Footage unearthed from Led Zeppelin’s landmark 1970 Madison Square Garden show
Watch the band play 'Immigrant Song' and 'Heartbreaker'
A rare clip from one of Led Zeppelin’s iconic concerts has been unearthed.
YouTube user ikhnaton uploaded footage from the band’s September 19, 1970 performance at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. The show in question has been hailed by Led Zeppelin as “one of their best ever” on their own website.
In the 8mm film footage frontman Robert Plant sings the opening to ‘Immigrant Song’ before the clip shows the rock legends playing ‘Heartbreaker’, with Jimmy Page ripping it on guitar.
Fans commented on the surfaced footage, sharing memories of being at the concert or commenting on the quality of the band’s performance.
User DemoMan wrote: “I was at the afternoon show that day. Saw them 5 times over the years but they were the best ever on this day. None of the sloppiness that became part of their charm over time. Plant’s voice was super strong almost as high as the studio!”
Another fan wrote: “Jimmy in total command. So clear. Robert living up to his reputation. The rhythm section…just another night ! Dear Lord how good they were.”
“This video is absolutely stunning. How’d they get so close?!? Probably in the top 5 best Zeppelin shows ever, and the energy really comes through in this video,” user Sledzeppelin said.
‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’, the band’s first ever documentary, was released last year featuring old performance footage. It was first announced in 2019 to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary and later premiered at the 2021 Venice Film Festival.
In other news, last December news broke that the band’s former tour manager, Richard Cole, had died at the age of 75. The London-born music manager was known for working with the legendary rockers from 1968 to 1980.
Cole also worked with Eric Clapton, Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne during his career.
Plant paid tribute to his friend on Instagram, writing next to a photo of the pair together: “Farewell Ricardo…sadly no more tall tales…brave to the end.”
Led Zeppelin originally disbanded in 1980 but have since had a number of reunions, with the last one being in 2007.