[Jaden]

Originally Posted by seannx

Saw Led Zeppelin twice, both times in Chicago, spring and fall 1969. They played two sets the first time, and we were about 20 feet from the stage. Excellent concert, fresh, great performances, and all the songs from their first album. For the second, they played twice, with each set being a separate concert, and songs from their second album. We went to the first afternoon show, and it was okay, but Page looked like he was getting strung out and struggling to put in a passable effort.
My friends and I were huge Zeppelin fans, however when the 3rd album came out, we were seriously disappointed. I know the band thought it was great new work, and liked to run down their first album, but we didn’t get it, starting with Plant’s opening screech on Immigrant Song.
IMO the super group experience and subsequent rock star excesses were emblematic of the perils of success in the 70’s and 80’s.
The Bands Last Waltz movie (by Scorcese) in comparison with The Song Remains the Same (both on Amazon and made around 1974), illustrate what I’m getting at.
I prefer to remember the group I saw at that first performance.

I can relate to the idea of going back to the origins and beginnings of any artist’s output; some of the most influential and original work often happens there. Self conscious degeneration seems to go in hand with later recognition and fame. I’m always turning the clock back on art to look for the fork in the road when that new development happens which can be seminal and influence many others. Art history courses I took followed this approach too.