Coolest Shit Ever: The Last Led Zeppelin Concert Ever. 30 Years Ago Today 7/7/80
7 Jul, 2010 in Coolest Shit Ever, fnord, Free Download, Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, music
Pic from Bonzo’s Last Gig 7/7/80 Berlin
This one is bittersweet, Youdopia. Today is the 30th anniversary of Led Zeppelin’s last show with John Bonham. They played Berlin, and as most people know, the 1980 tour was not a high point for the band. I will say that they were pulling it together, though. The show as a whole is not, in my opinion, noteworthy, unlike their Zurich show from 6/29/80 which I posted as a free download for you, but there is something amazing about this gig.
The very last song Led Zeppelin played live was Whole Lotta Love, but it is unlike any Whole Lotta Love they’ve ever done. The closest analogy I can make is to the Miles Davis shows from the 1970′s, before his hiatus. Dirty, edgy, evil, and ugly. John Paul Jones’ bass is metallic and is very much the lead instrument, and Jimmy Page plays a lot with a curt, metallic staccato tone. I used to hate this song, but now I realize that it is absolute genius.
Download it here: http://www.mediafire.com/?mtmgygmjvjn
If you are a vile, inhuman swine, and need to test drive to decide if the music is worthy of your pristine ears, you may preview a low-fi version of the first ten minutes of this below. Otherwise, download the song, and really give it a listen. It’s nuts. It’s unlike anything Zeppelin every did. It’s also the Coolest Shit Ever.
thanks for posting this. I see what you mean, this is completely different version of WLL from anything I’ve ever heard. I just discovered this site yesterday and I am glad for my good timing. I am loving all the awesome Zep live covers and bootlegs. It is great. I will be recommending this site to my fellow zep fans in utah, and checking out the rest of your stuff.
Why would you kick them in the nuts like this over an anniversary? You know they were horrible. They have done so much since then. Let that “SUCK” era pass. They were awful. Really awful. Thanks for the post however. Youdopia FTW/.
I think that it’s a difference of inside/outside. I’m inside a bubble of diehard Zep fans, and collectors. I know that 1980 Zep sucks, compared to 1970, or 73. What I’m saying is that when I listened to this track, I dug it. The comparison to 1970′s Miles Davis is, I think, apt.
I think it’s noteworthy that yesterday was a record, as far as traffic goes. I’ve never had more people on my site before.
You were with me, in 1988 or 89, in that CD store on the second floor on Elm st. We listened to the first Zep boot cd ever, from Zurich 1980. You went w00t as much as I did, even though we cringed a lot. Dry soundboards are NOT the the friend of junkie Jimmy.
Jimmy jumped the shark in 73, or 75. We both saw the Firm, twice. It was not amazing. However, when we saw Jimmy at the Outrider show, he redeemed himself.
It’s a noteworthy date, and I marked it.
I guess I jumped the the gun. I was too quick to judge. It happens in this Web we have created. Too much twitter, not enough consider. I lost my mind for a second, then typed out the insanity. That’s all it took. Thanks for the post, it was fun to back in time.
You were 100% right. That show sucked, and that tour sucked, from a casual Zep fan standpoint. I am sunk chest deep in fandom, which is why I’m listening to the Death Wish 2 outtakes/demos boot as I type this.
I even have all but one or two of the ARMS shows, and I find some gold there too. I still can’t dig the Firm, and I never ever ever could abide Coverdale/Page (which has some truly amazing playing on it) because of the facepalm factor.
I’m that way w/ the Stones. I love the golden era, but who doesn’t? It’s easy to love early Zep, because it’s a goddamn force of nature. It’s easy to love Exile era Stones for the same reason.
I love your sharp tongue and acerbic wit. Bring it. Someone needs to tell the Emperor that he has no clothes. I love you, my brother. Don’t censor yourself.
Robert Plant Returns To Americana With Band of Joy
Robert Plant Returns To Americana With Band of Joy
http://www.billboard.com/news/robert-plant-returns-to-americana-with-band-1004097565.story#/news/robert-plant-returns-to-americana-with-band-1004097565.story
I am so done w/ Robert Plant. I haven’t really liked anything he’s done since… well excluding Page/Plant, since 1993. The show you and I and Brian saw was awesome. Remember? Jimmy Page was at the soundboard. They actually started talks for the P/P thing there. Another time they were together while we were around, and they didn’t jam.
Robert Plant did an admirable job distancing himself from Zep while establishing a legit solo career. He had some great songs. They, unfortunately, are more “80′s” than Jimmy’s Firm stuff. That said, Principle of Moments, and Pictures at Eleven have some really, really good songs.
Penis.
I have a copy of the lp of “Led Zeppelin, BONZO’Z LAST EVER GIG IN BERLIN 7 1980. Very good condition. How can I find out more information about it and other that I have?
Tzirkler@aol.com
Thanks
Hi Thomas,
I’m not sure what it’s worth. I have the same album, w/ the stripey cover. If you’re looking for info (value, quality, etc) on your old boot records, I suggest you check out the forums on ledzeppelin.com . You have to register, but you will find people who can point you toward some resources. I’m sorry I don’t know of any vinyl resources off the top of my head. Thank you for writing, though.