LED ZEPPELIN - KNEBWORTH AUGUST 11TH 1979

So, after the Lazarus like comeback, Led Zeppelin rising phoenix like from their troubles and tragedies, came the second week at Knebworth. The hysteria and resurgence surrounding their return was sufficient to add a second show to satisfy the incredible demand. The legend had proved irresistible, and at a time when heavy rock/metal was back in vogue, the young and curious came too, swelling the already huge fanbase. 

During the week the fallout had been remarkable. Led Zeppelin were once again in the spotlight. The crowd, the length of set, kashmir, the lazer pyramid, you'll never walk alone, the new album. Will they tour? Where IS the elpee? The press reaction was predictable and depressing. Ghosts of Progressive Rock Past by sneering pseudo journalist Paul Morley was typical of the negative column inches, even if he did throw in a few back handed complements. The fact their beloved Punk revolution had stalled and Led Zeppelin were alive and well seemed to irk all the more.

For the second show a smaller but still huge crowd gathered despite more inclement weather for what would sadly turn out to be the final time Led Zeppelin performed in England, Fairport Convention had played their (first) farewell gig the previous saturday, so the supporting cast was rearranged to start with Chas n Dave and add the New Barbarians as special guests. 

They hit the stage some 45 minutes later than August 4th, largely due to the New Barbarians faffing and preening about (or waiting for Keef to shake himself out of the arms or orpheus if rumours are to be believed) and the sight and sound of Led Zeppelin crunching down on an adrenalin and energy filled The Song Remains The Same was still exciting enough to illicit delerium and joy. 

After dovetailing into Celebration Day Robert launched into the first of many snipes at the press, understandably so, and Led Zeppelin performed Black Dog as if they were aiming it at a line up of journalists waiting for a firing squad. Powerful doesn't begin to cover it. The next numbers continue is suitably muscular vein, despite both PA and broken string problems, before we get a subtle, reflective (almost sullen) Since I've Been Loving You to remember. No Quarter follows the mood with a shorter but no less expansive performance, the Jones-Bonham connection very much alive, well and wonderfully bouyant. 

Ten Years Gone is sadly missing, but after the throwaway break time of Hot Dog we're treated to an hour or more of Led Zeppelin at their most majestic and powerful. Soul stirring stuff, from a beautiful and delicate The Rain Song, through the 'pride of Led Zeppelin' (as Robert would have it) strident widescreen brushstrokes of Kashmir, where Bonzo shines with some incredible fills and tension filled syncopation, to a tight but loose Trampled Underfoot and a still angry and muscular Sick Again.

Achilles' Last Stand is the pinnacle of the energy and power, as intense as any of the '79 shows, making it hard to believe Led Zeppelin are only 3 instruments and 1 voice. The bow solo and In The Evening are perfect for Knebworth. 

Visually spectacular even if Jimmy has some tuning issues and the band seem a bit lost towards the coda. Stairway To Heaven is almost hymn like, the expected climax to the show. Encore time is a real energetic celebration, from a rollicking Rock And Roll to a tight muscular Whole Lotta love that even includes the nostalgic Boogie Chillun as Led Zeppelin loosen up and shake. 

Finally, without leaving the stage, Jimmy commands his band into a short, sharp, punchy Communication Breakdown. Pursued further on the Over Europe '80 tour, the last moments of Led Zeppelin on a British stage are the perfect mix of nostalgia, energy and succinct power. 

The whole Knebworth experience has been dissected over the years time and time again. Sure, some of the performances are low key, disjointed and erratic. But this is Rock 'n' Roll. Led Zeppelin always walked the tightrope, danced on the edge. It was a brilliant time, emotional and wonderous. They came back, we saw, and they indeed conquered. 

The memories of those moments will last forever. I've always been a big fan of bootlegs, they show it bare bones and all. A show like Tempe '77 or Greensboro '75 is a hard listen when the band are struggling, but Knebworth is much more than the bare bones of a tape or video. A communion with the english folk. 

Like the first week, bootlegs sprung out pretty quickly. Less than the August 4th show, there were still a few elpees, notably a fantastic quality (better than all the versions from the first week) double elpee Japanese set on Zap that captured both the atmosphere and the superb PA sound.

Also remember a 3 track 7" EP that included Achilles' Last Stand, plus Rock And Roll and Hot Dog. 

Loads of CD's too, The Final Cut putting together some fine audience and soundboard sources to reconstruct the show. Love the Luis Rey inspired 'Dinosaurs In The Park' too. 

On film, we had the MTV broadcast of Kashmir from December 1990, and then in spring 1994 the whole show appeared on fair (going into black and white) VHS  bootleg of the complete show. As usual overpriced due to its' rarity by a couple of 'fans' out to make a fortune, it's now out and about on DVD. Filmed for possible release, like the first week, it's a great visual spectacle and a wonderful souvenir of the last time Led Zeppelin stomped on cuban heels in Albion.