They say legends are often shrouded in mystery, but for Led Zeppelin, the iconic rock band behind hits like "Stairway to Heaven" and "Whole Lotta Love," the layers of intrigue have only added to their allure. The newly released documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin aims to peel back those layers, offering fans and new viewers alike a glimpse of the band as they formed and evolved, well before they became rock royalty.
Directed by Bernard MacMahon and co-produced by Allison McGourty, this documentary focuses intently on the early years of Led Zeppelin, exploring how they emerged from the ashes of The Yardbirds—a band the guitarist and founder Jimmy Page once played with. The film not only features extensive interviews with the surviving members—Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones—but also uncovers never-before-seen archival footage and personal artifacts, including Plant's handwritten lyrics to "Ramble On" and old performance recordings.
Page, now 81, reflects on the band’s beginnings and its rise to monumental fame, stating, "I knew what the momentum was from the point where we hit the States. The first record was just about to come out in January 1969… it was just sort of meant to be." This sentiment echoes throughout the film, illustrating how each of the band members found their way to forming Led Zeppelin.
The documentary opens with scenes of Page rehearsing with John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, and John Bonham, as they launched their sound from the dimly lit basement under London’s Gerrard Street. Before flipping the light switch on rock history, Page had modest beginnings, working as a session guitarist for popular bands. It wasn't until he joined The Yardbirds and later formed Led Zeppelin with two relatively unknown musicians from the Midlands—Plant and Bonham—that his career took flight.
According to MacMahon, they sought to demystify the band’s Viking-like image of excess and debauchery. "Forget all the myths—the private jets, drugs, and bands like Mötley Crüe thought Led Zeppelin was about. This is the beginning—the least-known part of the Led Zeppelin story, one shrouded in mystery," he stated. The filmmakers recognized the importance of portraying the meaningful moments before the fame overshadowed them, highlighting both the band’s artistic innovation and their personal struggles.
Director MacMahon emphasized the uniqueness of the band's music, noting, "It was unique. There was nothing like it. Each album was different." This creative evolution is showcased throughout Becoming Led Zeppelin, culminating at their legendary performance at the Royal Albert Hall after they conquered the U.S. market.
Through clear storytelling and insightful interviews, the filmmakers aim to depict Led Zeppelin's impact on rock music. John Paul Jones recalled his teenage beginnings, describing: "I was under the spell of what I describe as ‘a very cool priest,’" who inspired him to pick up the bass guitar. Meanwhile, Bonham's family support and Plant's persistence to pursue singing—despite his parents pushing for traditional occupations—are highlighted, underscoring the band's commitment to their craft.
While many fans might be expecting details about the group’s tumultuous later years, MacMahon and McGourty chose to focus on the joyful beginnings of the band. They aim to reclaim the narrative from the tragedy and chaos experienced down the line. "The Led Zeppelin story ends in tragedy… But we took them back to the good times, to the beginning: when it started, when it was joy," McGourty commented.
The filmmakers faced challenges sourcing footage of the band, which MacMahon noted required extensive research and detective work, especially since Led Zeppelin rarely participated in interviews or television appearances. With limited visual documentation of this legendary band’s formative moments, they spent years digging deep to unearth invaluable material for the documentary.
The film does not shy away from showcasing the raw and human side of the band, such as Plant’s comments reflecting on early tours filled with energy—and yes, the occasional debauchery. He reminisces, grinning, "We were 20 years old; there’s drugs and lots of girls.” Yet, this mixture of youthful exuberance and ambition cultivated the powerhouse group whose influence still resonates today.
But what next for Led Zeppelin? With talk of potential sequels to explore later chapters of the band's saga, MacMahon mentioned, "If the band were even agreeable to telling the next part of the story, I would have to think long and hard about... If we have another five years to kill." For now, though, it seems fans and newcomers alike can enjoy the depth of appreciative storytelling found within Becoming Led Zeppelin, now showing in theaters.
The impact of this documentary is set to ripple through the music world, potentially reawakening interest among listeners who may not fully grasp the legacy of Led Zeppelin before plunging head-first through the album collections the band has blessed the world with. With their unmistakable sound and enduring appeal, this isn't just the story of five musicians—it's the reverberation of rock history itself.