The greatest rock band of all time deserves the heaviest symphonic salute of the century. This is it.
Following two sold-out shows at the Sydney Opera House and thirty-five years after Led Zeppelin's official demise with the death of drummer John Bonham, Brisbane and Melbourne fans will witness a tribute befitting a legend that only grows in stature with each passing year.
Stairway To Heaven: Led Zeppelin Masters is fronted by Zep Boys, their powerhouse vocalist Vince Contarino and accompanied by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and The Black Dog Orchestra (Brisbane and Melbourne respectively). Vince shares five LZ songs strongly rooted in mythology and fantasy.
1. 'Kashmir'
Robert Plant and Jimmy Page loved to travel far and wide in search of new sounds and musical ideas. One such place was Kashmir in India. In 1930 a book by the title of 'Beyond Himalayas' talks about the way of Masters and their knowledge of truth and way of life which they would not reveal until the time was right.There is a phrase in the lyrics of Kashmir that goes: 'Secret elders of the gentle race / This world is seldom seen / They talk of days for which they sit and wait / All will be revealed.' Some of these people were touted with having the power and skill for gliding and low-level flying without machine or man-made aid. So it is no surprise we find the lyrics: 'Mama I’ve been flyin’ I been flyin’.'
{youtube}ZDwotNLyz10{/youtube}
2. 'Immigrant Song'
This is a high powered, heavy-riff tune with wailing screams and haunting vocals. The inspiration was definitely from Old Norse mythology from the Vikings. Plant sings about Valhalla (a great Viking Hall in the heavens where fallen warriors that have been slain in battle are received. 'To fight the horde to sing and cry Valhalla I am coming'. Also: 'The Hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new land'.The great Viking god Thor held the Hammer of the Gods. Many critics referred to the sound of Led Zeppelin’s music as the 'Hammer of the Gods'.
{youtube}RlNhD0oS5pk{/youtube}
3. 'Achilles Last Stand'
This time Robert Plant takes reference from Ancient Greek mythology. Following a car accident where Plant suffered a broken ankle tour dates were postponed so Jimmy and Robert went to Morocco.It is said that with the weight of the world on Plant's shoulders for cancelling a huge tour he felt an affinity with the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and created the double meaning using the Titan god of endurance and astronomy Atlas and writing the lyric: 'The mighty arms of Atlas / Hold the heavens from the earth.' He also mentions Albion (Albion is the most ancient name for Great Britain). 'Oh Albion remains, sleeping now to rise again.'
{youtube}YWOuzYvksRw{/youtube}
4. 'Ramble On'
The inspiration taken from J.R.R. Tolkien’s work from 'Lord Of The Rings' is obvious. 'Twas in the darkest depths of Mordor I met a girl so fair.' 'Gollum the evil one crept up and slipped away with her.' Plant later admitted that he was embarrassed by the Tolkien references, as they don't make all that much sense. A fair maiden wouldn't be found in Mordor, and Gollum would want nothing to do with her anyway since his only concern is the precious ring.{youtube}a3HemKGDavw{/youtube}
5. 'Battle Of The Evermore'
Here Plant combines Tolkien reference and King Arthur mythology. He sings: 'I'm waiting for the angels of Avalon, waiting for the eastern glow.' Avalon was a legendary island where King Arthur went to recover and heal after his final battle. The enchantress Morgan Le Fay resided here. Then of course, the famous 'Lord Of The Rings' reference to the Ring wraiths. 'The drums will shake the castle wall, the ring wraiths ride in black, ride on.'{youtube}lnYQkGeTAOU{/youtube}
Led Zeppelin Masters Tour Dates
Sat 2 Jul - Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre8-9 Jul - Hamer Hall (Melbourne)
