few times during Going to California. He asks "all the policemen on the roof to join in" before Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, which is cut during the instrumental section.

Bonzo wails on his gong at the beginning of Dazed and Confused. Page's fingers fly across the fretboard during the frenzied lead-in to the bow solo. The taper comments "look at this... a violin bow on the guitar." Page solos frantically throughout the guitar solo/workout section as well as the outro. Moby Dick is dynamic and incredibly powerful. The medley during Whole Lotta Love includes Hello Mary Lou, the first appearance of The Rover in an excellent instrumental arrangement, Elvis Presley's Let's Have a Party, Lawdy Miss Clawdy, and Goin' Down Slow. After Thank You, Plant announces "goodbye... time for dinner" as the band leaves the stage.

The tape is clear and balanced, a bit muffled at times.

Click here for an audio sample courtesy of Black Beauty.

About seven minutes of black and white footage of the show exists. The film is a two camera mix, one on the ground close to the side of the stage and another in one of the upper levels of the stands. The film, which includes fragments of Rock and Roll, Whole Lotta Love, and Let's Have a Party, is very clear and highly enjoyable.

Day 98: 2/25/1972 Auckland, New Zealand

2/25/1972 Auckland, New Zealand (?)

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, Whole Lotta Love, Communication Breakdown

The tape begins at the end of Immigrant Song. Page's fingers get a bit sticky during the solos in Heartbreaker. Plant thanks the crowd for "makin' this the biggest thing that's ever happened in New Zealand" before Since I've Been Loving You. Page's fingers get stuck in the strings during the guitar solo in Stairway to Heaven. A goofy giggle coming from someone near the taper can be heard between and sometimes during songs. Plant announces "we'd now like to bring on our vocalist... John Henry Bonham" before Bron-Y-Aur Stomp. He's in a good mood, joking and laughing with the crowd between songs.

The initial verses of Dazed and Confused are very loose. Page improvises freely during the excellent lead-in to the bow solo, even including the first reference to The Song Remains the Same. Unfortunately, the tape is cut at the end of the bow solo. Page gets the band into a jam on a funky riff prior to the theramin freakout during Whole Lotta Love. The Everybody Needs Somebody to Love riff is extended into a heavy jam before the guitar solo. The medley includes an extended Boogie Chillen', an excellent Hello Mary Lou, and a riotous rendition of Elvis Presley's Let's Have a Party. The medley ends with an amazing Goin' Down Slow, the best yet. Someone near the taper howls with excitement at the beginning of a high-energy Communication Breakdown. The usual funky breakdown is dropped in favor of a lightning-fast extended guitar solo. A great performance.

The tape is excellent. Clear and well-balanced with a great sense of atmosphere.

Day 97: 2/20/1972 Melbourne, Australia

2/20/1972 Melbourne, Australia Melbourne Masters

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, Rock and Roll, Whole Lotta Love

The tape begins just as Immigrant Song is getting underway. There is a slight cut at the beginning of the a cappella solo in Heartbreaker. Page shreds through the guitar solo. The tape is cut between songs. Since I've Been Loving You is dramatic and powerful. Plant tries for the high notes at the end of Stairway to Heaven, but falls short. Before That's the Way, Plant tells the crowd "if you're gonna listen, listen... if you're gonna make a racket, go away." The source changes to a slightly inferior recording before Tangerine. Bron-Y-Aur Stomp is dedicated to Plant's dog Stryder for the first time.

Dazed and Confused is introduced as "one from a long, long time ago for everybody who's as cool as I am" by Plant. Page solos wildly over a Santana-esque rhythm during the lead-in to the bow solo. The guitar solo/workout section is an epic journey. Plant improvises lyrics about the impending rain storm during the final verse. A cut in the tape during the finale leads directly into the intro of a riotous Rock and Roll. The show ends with a lightning-fast Whole Lotta Love. The shortest medley thus far includes Boogie Chillen' and Elvis Presley's Let's Have a Party, during which the tape switches to a greatly inferior source. Plant tells the crowd it's time to go before they all blow up "because electricity and water just don't get together at all" as the band leaves the stage.

The tape is a combination of three sources, primarily clear and well-balanced. Highly enjoyable.

Day 96: 2/19/1972 Adelaide, Australia

2/19/1972 Adelaide, Australia (master>dat)

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love

The first recording from Led Zeppelin's first and only tour of Greater Australia. Someone near the taper comments "shit... too much" as the band does a brief soundcheck before launching the sonic attack of Immigrant Song. Plant melodically inquires "what's that smell?" as Page begins the guitar solo. Someone near the taper exclaims "oh, my ears, man!" during a pause before Heartbreaker. Page plays some Train Kept a Rollin'-esque chords during the lead-in to the a cappella solo. He blazes through the solos. Bonzo attacks his drums with relentless ferocity.

