Led Zeppelin - Achilles Last Stand (Live) | REACTION

[@fishboy91]

Robert Plant always talks about how this song as played at this concert was the best example of how tight and symbiotic John Paul Jones, John Bonham and Jimmy Page were on stage...He believed this was their best performance between the three of them

[@Greg-io1ip]

Very difficult song to perform as written. Fantastic version, but the studio version really shows how complex it is. So much off speed transition and breaks yet the whole time pumping that driving bass and drums. It's easy to get lost by anyone in the song which transition it is on.

[@michaelhickey9723]

100% agreed

[@derekjackson1039]

Yeah it was an 03 interview about the DVD this was on. And he said if you’re going to ask about getting a new drummer go watch this. And you will see the unity between the three of them

[@redpine8665]

The studio version has guitar overdubs. It's interesting to see how Page is able to interchange his playing back and forth to the more prominent guitar parts to cover the fact there's only 1 guitarist on stage in a 2 or 3 guitar compisition.

[@sicotshit7068]

@@redpine8665on the studio version, Page did 12 overdubs, all in one session. It’s amazing how he pulled it off so great on the live. These concerts at Knebworth, were the first big concerts, after not playing about 2 years after Plant’s sons death. You can watch the whole concert here on KZbin for free, Plant tells the audience how nervous he was to to preform. He talks with the audience, the first two songs were a little off, but not bad & then it’s great. I’ve also watched on KZbin the Earls Court (1975) concert, & The Song Remains The Same concert movie. I can’t remember if the first two had short ads, but the movie, you can buy rent or free with short ads. All well worth watching.

[@ros73dros]

This is one of their harder to do live songs for so many reasons. No one can touch them when they're rolling

[@MrDeengels]

9/10 bands wouldn’t touch this live

[@Greg-io1ip]

​@@MrDeengelsMaybe only 1 band in 1 million would attempt Achilles Last Stand live. Even Zepplin feared this creation. It's a masterpiece. But it's like sinking a half court shot at the buzzer to get the win. You may not want a do-over, keep that shot on the highlights!

[@MrDeengels]

@@Greg-io1ip After a decade of tragic losses, constant touring, chemical excess, they still showed the lion had claws. At one point you can see it on Roberts face like yeah we nailed it

[@anissa-joneal5277]

Beyond Rock n Roll… 🎉

[@sicotshit7068]

@@MrDeengelsPage’s too.

[@jeffmcelroy5437]

Page's ability to render his multi tracked guitar army he deployed in the studio into a single guitar arrangement that works is astounding.

[@dougcarson5202]

No kidding, isn't this truly amazing?!! Jimmy's brilliance is on full display here for sure!!

[@artharrison9586]

No autotune, no backup tracks, just four guys freaking killing it. Led Zepplin we’re greater than many people gave them credit for.

[@sicotshit7068]

They sure were, especially the critics, Rolling Stone Magazine especially.

[@StackhausLive]

And no in ear monitors. Playing with stage monitors is a whole different ballgame honestly

[@tedsmith7814]

Sweet! Bonzo swinging hammers back there

[@mikecappadocia5959]

His wife said the same thing!

[@destinyreelly2974]

I’m sorry, I just don’t understand how anyone could not like Led Zeppelin. This is four men, masters of their crafts, getting off on the instruments they’re playing, coming together as one and making magic. I know the truth and so do you. ❤❤❤

[@CliveAdlam-yn8uz]

I've loved them since 68 , 55 years on , I love them more .Respect to you .

[@ItsMe-wm4mc]

Music is subjective.

[@sicotshit7068]

@@ItsMe-wm4mcmaybe delve deep into theirs, if you don’t think theirs is, you have tastes for shit.

[@MH-bt6de]

Some people have poor taste

[@sicotshit7068]

@@MH-bt6de yes they certainly do.

[@jkoslowe]

It's crazy!! They are playing the song at a MUCH faster pace live, than in the recorded version.

[@markdraine3571]

Page probably on smack. Seriously. Gregg Allman said the cocaine made you play slower, the heroin too fast

[@mattr272]

These guys were studio musicians for several years before LZ.

[@sicotshit7068]

@@mattr272Page & JPJ were, Plant & Bonham were small band musicians, Page also had The Yardbirds experience.

