Led Zeppelin Once Again Soar to Rock Heights in Reunion Show

For the vast majority of people who had traveled to the O2 Arena in London from a total of 50 countries, according to vocalist Robert Plant, to see the mighty Led Zeppelin play their first full show in nearly 28 years, the idea of merely being in the same building as the legendary rock group -- Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones and drummer Jason Bonham (taking over on this night for his late father, John Bonham) -- was more than enough. One gentleman told Spinner that he sold his truck and came from Canada just to be here -- and was happy he did. And after a video clip highlighting the rock heroes' 1973 record-breaking stand in Tampa, Florida, a show that broke the Beatles' attendance record at the time, the long-awaited moment arrived as the quartet thundered into the first album's 'Good Times, Bad Times.'

It was evident from the start that Zeppelin was still the powerhouse of old. After following the show starter with very strong versions of 'Ramble On' and 'Black Dog,' the latter of which sent the crowd into a frenzy, the slightly retooled foursome hit hard-rock ecstasy on an extended 'In My Time of Dying.' With every eye in the house riveted on the band, the quartet took the song into a series of explosions, every one more ferocious than the previous.

Following that song, Plant, who was still in rock god form, even throwing in an early toss of the mic stand, addressed the crowd. Referring to the late Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, in whose honor this reunion tribute was held, he said, "A thousand emotions we've been going through these last six weeks. We're finally here for Ahmet and to bring Jason into the fold."

While the group could have just gone through their hits and still have left out half a classic-rock station playlist's worth of songs, they even threw in a live debut. The band brought forth 'For Your Life,' from 'Presence,' a song Plant introduced by saying, "This is our first adventure with this song in public." Plant, who in his role as frontman was quite the chatty raconteur, introduced the next song, 'Trampled Under Foot,' by giving a nod to Robert Johnson's 'Terraplane Blues,' the song that inspired 'Trampled.'

Yet while the band would show off its blues chops on a powerful 'Since I've Been Loving You' and an epic 'Nobody's Fault but Mine,' highlighted by the interplay between Plant and Page, 'Trampled,' which featured several shots of Jones playing keyboards on the big screen, took on a slight dance-music feel that meshed seamlessly with the track's blues roots. Jones again took the spotlight for the opening of 'No Quarter,' before Page, who early in the night had left his shades on while he played, now ripped into stunning guitar work at the front of the massive stage.

The group stayed true to the pacing of its '70s shows, making 'No Quarter' and 'Since I've Been Loving You' central to the set. So, as expected, was 'Dazed and Confused,' of which Plant said, "There are certain songs that have to be there, and this is one." Also having to be there was the defining moment when Page picked up a violin bow to work both his guitar and the audience simultaneously into rapture.

The euphoria continued into 'Stairway to Heaven.' Never mind its classic-rock oversaturation, it's the most enduring rock anthem of all time for a reason, and seeing it done live was just sheer bliss. Plant, who has gone on record as not wanting to play the song, shouted afterward, "Ahmet, we did it!"

Of course, the bliss was far from over, with 'The Song Remains the Same' and 'Misty Mountain Hop' setting the stage for a ridiculous embarrassment of riches that reminded everybody just how monumental Led Zep's legacy truly is. Ending with an epic 'Kashmir,' which Plant called "the 51st country" in reference to all the varied places people had traveled from to attend the show, the foursome was brought back for its first encore to deafening applause, unleashing 'Whole Lotta Love.' When that refused to satiate the crazed beast, the group, visibly moved, smashed out 'Rock and Roll.' After the set, while the other three took their bows, as they had as a quartet following 'Kashmir' and then 'Whole Lotta Love,' Bonham playfully got down on knees and bowed before the trio. But he was quickly stood up and embraced into the fold.

If they will take this re-formed version of Led Zeppelin beyond tonight is, of course, the big question. After watching the frenzy and passion brought about by the band, there's no question a tour could be the biggest in music history and might be just what the industry needs to excite and inspire new generations of fans. Because one thing that was clear tonight was, even after 28 years on the sidelines, Led Zeppelin would be the best and biggest band in the world again immediately. The level of performance they gave on this night, no one else has approached since their demise. But if the band makes this a one-off and goes out, as Plant has said many times, with the idea of one final great show, the performance tonight not only cements their place in history, it will achieve what seemed to be impossible, making the legend of rock's most mythical act grow even larger.