Plant mentions that half of the band has caught "an Australian bug" before Black Dog. Page is in top form during a powerful Since I've Been Loving You. An excellent performance. Plant tells some noisy people in the crowd to "shut up a bit" before Stairway to Heaven. He holds back during the verse following the guitar solo, opting for a lower melody than the usual high-flying vocal dynamics. The tape is cut during the first chorus of Tangerine, following an excellent That's the Way. Bonzo's harmony can be heard clearly during Bron-Y-Aur Stomp.

Plant announces "and with any luck, we might get this clever man in the front with the silver shirt to shut up" prior to Dazed and Confused. Adding "he's the kind of guy who goes home at night and jerks off... and he loves it, he loves it!" Page has some trouble with his equipment during the bow solo, which results in a loud crackling noise at times. He hints at Gallows Pole briefly during the incredible guitar solo/workout section. His soloing is wild and dynamic. An amazing performance. There are several shouts of "sit down!" from the crowd as Plant introduces Moby Dick, which is cut a few minutes in. The theramin freakout during Whole Lotta Love is preceded by an excellent jam on a funky riff. The medley includes a fantastic Boogie Chillen', Hello Mary Lou, Elvis Presley's Let's Have a Party, That's All Right, and an excellent Goin' Down Slow, which is unfortunately cut off by the end of the recording. A powerful performance. Welcome to 1972.

The tape is an excellent audience recording, perfectly clear and well-balanced.

Day 95: 12/2/1971 Bournemouth, England

12/2/1971 Bournemouth, England  Heartbreat

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Rock and Roll, Whole Lotta Love*

The tape begins with Immigrant Song already in progress. Page shreds through the solos during Heartbreaker. Plant's voice is strong during Black Dog. Dazed and Confused is cut during the bow solo. Several shouted requests for Rock and Roll are granted after What is and What Should Never Be. The band stops playing at the end of the guitar solo, leaving Plant to sing the first two lines of the final verse a cappella before the band crashes back into action. Whole Lotta Love is preceded by an excellent jam on a heavy riff. The medley includes John Lee Hooker favorites Bottle Up and Go and Boogie Chillen', a great rendition of Heartbeat, Hello Mary Lou, Lawdy Miss Clawdy, and the first appearance of I Can't Quit You Baby since 3/25/1970 in an excellent new arrangement. Unfortunately, the recording ends during the extended blues jam.*

The tape is muffled and a bit distant with a fair amount of hiss.

*- a complete recording of this show has surfaced on Electric Magic's Rock and Roll Magic, but is not currently in our collection.

Day 94: 11/25/1971 Leicester, England

11/25/1971 Leicester, England  (master>dat>cdr)

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Celebration Day, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, Stairway to Heaven, What is and What Should Never Be, Whole Lotta Love, Rock and Roll, Communication Breakdown

The first two songs seem a bit subdued. Plant is holding back, his voice lower than usual. Black Dog is plodding and heavy. Plant sounds tired and sick while introducing Since I've Been Loving You. His syrupy voice enhances the bluesy atmosphere. Page plays with laid-back intensity, perfectly accented by Bonzo's drunken finesse. Celebration Day includes an excellent funky rhythm workout during the guitar solo. Page flubs a note at the beginning of Tangerine, causing him to stop and restart the song. Plant's flu adds to the mournful tone, a beautiful performance.

The lead-in to the bow solo during Dazed and Confused features an excellent heavy jam. The guitar solo/workout section once again features an excellent Theme from Shaft. The song continues to develop nightly, the true centerpiece of the show. Amazing. The medley during Whole Lotta Love includes Otis Rush's So Many Roads, an extended blues jam, an excellent heavy rendition of Goin' Down Slow, Boogie Chillen', Hello Mary Lou, Rave On!, and a slow mournful rendition of Elvis Presley's A Mess of Blues. Several shouted requests from the crowd are granted as the band closes the show with Communication Breakdown. The crowd is left chanting for more. A great performance despite a slow start and Plant's fatigue.

The tape is clear and well-balanced. Sounds as if it was recorded from near the bar, clinking glasses can be heard during the quiet moments.