[@nicknitro4420]

"I Never had drum lessons, I just played the way I wanted, and got black-listed in Birmingham ....." John Bonham 6/21/1975

[@Bluewizard7131]

Greatest live band in history! Page gets into flows where the music is just flowing through him as if it's coming from some place else and comes out in his guitar.

[@VX_XI]

Nah The Who is the best live band ever. In my opinion. Zeppelin were a great live band from 1969-1973. But from 1975-1980. They became incositent and overly sloppy, not even in the good way. 1977 being thier worst year. Plants voice was worn out, Jimmys guitar work was just... super off. John Bonham would include unnecessary drum films and even John Paul Jones would sometimes mess up by having out of tune equipment and... just singing on songs he couldnt do like "Battle of Evermore". From 1968-1976. The Who were the most consistent and poweful live band ive ever heard.

[@sicotshit7068]

@@VX_XILOL!

[@Goonerdarma]

Knebworth 1979, I was there along with 120,000 others. I got home put the rain song on and cried. Happy days indeed. ☺

[@sheiladrucker6872]

Best band ever. I'm 64 now, they've been my band for over40 years.

[@juliemanarin4127]

Me too...and my favorite as well 😊

[@leegarbutt4566]

So what did you do for 24 years

[@turnsufficient4971]

This song is a real rollicking galloper and absolutely f*cking relentless ! Before the garbage comments about Jimmy sweating and blaming it on drugs -- the language from the small-minded clowns - it's Aug 4th, they're outside, it's the 13th song in their set and he's been jumping around the whole show carrying 8 to 12 lb guitars under tens of thousands of watts of hot stage lights, unless you've been there (on a professionally lit stage) you wouldn't know how hot it is. Jonesy's jamming on his eight string Alembic bass and it sounds great, when mixed properly. He used a Hagstrom eight string bass on the studio version of this song and Nobody's Fault, but Mine. 3/4 of the way through the song you can hear Bonzo's snare get fatter, thicker sounding, as he's beat the head a bit loose on his snare from jack hammering it. Robert's voice is great and clear. They were feeling this performance. Bonzo's fantastic at timing for sure and he was the engine, which drove the Led Zeppelin machine ! RIP Bonzo - we will never forget you ❤💔❤

[@Taterhole]

If I’m not mistaken, it was also raining a bit. Imagine that….. raining in England 😂

[@MrDeengels]

This performance shows the old lion still has claws!!! 9/10 bands wouldn’t touch this live.

[@stevetrivett9334]

@@Taterhole no it wasn’t raining not on the 4th anyway it was a gloriously warm summers day 😎👍👍👍

[@89giantfan]

Well said my friend. !

[@markdraine3571]

Ok. Small -minded but realistic. He was thin and used smack ,dude. Period. Others did as well..Not trying to be unkind but get real .

[@paulschnyder938]

The best live rock you will ever see and hear, ever. And I was there!

[@jamessweet5341]

JPJ with the epic bass crunch, Bonzo going ballistic, Page just flowing like the Mississippi, and the sky high aerialist Plant. No other band could ever do this. It took three fire department engines to put Bonham's drums out after the concert.

[@shellycasbeer3775]

They were so incredible. Bonzo just kicked ass👍🎸🎶🎼🎵

[@Beavetowski]

Arguably the greatest Rock song ever made. And to think at both concerts, they played this after being on stage for over 2 hours.

[@ElGordo1959]

On 4th August 1979 the gods came down from Mount Olympus, on my 20th birthday and played a gig at Knebworth for us mere mortals, and we will be forever grateful.

[@ursgeiser6570]

Are you sure this was the first show? If you have both video recordings, yes audio are both available. Our students are punished without citing a source; on the Internet you can publish everything without; yes i am old.✌

[@DC-ih8bv]

Even with Jimmy not 100% they still pull off this gem. Not many bands can do this. When Jimmy played this song for Keith Richards ...Keith said “ this would be a motherfucker to play live”. He was right.

[@turnsufficient4971]

Nice enthusiastic comment -- none of the recording of Presence was recorded using the Rolling Stones mobile recording studio. Led Zeppelin recorded all of Presence in a dark, dank, dreary basement studio known as Musicland Studios, in Munich, W Germany.

