Supported by Roland Kirk / Isaac Hayes

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Press Review Excerpt (1): Led Zeppelin Has a Rare Magic

Led Zeppelin is back in town. Hovering, more like a blimp, over Winterland, dropping its inimitable musical bombshells.

This is the British blues-rock group's third visit to San Francisco and their long, late set early this morning (as part of a four act Bill Graham-produced concert) wa almost as impressive as their local debut at Fillmore West in 1968.

The Zeppelin seems to get louder but still retains a definitive sound. I don't have much interest in singer Robert Plant's bodily gyrations, but they don't seem to interfere either with his singing or with the group's instrumental activity.

And guitarist Jimmy Page, even further shrouded in hair curls than ever before, plays like a dream. He understands the role of accompanist  (to vocalist or instrumentalist) and yet can turn on a tough, biting solo in old style blues or electronic head music with no apparent change of pace.

Led Zeppelin has the kind of musical magic on stage that only the great ones possess. Their crowd waits for them, knows them, responds to every chord and nuance. This is fine contemporary music. Mostly blues derived and done with flair and a knowing technique. [P.Elwood/Examiner/Nov. 1969]

Press excerpt (2) For $3 a head, the massive turnout had jammed Winterland to see Roland Kirk, Wolfgang, Isaac Hayes and Led Zeppelin. England’s sensational Bonzo Dog Band was scheduled, but a sign said they were cancelled because of “immigration” problems.

Finally, after midnight, Led Zeppelin came to the stage. Everybody stood up - tired of sitting on the floor for so long, not just to see better. Singer Robert Plant strutted around the stage in a series of Jim Morrison type postures, while Jimmy Page demonstrated his virtuosity on guitar. During one song he did some weird stunts with a violin bow.

Their style seemed to be a bunch of effects, superimposed on a loud pulsing beat, and little else. The Fillmore scene has degenerated to a point where it is scarcely tolerable for performer and audience alike. The cult around it is made up of the masses of militant mediocrity. The freaky clothes have been worn thin and grown ragged at the edges. The group narcissism has gone stale. Rock music has become the prey of corporate leeches.  [Berkeley Barb / Nov. 1969]

Press Excerpt (3): Led Zeppelin Play Winterland - Audience Brought to its Feet.
The audience was brought to its feet before the band even started playing. Indeed, they are a powerful group with Robert Plant, lead vocal and harmonica; John Paul Jones, bass; John Bonham, drums; and the formidable Jimmy Page on a crazy guitar. They played a number of songs from their new album entitled Led Zeppelin II. These songs were done much the same as they are on the album, which is, by the way, well worth listening to. However, the songs they played from their first album were slightly re-arranged. Most people prefer to hear songs exactly the way they’ve been recorded. When a band goes on tour and plays the same songs over and over, the same way every time, the group grows tired of them. Audiences don’t sense it since they don't hear them as much as the group does. The group, therefore, alters the composition. 

Sharing the bill were Isaac Hayes, very good needless to say; Roland Kirk, a good musician and performer  who were good. However, in anticipation of Led Zeppelin, none of these performers seem to really make it. [P. Walker / SV / Nov. 1969]