Can it really be almost forty years ago, November 8th 1971 to be precise, that Led Zeppelin’s monolithic masterpiece, the legendary untitled fourth record was released? Yes indeed. Has there been an album during the whole of that period that more succinctly defines what we now call classic rock? The Who’s ‘Who’s Next’ and The Rolling Stones’ ‘Sticky Fingers’ are also great albums and career high points, and both were also released in 1971, but Led Zeppelin IV has the edge.
Fast forward to May 1975, and Zeppelin’s legendary five night stand at London’s Earl’s court, incredible performances that saw the band at their absolute peak, both artistically and commercially. Three months after the release of their sprawling double album ‘Physical Graffiti’, and the band were back on home soil for the first time in over two years, and more crucially, for the last time for over four years. Each night, the set lasted for three and a half hours, with the exception of the final night, (I WAS THERE!) when the band played a further encore, taking the show to an unprecedented 3:45. From the Earl’s Court residency, here’s their performance of ‘Going To California’, from Zep 4, as rock aficionados called it back then.
