[Jeff Higgins]

I saw them live twice in Seattle back in the '70's. First time was a smaller venue, and I was only about 10-15 rows back. Second time was the Kingdome, and I was up in the cheap seats. First one stands as one of the top two or three shows I have ever seen; the second as one of the worst two or three. Not because they were "on" at the first but not the second, but rather because of the sound quality in that big old concrete dome. It sucked. If I was close enough to be inside the echo zone, I'm sure it would have been great. In other words, the quality of my experience was no reflection on their performance. Just the venue.

I feel for you guys that never had the chance to see them back in their heyday. "Sloppy" is, I guess, a relative term. They were just so damn talented they could afford to get "sloppy" and still be tighter than just about any other band before or since. And I never saw it as "sloppy"; more like playing and singing from their hearts and souls, rather than stoically grinding out the studio version note for note. So much of what they did on stage was improvised, playing within the framework of the song, but taking off in whatever direction Jimmy's trip was taking him. John Paul Jones was the master of getting them back on track after those wild excursions; he was the anchor they very much needed.

Folks can argue talent, technical merit, mass appeal, and whatnot all day long. These guys were just pretty damn entertaining. Their music was far different than anything that came before or has come since. No other single band has stood so far appart from their contemporaries, and has succeeded in changing the landscape of rock and roll to the degree these guys did. None of us has trouble remembering dozens of old Zeppelin songs; they were very much a part of the fabric of a generation's life. There will never be another. So what if they are all old farts; I am too. It would be great to go down memory lane with them. I hope they tour...