[@DC-ih8bv]

@@turnsufficient4971 yes you are correct . The Stones were coming into studio right after LZ. They negotiated some time. My bad . Keith did say that though lol.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

@@turnsufficient4971 That's where ELO recorded during their halcyon days. Jeff Lynne and Robert Plant, fellow Brummies, were mates so maybe Jeff recommended the place.

[@DarthVader-km6ku]

Glad you guys are taking the time to watch some of the live stuff. I was at this show with about 200,000 other people. Hell of a show, but the press slammed them the next day. With 44 years of hindsight, this still seems unbelievable to me. They weren't perfect but they were better than any other band on the planet.

[@chrisw3421]

the press always slammed them... the press doesn't report, they tell us what to think... or try to. Zeppelin doesn't need the press, most of the world approves of Zeppelin... and for obvious reasons. The press are usually losers that make a living just talking, never creating, always the critic even when no one asks(kind of like my comment here) :)

[@Greg-io1ip]

Probably if you hadn't really digested the album version beforehand, you couldn't comprehend the ability that song takes to nail. It's impossible to nail it but this was nice.

[@rodrigofleischfresser1458]

Oh man, my dream was to watch them live, I saw Sabbath, AC DC, Motorhead, Judas Priest, but absolutely nothing compared to Zeppelin

[@aubreytucker654]

By far..... The GOAT!1!1

[@vincentmindzora403]

Congratulations guys you just got the lead out and went to the church of Led Zeppelin watching them live I encourage you guys to do some more of Led Zeppelin live the best band that ever was it never will be. Period and on that note keep on rocking it I love it

[@emfer3010]

Keep in mind there are 7 guitar layers on the studio version (correct me if I'm wrong) People even adviced Jimmy to bring an extra guitarist in, but he refused. He said we (the band) can handle it. JPJ was/is more than happy to let Plant and Page be in the spotlight. He prefer to be in the background, don't feel sorry for him. If you pay attention, they always start far apart, then at the end you'll see all three of them standing close to Bonzo. Great reaction guys.

[@ItsMe-wm4mc]

I believe it was 12 guitar tracks over dubbed for this song. All done in 1 session. Anazing!

[@sicotshit7068]

@@ItsMe-wm4mcyes you are correct, & Page did amazing considering that. Generally their lives are different then the studio versions, hell their different from one concert to the next.

[@juliemanarin4127]

No Quarter live 1973 at msg shows JPJ quite a bit. Keith Richard's told Jimmy that they would never be able to play that song live! Hah!!!

[@anthonyorlando5425]

Even on Labor Day Led Zeppelin doesn’t get the day off!

[@rkurniawan4432]

after this drumming masterclass & you get back reacting to their album, you'll meet another bonzo's masterclass in "fool in the rain" 👌

[@chrisclark7170]

Fool in the Rain, sounds so simple but is so damn complex and layered

[@terryodell9803]

It was a dream come true to see these gods at both Knebworth shows which is only a 12 miles from my home. Page is an absolute wizard what a performer. Best band and best live band ever. LEGENDS 🎶

[@MrDeengels]

NO band in their right mind would attempt this live. Except the one band who could, ZEPPELIN

[@miketreacy5712]

I was there on that night and it was utterly incredible. People around me were just open mouthed in wonder. Zeppelin were under immense pressure that night. They had not performed anywhere since 1977 and not in the UK since 1975. Punk rock had happened in between and there was a real antipathy towards 'super groups' in the music press, as bands like Zeppelin were seen as indulgent dinosaurs. Paul Morley, reviewing this gig in the following weeks NME, said it was the most exhilarating concert he had seen that year along with the Undertones. It is still the best concert experience I have had.

[@paulprendergast3184]

Was privileged to see and hear them play this in 1977 at the Silverdome. Pure brilliance!

[@r.guardia9107]

This is the reason Robert Plant refuses to ever have a Led Zeppelin tour. What you’re looking at can never be duplicated today. John Bonham is irreplaceable. Period!

[@anthonyattard6726]

I remember this weekend when they played this concert, l was 18, a dishwasher in a restaurant, on the radio they said Zeppelin was on stage, in England, I had a tear in my eye because I couldn't see my band.

