Rockin' to the Top: The Rise of British Legends "Led Zeppelin" in "Becoming Led Zeppelin"
"The Origin of Led Zeppelin": Unraveling the Beginnings
By: Nicole Ankle-breaker
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Led Zeppelin, the iconic British rock band that disbanded over four decades ago, is still a force to be reckoned with in the world of rock. The first-ever official documentary authorized by surviving members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones, "Becoming Led Zeppelin," takes you on a thrilling journey through their origins and the creation of their first two albums, showcasing previously unseen footage and interviews.
Undoubtedly, the band's history is peppered with scandals, from booze and drugs to questionable behavior. But in this documentary, the focus is on the story of their formation and the magic they created.
Directed by Bernard MacMahon and co-written by Alison McGourty, "Becoming Led Zeppelin" starts by delving into the post-war era, offering a closer look at the childhoods of the band members born between 1944 and 1948. These youngsters made a name for themselves as session musicians, with Page and Jones shaking things up in Shirley Bassey's "Goldfinger" orchestra. The hippie in Plant even put his pro-cannabis demonstrations on display.
From Session Stars to Rock Titans
Thanks to a treasure trove of never-before-seen concert footage, private photos, and videos, we get a glimpse of the band members' backgrounds. Their early experiences with combos like Band of Joy and The Yardbirds set the stage for their eventual union in Led Zeppelin in 1968.
Once together, we witness the recording of their debut album, with the Hindenburg blaze serving as the cover art. Recorded in a 36-hour session at London's Olympic Studios and released in 1969, the album received mixed reviews. However, some critics appreciated the groundbreaking sound it represented, a milestone in rock history.
Many of their early performances were unimpressive, with audiences confused or restrained. But when the album was released, their popularity skyrocketed. Led Zeppelin refused to release singles, forcing radio stations to play the entire album instead, a unique strategy that contributed to their rapid success. Their breakthrough in Europe came later, as the album was released there at a slightly delayed pace.
"Becoming Led Zeppelin" stops at the release of their second album, leaving out their commercially successful fourth album, subsequent albums, record-breaking performances, and notorious scandals, such as hotel room destruction rumors and alleged fascination with the supernatural. Controversial aspects of their lyrics and accusations of plagiarism in "Stairway to Heaven" are also not addressed.
However, the first authorized doc offers a rich visual and audio experience, featuring interviews with the legendary band members and the late, great John Bonham, as well as unearthed live footage for the first time. For fans, it's a goldmine of rare material, even if it doesn't break new content ground. All in all, "Becoming Led Zeppelin" is an entertaining, albeit limited, peek behind the scenes of a rock titan.
"Becoming Led Zeppelin" is now playing in German cinemas.
Categories: Rock Music | Music | Cinema | Documentary Film
Fun Fact: The documentary's IMAX version offers an immersive visual experience, making viewers feel like they're part of the action.
[1] "Interviews with Band Members and John Bonham"[2] "Early Tours and Success"[3] "Diverse Musical Backgrounds and Influences"[4] "Rare Footage and Performances"[5] "Archival Materials and Personal Touch"
The following are excluded from the documentary "Becoming Led Zeppelin": zeppelin, dissolution, journalists, likely probing questions about controversial aspects such as hotel room destruction rumors, alleged fascination with the supernatural, plagiarism accusations in "Stairway to Heaven," and in-depth discussions about the band's commercially successful later albums. The documentary, however, does feature various interviews with band members, including the late John Bonham.
