Purpose of this Website

This page is dedicated to the everlasting music created by Led Zeppelin and those passionate fans who continue to absorb themselves in the countless bootleg tapes that have so fortunately graced our lives.

It is my humble attempt on this page to give the reader a detailed look into the live shows that made Led Zeppelin renown as one of the greatest live bands ever to play. My intent with this page is to give the passionate and casual fan of Led Zeppelin an informative look into a particular show. In this way, I hope to be able to assist the serious tape collector in his/her decision to acquire a tape, or give the more casual fan of Led Zeppelin a hopefully entertaining and exciting look into a live concert.

 

A Few Comments About the Reviews

Some of the reviews lack the depth and information that have become a standard in my more recent reviews. When I first started, I had only my car stereo as a musical reference and wrote the reviews from memory. A few months later, I purchased a portable stereo and began to review the concerts at home with headsets. Thusly, the scope and depth of the reviews has developed accordingly. I plan on redoing those reviews that aren't up to the standard I've adopted over the last year.

And finally...reviews are subjective at best, so what I may consider to be a good or bad concert, might not be what you the reader may experience when you listen to the show. I'd like to think that my many years as a Led Zeppelin fan gives me a special "feel" of the performance quality, but my opinion is just that--just my opinion.

 

A Few Comments About Sound Quality

This is a very sensitive issue to many tape traders. Serious tape traders will likely have a more flexible view of sound quality than a casual tape trader who is likely looking for the best sounding shows available. I have discovered that after one year of collecting tapes, my opinion of sound quality has become a lot more liberal than it used to be. When once I described a show as being a six in a 10-scale rating system, I now rate as being an eight. Why? Well, as you begin to collect shows and hear some of the real awful bootleg tapes out there, you have no choice but to adjust the 10-scale accordingly.

I've already been emailed in regards to augmenting the reviews to include a sound rating. I really hesitate to do this because I don't want to sway opinion about the merits of a show itself because the sound may not be all that good. I occasionally make comments about sound quality in some reviews, but I endeavor not to make that the most important issue of the show--as well is shouldn't be.

I also recommend Louis Rey's, Led Zeppelin Live: An Illustrated Exploration of Underground Tapes.  Learn more about this informative book at Hotwacks.

Additionally, I have added a "Show Recommendations" section that I call "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly."  In this section, I give my opinion on a number of shows based both on sound qaulity and performance.  Check it out here.