[@twobeer3316]

Zepp did make us feel like they were "our band" didn't they?

[@janko81]

If you want to see JPJ in action - then it all falls down to- How many more times - Denmarks radio 1969... iconic gig,with Plant introducing the band...rest is history

[@smgdroid]

Taking how great they are in the studio as a starting point, and then considering that this is how good they sound LIVE, and their true greatness starts to come into focus.

[@rodrigofleischfresser1458]

One year before the disaster... Bonham at full power, destroying the drums, Jimmy on fire... What a f loss... There will be nothing close to that again in this planet

[@leonbrowder5980]

The debate will never reach an absolute consensus the matrix used would vary BUT for me Led Zeppelin is the greatest rock band ever for me

[@Scoobydcs]

NOBODY could live with liberty zeppelin. Absolute MONSTERS!! There's 8 guitar tracks on the studio version of this and Jimmy does it all anyway lol

[@EvilGoddessMLGH]

The Phenomenal thing is John Bonham and Jimmy Page were both self taught! Greatest musicians in the Greatest band ever!This song was played last in a 3-4 hr set at an 80° concert. 500,000 people attended over 2 nights

[@dan.j.boydzkreationz]

Perhaps check out Them Crooked Vultures "Spinning In Daffodils" live at Hyde Park. JPJ is clearly visible there, if a little older.

[@williamdemerchant7295]

One of, if not the best live rock performance that I've ever seen. It sounds better than the original stufio version. Super tight.🤯

[@danmayberry1185]

6:40 sometimes Jimmy joins the rhythm section and matches Bonham's every strike. No words.

[@johnwalsh9144]

Remember this performance when their critics tell you some of their tougher songs cannot be played live because of Pages 6-8&10 guitar tracks on the studio version. I'd like to see someone cover this song better or with more feeling then this!

[@AleisterCrowley.]

I must have seen this 20-30 times and still I had to replay it. They had something no one else had.

[@ryancarona4199]

Forever one of the best bands to ever play live. Very very influential band

[@henriettaskolnick4445]

I'm so glad you did this reaction! I swear, during parts of Jimmy's solo, it looks like he's peeling strips of his very essence to put that emotion into the guitar. "Achilles" opened the album, Presence. The album with the NY building and windows is called Physical Graffiti. As @emfer3010 said, Jonesy preferred to be out of the spotlight and right next to Bonzo. He said that early on in their touring career Robert used to tell him he should move more up front onstage, and he would try, but he'd always find himself moving back next to the drums again where he preferred to be. Jonesy said he liked his relative anonymity in comparison to Jimmy and Robert because then he could go walking about a city without getting mobbed by fans. He said he'd read where when the Beatles toured, they were shuffled from place to place without ever getting a chance to explore because of the huge crowds of fans and he didn't want the same thing to happen to him. He said the first thing he'd do once he got to the hotel was find the back of the house exits and leave to go walking around. Also, as mentioned, while Jimmy may be up front, working the stage alongside Robert, he would also often drift to the back of the stage so he, JPJ, and Bonzo could feed off each other musically. You'd see him with his back to the audience, sometimes giving verbal cues to Bonzo on how to follow along with him and the three would look like a trio of conspirators, weaving some of the most phenomenally brilliant improvisation ever heard. John's son Jason said that his dad watched Jimmy to follow his playing and JPJ watched John. Even Robert said that sometimes he felt a little left out onstage because the instruments would take over and he'd have nothing to do. Such occasions were partially what would help him with his lyrical improvisation and ad libs onstage. You do get to see Jonesy more in some of the earlier concerts like Danmark, Royal Albert Hall, and Earls Court. Sticking with Knebworth's concert, they do a pretty good version of Whole Lotta Love where they turn the groove inside out a little bit. You might want to listen to the studio version to remind yourself what the recorded version is before listening to how they improvise. The title of it on YT is "Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love Medley - Knebworth 08-11-1979 Part 20" and is what they played for the encore. It runs 10 minutes and 58 seconds.

[@darrylbennett4297]

Holy shit I’m phyched as hell for you guys to see this. JPJ and the 8 string bass gallop through your soul.