Day 93: 11/24/1971 Manchester, England

11/24/1971 Manchester, England  Rave On

Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Celebration Day, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Rock and Roll, Whole Lotta Love, Thank You

The tape begins with an apology from Plant for a delay due to icy roads. Plant is in top form, his voice soars over the crowd in a sea of echo during Black Dog. Bonzo pounds through Since I've Been Loving You with incredible force. Plant unleashes some truly blood-curdling wails toward the end of the song. Page plays a bit of Black Country Woman before Going to California. The tape is cut toward the end of That's the Way, leaving us at the beginning of Tangerine.

The guitar solo/workout section during Dazed and Confused is amazing. After blazing through the solo, Page gets the band into a funky jam. The Crunge turns into an excellent jam on Theme from Shaft. There is a slight cut during the explosive return to the main riff. Page solos wildly during the outro, punctuated by Plant's echo-drenched grunts and moans. Plant's voice is incredibly powerful during Rock and Roll. The theramin freakout during Whole Lotta Love features a great heavy jam. The medley begins with a funky improvisation before Boogie Chillen' and a riotous rendition of Rave On!. A cut at the beginning of Hello Mary Lou leaves us at the return to the main riff. The recording ends with the first two minutes of Thank You.

The tape is quite muffled and distorted.

Click here for an audio sample courtesy of Black Beauty.

Day 92: 11/20/1971 London, England

11/20/1971 London, England  Magick

Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Since I've Been Loving You, Rock and Roll, Stairway to Heaven, Going to California, That's the Way, Tangerine^, Dazed and Confused, What is and What Should Never Be, Celebration Day, Moby Dick^, Whole Lotta Love

^- unknown gen source

The tape of the famous 'Electric Magic' show begins with the first notes of Heartbreaker.* Plant's screeching wails during Black Dog are spine-chilling. A dramatic Since I've Been Loving You is introduced as "one from way back when." Plant's powerful voice soars over the band. Page shreds through an excellent solo during Stairway to Heaven. There are some major tape issues in the middle of an otherwise beautiful Going to California. Plant changes the melody at times throughout.

There is a slight bit of tape garble during the initial verses of Dazed and Confused. The guitar solo/workout section is an epic journey. There are more slight tape issues just before the return to the main riff. The tape is cut during the final verse, leaving us in the outro. Celebration Day includes a great new intro from Page. Whole Lotta Love begins with a stop-start intro and Plant declaring "you're gonna get loved!" The raucous medley includes Hello Mary Lou and Elvis Presley's A Mess of Blues before the tape cuts off.*

The tape is muffled and muddy with a fair amount of hiss, augmented by an inferior recording.

Click here for audio samples courtesy of Black Beauty.

*- a more complete tape exists which includes Immigrant Song and the rest of Whole Lotta Love, albiet in inferior quality. This tape is not currently in our collection.

Month Four: April 2008

Here's the schedule for April for anyone following along.

Let's Rock.

Tuesday 4/1
1971.11.20 London, U.K.

Wednesday 4/2
1971.11.24 Manchester, U.K.

Thursday 4/3
1971.11.25 Leicester, U.K.

Friday 4/4
1971.12.02 Bournemouth, U.K.

Saturday 4/5
1972.02.19 Adelaide, Australia

Sunday 4/6
1972.02.20 Melbourne, Australia

Monday 4/7
1972.02.25 Auckland, New Zealand

Tuesday 4/8
1972.02.27 Sydney, Australia

Wednesday 4/9
1972.02.29 Brisbane, Australia

Thursday 4/10
1972.05.27 Amsterdam, Holland

Friday 4/11
1972.05.28 Brussels, Belgium

Saturday 4/12
1972.06.07 Montreal, Quebec

Sunday 4/13
1972.06.09 Charlotte, North Carolina

Monday 4/14
1972.06.11 Baltimore, Maryland

Tuesday 4/15
1972.06.13 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wednesday 4/16
1972.06.14 Uniondale, New York

Thursday 4/17
1972.06.15 Uniondale, New York

Friday 4/18
1972.06.17 Portland, Oregon
1972.06.18 Seattle, Washington

Saturday 4/19
1972.06.19 Seattle, Washington

Sunday 4/20
1972.06.22 San Bernardino, California

Monday 4/21
1972.06.25 Inglewood, California

Tuesday 4/22
1972.06.27 Long Beach, California

Wednesday 4/23
1972.06.28 Tucson, Arizona

Thursday 4/24
1972.10.02 Tokyo, Japan

Friday 4/25
1972.10.03 Tokyo, Japan

Saturday 4/26
1972.10.04 Osaka, Japan

Sunday 4/27
1972.10.05 Nagoya, Japan

Monday 4/28
1972.10.09 Osaka, Japan

Tuesday 4/29
1972.10.10 Kyoto, Japan

Wednesday 4/30
1972.11.30 Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, U.K.