Led Zeppelin — Becoming Legit?
A Review of the film “Becoming Led Zeppelin”
A Legendary Band, A Controlled Narrative
Led Zeppelin’s story is filled with myth, excess, and controversy. However, none of those legendary tales appear in the band’s only authorized documentary, Becoming Led Zeppelin, which was released in IMAX format last week to mostly sold-out theaters, setting a record as the “biggest weekend opening for an IMAX-exclusive movie release.”
For the record, Led Zeppelin effectively disbanded in 1980 when drummer John Bonham died of pulmonary aspiration at age 32. Bonham, a truly legendary rock drummer who combined power, finesse, and swing, was irreplaceable.
Their ill-fated “Live Aid” reunion in 1985, with Phil Collins and Tony Thompson (from Chic and Power Station) sharing drum duties, only underscored this fact. It wasn’t until Bonham’s son, Jason Bonham, stepped in that the surviving members performed together again, culminating in the 2007 O2 Arena concert, later released as Celebration Day, proving that Zeppelin could still deliver.
A Love Letter to Rock and Roll
For fans like me — or, more dramatically, my son, who missed out on Zeppelin’s original era — Becoming Led Zeppelinis a true valentine to rock and roll.
Robert Plant (vocals), John Paul Jones (bass and keyboards), and Jimmy Page (guitarist and musical alchemist) all look and sound remarkable. Alongside a previously unbroadcast interview with Bonham, they are erudite, witty, and charming in that reserved British way, presenting themselves as mere passengers on a supersonic ride.
Jones, in particular, stands out. His understated charm had both me and my son wishing for more of his commentary. He remains nonplussed by the massive stardom that catapulted Zeppelin into the stratosphere as the biggest-selling rock act of the 1970s, both in record sales and live performances.
Page, however, is clearly the architect of Led Zeppelin’s trajectory. The factual stories he shares will be familiar to any serious rock and roll fan. However, for younger viewers like my son, who had no idea that Page was a prolific session musician before Zeppelin — or who likely doesn’t recognize any of the acts he played with — these details offer fresh insight.
The Drummer That Changed Everything
As a drummer, what my son does know is that John Bonham revolutionized rock drumming. His signature bass drum triplets on Good Times Bad Times set a new standard, and this fact, esoteric as it may be, is covered in ample detail. Moments like these underscore how well-crafted this documentary is.
A Film Made by Fans, for Fans
Director Bernard McMahon and co-writer Allison McGourty are clearly music lovers and Zeppelin fans. They avoid many of the common pitfalls of big-budget music documentaries, which often frustrate die-hard fans.
While I noticed a few factual inaccuracies, they were minor distractions compared to the sheer delight of the unearthed concert footage. Seeing Zeppelin perform in their early glory on an IMAX screen, both visually and sonically stunning, might be the best use of IMAX I have ever experienced.
The Magic of the Music
I never saw Zeppelin in concert. My age didn’t sync with their career. But witnessing a live performance of “Dazed and Confused” in the film — which Page aptly describes as “evil” — gave me chills. Damn, it was.
Led Zeppelin, under Page’s tight control, has remained an elusive force in rock history. Fans have been frustrated by the lack of reunions and the band’s slow embrace of new formats like CDs and streaming. Yet, Page’s patience has paid off.
This documentary is fantastic, the perfect film to revive the midnight movie tradition — only now in IMAX.
What’s Left Out?
And what of those infamous tales — Peter Grant, the “Mud Shark” incident, Aleister Crowley, the groupies? Well, I suspect we’ll never hear those, at least officially.
But so what? It was always about the music, the very music that Rolling Stone initially dismissed, particularly during the first two albums, which Becoming Led Zeppelin covers in depth.
Like Get Back, Don’t Look Back, and Summer of Soul, it’s almost incomprehensible that some of this footage even exists.
Ramblin’ on!