[@dannywachowski5880]

I was at that gig aged 17. Now aged 61, it still sounds great and stands the test of time!

[@johnherrera-o7g]

Assassins who show no mercy! That’s who they are.

[@dianelindquist9796]

There really is no better band, ever.

[@bobshaw8319]

Simply put guys .. these 4 beings are not from planet Earth

[@teresakoslosky3053]

I heard John Paul Jones say that when he played he liked to be close to Bonzo he didn’t mind being in the shadows…. You can hear him holding the whole song together!❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@louiefish1991]

Show Jimmy the 🐐 some love!!!

[@henryb160]

They never do. They just don't it.

[@japzbene1562]

When these boys came to play "NO ONE" could touch them! Do a reaction video to No Quarter from The Earls Court show! PEACE LOVE LED ZEPPELIN

[@eliteautoworksmd]

You guys need to hit the live album The Song Remains the Same.....Specifically Whole Lotta love,Dazed and Confused and Since I've been loving you .......

[@randyschwader1202]

What a monumental band.. Every song every album... Fantastic.. Will never be anything like then again.. All 4 kings of there instruments and Robert king of vocals It's like having jordon.. Bird... Koby.. LeBron on the same team.. Who can beat them.. Zep is untouchable.. Masters.. Way ahead of the time.. There music is timeless.. Still bringing in young fans.. As well as old.. Can't get tired of them listening to them since 76 saw them in 77..never does there music get old.. Been my favorite since 76..the kings of my list of favs.. Thank you for reacting to all there music... You guys rock!

[@garymcgovern1423]

You guys seemed stuned.

[@johnhakes20]

Plant…all he’d been through from late ‘75 to ‘79-this airship had a lot of hard, turbulent miles on it-yet he’s still out there as a ROCK GOD!

[@Bluewizard7131]

Other live performances that are incredible include In My Time of Dying and Trampled Underfoot from 1975, and I Can't Quit You from 1970. Sadly, Dazed and Confused and Whole Lotta Love from the 73 MSG concert have been removed from YT, but are two of the greatest performances ever recorded.

[@juliemanarin4127]

Absolutely magnificent performance!!! BONZO!!! In that pocket!!

[@jdbroders64]

JPJ was the magic sauce and was so underrated as a brilliant multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer in later years etc. They were all so amazing in their distinct ways.

[@metaphoria3]

That guitar solo performance was ridiculous especially the end

[@Linda-y9h]

Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy. ❤❤❤

[@MitchGiv]

Ok gotta tell a story back in 76 in my room with friends listening to Led Zeppelin,, my mom comes in saying it’s too loud this group,,,ok next day mom and I are in the car a song comes on,,,my mom says no this is a good group,, I look at my mom and inform her it’s the same group, they have range,,,and just my opinion they r the best group ever,,and the best part ticket prices 15.00 bucks for good seats, ty

[@Minceontoast2]

Wait till these guys see Since Ive been loving you live they will love that one 🤣 Even though plant was at the end of his original voice still sounded good

[@danw2276]

Hey guys, JPJ can't be a hidden gem out front in the open.....Rarely traveled with the band, they where to wild and crazy and went alone his own way. Thanks and happy labor day weekend

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Mind blowing every time.

[@stevewyman6848]

JPJ was and is always the underrated and shy one. Beloved.

[@cazkain]

The greatest of all times!!!

[@steddie4514]

Bonham WOW! 👍🇬🇧

[@DrBoneright]

Great review guys. Bonzo was just a fucking machine gun with cymbals attached on this one. It's epic. We had to wait over 20 years for them to release it! Before this, "The Song Remains The Same" was the only live audio/video Zeppelin!

[@susiedawson3349]

I’ve been a Zep fan since I was 13 yrs old in 1972. Love your reviews of their music. and glad to see their music still being discovered and appreciated by a new generation. Thank you.

[@joescott8877]

So glad you guys chose to screen this, and then dug it like we "knew" you would! JPJ actually preferred the shadows (so HE could "shadow" Bonz, basically--that's how tight a rhythm unit those two were) Kudos to Page/Plant for encouraging him up front more, but he said he liked hangin back. Now, you wanna see EARLY JPJ DANCE with that bass, check out some (1970) Royal Albert Hall concert footage! "Dazed & Confused," especially!

