Led Zeppelin have played their first concert in 19 years, before nearly 20,000 fans at London's 02 arena.
Led Zeppelin have played their first concert in 19 years, before nearly 20,000 fans at London's 02 arena.
Their set, lasting about two hours, opened with Good Times Bad Times, the first track of their debut album.
Their set, lasting about two hours, opened with Good Times Bad Times, the first track of their debut album.
Original band members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones were joined on stage by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham.
Original band members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones were joined on stage by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham.
More than one million people had taken part in a ballot for the 9,000 pairs of tickets available for Monday's show.
More than one million people had taken part in a ballot for the 9,000 pairs of tickets available for Monday's show.
Air guitars
Air guitars
Plant told the crowd the reunion had meant a lot to the band members.
Plant told the crowd the reunion had meant a lot to the band members.
They had been through "thousands and thousands of emotions" together during rehearsals, he said.
They had been through "thousands and thousands of emotions" together during rehearsals, he said.
"We did it, Ahmet," he said after Stairway To Heaven - a reference to Ahmet Ertegun, the Atlantic Records founder who died last year and to whom the concert was dedicated.
"We did it, Ahmet," he said after Stairway To Heaven - a reference to Ahmet Ertegun, the Atlantic Records founder who died last year and to whom the concert was dedicated.
Monday's show opened with news footage comparing the impact of Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, before a dazzling light show started.
Monday's show opened with news footage comparing the impact of Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, before a dazzling light show started.
Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant (left) and Jimmy Page played at Live Aid
That's probably the one and only time I'll get to see them in the flesh, so tonight is a very special night Mary Wallace
The band then launched into a set featuring both new and old songs, with 59-year-old singer Plant strutting across the stage to the accompaniment of air guitars from the audience.
The band then launched into a set featuring both new and old songs, with 59-year-old singer Plant strutting across the stage to the accompaniment of air guitars from the audience.
In two moments redolent of the band in its heyday, Plant left the stage during an epic instrumental, and Page began playing his guitar with a violin bow.
In two moments redolent of the band in its heyday, Plant left the stage during an epic instrumental, and Page began playing his guitar with a violin bow.
The set included Dazed and Confused, Black Dog, and after more than an hour, Stairway to Heaven.
The set included Dazed and Confused, Black Dog, and after more than an hour, Stairway to Heaven.
After almost two hours, Plant was still bursting with energy as the band closed with Kashmir, before the demand for an encore brought them back to play Whole Lotta Love.
After almost two hours, Plant was still bursting with energy as the band closed with Kashmir, before the demand for an encore brought them back to play Whole Lotta Love.
After the performance, fans voiced their approval.
After the performance, fans voiced their approval.
That's probably the one and only time I'll get to see them in the flesh, so tonight is a very special night Mary Wallace
Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant (left) and Jimmy Page played at Live Aid
"I couldn't pick out a favourite song," said Terence Baker, 47, from Wimbledon, in south London.
"I couldn't pick out a favourite song," said Terence Baker, 47, from Wimbledon, in south London.
"Every track was brilliant. They still know how to put on a show after all these years."
"Every track was brilliant. They still know how to put on a show after all these years."
"Jimmy Page was incredible tonight," added Mary Wallace, 39, from Sunderland.
"Jimmy Page was incredible tonight," added Mary Wallace, 39, from Sunderland.
"If anything, I think his guitar playing has got better over the years.
"If anything, I think his guitar playing has got better over the years.
"That's probably the one and only time I'll get to see them in the flesh, so tonight is a very special night."
"That's probably the one and only time I'll get to see them in the flesh, so tonight is a very special night."
In an attempt to beat touts, fans had been told they would not get a pass unless they presented not only photo ID, but also the credit card they used to book their tickets and the confirmation code they received at the time.
In an attempt to beat touts, fans had been told they would not get a pass unless they presented not only photo ID, but also the credit card they used to book their tickets and the confirmation code they received at the time.
Fractured finger
Fractured finger
But that did not stop some eBay sellers claiming to have tickets, with some selling for up to £1,800 each.
But that did not stop 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.
Promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who staged Live Aid and Live 8, said the reunion of the band, who have sold an estimated 300m albums, had probably generated more interest than "any show I've done".
Promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who staged Live Aid and Live 8, said the reunion of the band, who have sold an estimated 300m albums, had probably generated more interest than "any show I've done".
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.
Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, Foreigner and Paolo Nutini - all Ertegun signings - also performed at the concert.
Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, Foreigner and Paolo Nutini - all Ertegun signings - also performed at the concert.
Did you go to the Led Zeppelin concert? What did you think of it? 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.
Performance on par with Knebworth 79. Still good after all these years, and Jason fitted in well. Brilliant performace. Honoured to have been at both concerts.Mahendra Dabhi, Solihull
There is only one thing that I can really say about the concert. I can die happily now.Andreas, Trøndheim, Norway
Wow! What a gig. Spine-tingling.I was near the front. Best song? The Song Remains The Same. Just gorgeous. Best Moment? When Robert Plant said "Good Evening", in a "been-a-while" (28 years) type way. They played everything we expected, apart from maybe "Heartbreaker". A class act. I feel I can die happy!! Richard, West Byfleet, Surrey
I am utterly blown away by this evening. They didn't sound like they hadn't played for 19 years, and Jason Bonham was fantastic. I'm still reeling from it, trying to come down; and if they announce a tour, I will move heaven and earth to go and see them again. Without doubt, the best concert I've ever been to and not one that will be easily surpassed.Vik, Hoddesdon, Herts
I was almost crying by Ramble On, which was the second song. They proved, beyond doubt, that they are the best band ever to grace the stages of this planet. Their repertoire is unparalleled. Please, god, let them tour so that all the doubters can finally get the point. Zep, we salute youSonny, London
I wasn't sure how well we could expect them to play but they were astonishingly good. The renditions were tight and there were some outstanding highlights. Pick of the night? Kashmir, which was a monster. Plant was fabulous and a special mention must be given to Jason Bonham. His father would have been proud.Mike Miller, Newcastle upon Tyne
Absolutely unbelievable. Started with Good Times, Bad Times and it just got better with every song. The atmosphere was the best I have ever seen at any concert, with Kashmir the highlight for me - the whole place just went nuts. I almost hope they DON'T do a tour, because this was so perfect and would be such a perfect way of ending Led Zeppelin. But maybe I'm just being selfish! ZEPPELIN RULE!Steve Schpeed, London, N6
best gig since bowie. We took a boat to and from the gig. Will remember it until I die.robin and Gary, dublin, ireland
