#06: BECOMING LED ZEPPELIN

 

STARRING: Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham and Robert Plant. Written and directed by Bernard MacMahon. Running time 121 minutes.

Following the lives of Page, Jones, Bonham and Plant during the early 1960s until their meeting in 1968 and the birth of LED ZEPPELIN! Told exclusively by the four members of the band, with Bonham represented by a previously unheard audio interview. The film features full length performances and never-before-seen footage from UK and US shows and includes unseen material from the band's archives. 

Like any autobiography, this follows each member of the band's life from childhood until their coming together in 1968 and then just 18 months later when they're hailed as the world's No 1 band. What a fantastic spectacle, Page, Plant and Jones each take turns to talk through their experiences interspersed with uncut footage of their performances, behind-the-scenes and vintage footage which all helps to create a truly immersive experience.

The main thing you take away from this is not only just how driven the four young men were, or how committed and dedicated to their craft, but that in just 18 months those four young men come together, practice for a month, play one gig as the Yardbirds then re-name themselves Led Zeppelin and become the biggest band in the world. When they finally come together it isn't four friends at art school saying one drunken night, 'hey, let's put together a band', it's four professional musicians each with their own visions and reputations who want to perform and make music together. And what a reputation, Page and Jones were both very successful session musicians, while Bonham and Plant, who were both friends, were already established in their own fields. They'd each spent their lives practising, and honing their skills and the bands they each played with on their journey are astonishing. Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones both performed on Shirley Bassey's Goldfinger, and the names of bands and singers they were worked was simply astonishing.

However, if you want a warts and all expose then you'll be disappointed, there isn't any, the four members of the band, who are all interviewed separately (although in the same location) talk with nothing but fondness for each other, and the best is left to John Bonham's final comments where he explains that he loved them all. It just seems that these four men were just friends and played together because they enjoyed it. I am happy to accept this as gospel.  

I was captivated and sat centre four rows from the front and just lost myself in the music. If you're a fan of Led Zeppelin this is the film for you, and even if you're not I'd still say give this a go! It's always fascinating to watch truly creative people working and creating something unique and extraordinary. Plus the music is EXHILARATING!! 

Have to stop now, it's just superlatives. 

9/10