[@williamdemerchant7295]

JPJ was a multi instrument player and oftentimes the bands producer. He was much like the Who's John Entwistle, putting out those incredible bass notes, and hanging back while the other guys took the spotlight.

[@trevpilled]

Yall should do an early performance of theirs when Plant was at his peak

[@sandrastorer5678]

I was at this concert ! Out of this world !!!!!! ❤

[@salmanilla7943]

Check out the David Letterman Zep interview after the Kennedy Honors show, they have JPJ in the first seat and he's funny.

[@joebarrera9741]

The best song off of their album Presence .....sounds awsome live

[@deaniegarcia5694]

Nothing like live Zeppelin! Four very talented guys making some of the best music ever, they are riveting to to watch and a joy to hear! It would have been so fun to have you along back in the day! Great insight into a top notch tune..thanks, fellas!

[@JohnWhite-xc3md]

So glad you found this version! When Zeppelin was "on" they were untouchable live. JPJ's fingers must've been bleeding by the end of this song!

[@rebeccatyrrell-zn6kt]

Che was right first song on presence album but it wasn’t the one with the windows on the cover. It’s the family sat round the table with the black obelisk. Bonham’s drumming on this is unreal, you are so right he’s like a metronome. One of my favs of them live to watch.

[@smith9808]

I knew someone at this concert. He said the metal fences around the perimeter were shaking as it was loud. Ohhhhh just a dream…to have been there 😢 The person I knew then said he hitchhiked home with his friend. They were only 16/17 Said there were so many people break in illegally to see it 😂

[@skippybiscuit275]

Everybody’s highlighted here however Bonhams just crazy amazing!

[@hampyonce]

One of their best sounding live recordings or whatever. Good clarity and separation. Not always the case with Zepp live.

[@cynthiasmith5144]

What can I say but I Love Led ❤

[@dougsmeltzer8522]

Achilles Last Stand is 4 Rock Gods showing off

[@jpq5202]

Its a Live Band, my Friends… 😇🤘🏼

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

Achilles Last Stand is on the Presence album. You're thinking of Physical Graffiti. This is an amazing performance.

[@Ballisticbisquit]

Admit it everyone...this tranfixes YOU😊

[@kingragnarlothbrok4047]

Unbelievable Performance

[@paul1x1]

What a band so freaking good every aspect on point no waste

[@sicotshit7068]

JPJ LIKED being in the background, he was able to move more freely in public than the others. I heard when out touring, he could leave the hotel, & not be as recognizable. Yes this would be a hard one to do live, it’s fast & banging it out non stop.

[@carol-mariefleming8689]

I'm so psyched that you watched this!!! Yes!!!

[@Kram62]

Did anyone catch all the MSG Dazed & Confused sequences on this live version? On the “Oh, oh, oh” section is just a rip off of the “ going to San Francisco” live Dazed! Sooo cool!

[@andrewmason7207]

best live band ever and the album is pesence with the object on it. my fav live song until i change my mind again, cheers guys

[@Gabriel-j1u]

👍👍 LED ZEPPELIN "Hell Yeah "

[@anitapaulus937]

It was on Presence. Such a great album.

[@carol-mariefleming8689]

Opening track on Presence

[@Barry-iv1tl]

I seen Zeppelin in Chicago the night John Bonham did a 20 minute drum solo with his hands people were throwing M.80s off the balcony onto the main floor I was about 15 rows back Center Stage

[@alfredristan3445]

You should view the Song Remains the Same movie. You get a glimpse of each member’s home life before each one of the short vingnettes.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

I suggested this live version for the very reasons you've mentioned. Seeing is amazing. If you're looking to showcase Zep's talent, this video, Song Remains the Same at Knebwoths, and Dazed and Confus3d at Madison Sq Garden. After those three, you'll have no problem understanding why Zep is the greatest band ever.

[@ts925yo]

Check out the no quarter from this concert 8/4/79. Amazing version.

[@spungal]

Was at this gig.great day.

[@ricoalvarado54]

Amazing Band

[@markharbin9945]

Absolutely amazing 😮