Led Zeppelin's first-ever authorised documentary tells their tale in a cautious tone
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Led Zeppelin, formed in 1968, is one of music history's most influential English bands. The band blended blues, rock, and psychedelia into a unique sound, setting the gold standard for heavy metal and hard rock.
Robert Plant's power vocals (known as Zeppelin scream), Jimmy Page's memorable bluesy riffs, John Bonham's fast, loud, and triplets-heavy drumming, and John Paul Jones's multi-instrumental talent gave this band a unique and distinct significance for the rock 'n roll genre. But for all their legendary status, the band has remained notoriously private, never fully endorsing a documentary about their rise until now.
Bernard MacMahon's Becoming Led Zeppelin is the first official documentary analysing the band's origins, documenting their early days and rise to stardom.
The film combines rare interviews, archival footage, and newly uncovered audio recordings, offering fresh insights into the band members' lives.
This documentary shows the band's evolution from session musicians and struggling artists to rock gods. But while it's a treat for die-hard fans, Becoming Led Zeppelin ultimately feels like controlled storytelling, steering clear of the controversial part of the band's history.
The documentary offers a detailed introduction to Led Zeppelin's origins. It follows Jimmy Page assembling a supergroup after leaving The Yardbirds. He recruits Robert Plant, a young vocalist with a magnetic presence, John Bonham, a powerhouse drummer, and John Paul Jones, a skilled session musician. Together, they complete the line-up and set to rock the stage of the English music arena.
The band's chemistry was immediate, and their first rehearsals revealed something extraordinary. The documentary shows them playing small clubs on their first U.S. tour to sell out arenas in months, culminating with their iconic album Led Zeppelin II, which topped the charts.
The biggest flaw of the documentary is the complete omission of negative details. The band's ruthless manager, Peter Grant, is reduced to a background figure. There is no mention of the band's well-documented excesses, their notorious treatment of groupies, or the growing internal tensions that would later contribute to their disbandment.
Instead, the film presents biased storytelling, ignoring the costs of their success. This omission feels significant for a band known for rebellion and chaos. Can a true Led Zeppelin story ignore the darker side of their rise?
The documentary has memorable moments, like a heartfelt tribute to John Bonham with a rare interview, showing his passion for music. The surviving members, Page, Plant, and Jones, share interesting stories with humour and nostalgia. However, their reflections sometimes feel rehearsed, as if presenting a polished version of history rather than a raw, unfiltered account.
Becoming Led Zeppelin might be a window into the band's formative years, but it still feels like it's shying away from presenting more details. For a band that lived so unapologetically, this documentary feels strangely cautious. It captures the light but avoids the shadow. Is this genuinely Becoming Led Zeppelin, or just the version they want us to see?