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Led Zeppelin return to the stage Led Zeppelin return to the stage
(40 minutes later)
Led Zeppelin are appearing in front of thousands of fans at London's O2 arena in their first concert for 19 years. Led Zeppelin have opened their first concert for 19 years at London's 02 arena with Good Times Bad Times, the first track of their debut album.
Devotees of the band spent the day receiving their passes for the one-off tribute gig amid tight security. More than one million people took part in a ballot for just 9,000 pairs of tickets for the show.
The thousands of fans spent the day receiving their passes for the one-off tribute gig amid tight security.
One fan Geoff Jones said: "I have not been able to sleep for days." Another paid £83,000 for a pair of tickets.One fan Geoff Jones said: "I have not been able to sleep for days." Another paid £83,000 for a pair of tickets.
The band, who have sold an estimated 300m albums, are performing a 90-minute set as part of the concert for late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun.
Mr Jones added: "For me it's kind of like that Christmas feeling where you know Santa Claus is coming and you're like a child waiting for the biggest present you've ever waited for in your whole life."Mr Jones added: "For me it's kind of like that Christmas feeling where you know Santa Claus is coming and you're like a child waiting for the biggest present you've ever waited for in your whole life."
More than one million people took part in a ballot for just 9,000 pairs of tickets for the show at the O2 arena. There was huge demand to get into the one-off gig, which sees Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones performing together for the first time since the late 1980s.
In an attempt to beat touts, promoters told fans to take photo ID in person to collect their passes. The show opened with news footage comparing the impact of Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, before a dazzling light show started the set.
Fan queues Tickets have been fetching huge sums on eBay
The band, who have sold an estimated 300m albums, are performing a 90-minute set as part of the concert in memory of late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun.
In an attempt to beat touts, fans were told they would not get a pass unless they presented not only the photo ID, but also the credit card they used to book their tickets and the confirmation code they received at the time.
But that has not stopped some eBay sellers claiming to have tickets, with some selling for up to £1,800 each.But that has not stopped some eBay sellers claiming to have tickets, with some selling for up to £1,800 each.
BBC Radio 2 listener Kenneth Donnell, from Glasgow, had the most expensive tickets - after paying £83,000 for a pair of passes in an auction for Children In Need.BBC Radio 2 listener Kenneth Donnell, from Glasgow, had the most expensive tickets - after paying £83,000 for a pair of passes in an auction for Children In Need.
Tickets have been fetching huge sums on eBayThere was huge demand to get into the one-off gig, which sees Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones perform together for the first time in 19 years.
Fans travelled from 70 countries, and some of those who picked up their wristbands on Sunday queued for more than five hours.
Fans were told they would not get a pass unless they presented not only the photo ID, but also the credit card they used to book their tickets and the confirmation code they received at the time.
Harvey Goldsmith is hoping he has stopped the tickets being touted
Promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who staged Live Aid and Live 8, said the reunion had probably generated more interest than "any show I've done".Promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who staged Live Aid and Live 8, said the reunion had probably generated more interest than "any show I've done".
Speaking to BBC News he said: "I'm really pleased because a lot of people are picking their tickets up today.
"They're given a wristband, which won't come off until the show. It's locked on, just to make sure they don't sell them off.
"Unfortunately there is an unscrupulous element about, who are constantly getting tickets and selling them on places like eBay."
Fractured finger
The concert had been postponed from 26 November after guitarist Page fractured a finger.The concert had been postponed from 26 November after guitarist Page fractured a finger.
The three surviving members of Led Zeppelin were joined by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham.The three surviving members of Led Zeppelin were joined by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham.
Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, Foreigner and Paolo Nutini - all Ertegun signings - will also perform. Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, Foreigner and Paolo Nutini - all Ertegun signings - were also performing.


Are you going to the Led Zeppelin concert? Send us your comments using the form below. Did you go to the Led Zeppelin concert? What did you think of it? Send us your comments using the form below.
I was able to pay and travel to England, but it was impossible to get in. This opportunity, which I've dreamt of all my life, is disappearing away. It's really terrible for me not to attend it. I am from Mexico, and I love Led Zeppelin. Congratulations for those about who will attend. Alonso R Chacon, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
I had the "pleasure" of queuing for four hours yesterday to pick up my wristband. Why? Because someone had the idea that the most efficient way of handing out 20,000 tickets was to print them all out, place them into boxes, index them by the initial letter of the surname, set up 14 collection points, and expect people to be able to queue correctly without cordons or signs. Still, I'm going to see Led Zeppelin.Alvin Ho, London UK
My girlfriend and I picked up our tickets yesterday morning - amid, it has to be said, a very well-organised and well-behaved queue! We can't wait until this evening and work is really dragging! I just hope the excitement of winning in the ballot, buying the tickets and the then delay due to Jimmy's injury doesn't make things over-hyped! Led Zeppelin are the ultimate rock band and I can't wait!!!!!David Waring, Kingsdown, Kent
We arrived at 10:15 for Sunday collection and waited for 3.5 hours for the tickets / wristbands. Little thought appeared to have been applied as to a speedier process within the arena! Wristbands were put on, blocking the next people getting to ticket sign off. But collecting my ticket is fulfilling the dreams of my lifetime. I can't wait to see them on stage!! D Nelson, Stetchworth, Cambridgeshire
I appreciate the need to keep tickets out of the hands of touts. But it has its problems. My girlfriend, knowing I'm a lifelong fan, wanted to get me tickets and so applied to the ballot. She won and now we have two tickets. Fantastic! But she's not a fan and in order for me to go she has to go also. Now I'm happy to cover the £140 extra for her, and she's happy to twiddle her thumbs for a few hours but it seems a total waste! After all millions of people want these tickets.Gregor Young, London
No line at the O2 this morning! I waited an hour yesterday and went home. Thank goodness I did, as they opened early this morning and it was a breeze. Roll on tonight - I just hope I miss Foreigner!James Endeacott, London
Yep - I'm going and several butterflies have set up residence in my tum. Picked up wristband and ticket yesterday - to be honest the whole ticketing has been completely ill-thought through, no matter how well-intentioned its aims were, and Harvey Goldsmith has treated some fans with complete egotistical disdain. Anyway onto the promised land....BlackCrowe, London
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