By NOEL MURPHY
THE BIGGEST rock band of the 1970s was never one for a lack of excesses.
Private jets with their own fireplaces, hard drugs, wild parties, under-age groupies, even dabbling in the occult – few sins were left unattributed to ultra-loud, heavy metal rock-blues-folk outfit Led Zeppelin.
When the first of rock’s supergroups reformed for a one-off concert in 2007, tickets fetched thousands and set a Guinness Book of World Records listing for the greatest concert demand, with 20 million requests.
Vocalist Robert Plant has resisted lead guitarist Jimmy Page’s repeated attempts to reform the band, making the prospects of ever hearing Led Zeppelin live again miniscule – and making a tribute show in Geelong next week an essential ticket for rusted-on Zeppelin fans.
But Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin Celebration is not just any tribute.
With vocalists Jack Jones, Amy Findlay, Jimmy Cupples, Frank Lakoudis and Shay Liza joined by a nine-piece band and string section – not to mention big-screen visuals – the three-hour tribute travels through the back catalogue of the biggest band in rock history.
Australian music historian Glenn A. Baker said “rock tributes don’t get any better”, while BEAT managzine’s Christie Eliezer wrote “the performers’ sheer love for the music is what makes this concert so special”.
The show debuted in Sydney in 2003 before touring nationally, featuring Led Zeppelin hits such as Rock and Roll, Kashmir, the Rain Song, Moby Dick, Ramble On, Stairway to Heaven, No Quarter, Battle of Evermore, and Immigrant Song.
Established in 1968, Led Zeppelin produced nine studio and three live albums, selling 300-plus million worldwide.
Geelong’s Joseph Calderazzo is the creative director and a guitarist for Whole Lotta Love after starting the show at Sydney’s Iguana Bar in Kings Cross with “a couple of violins, a viola and a couple of cellos”.
Geelong Performing Arts Centre hosts Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin Celebration on 20 March.
