Becoming Led Zeppelin: Witnessing the Formative Years of Rock's Titans

Documentary Tracing the Roots of Rock's Legendary Quartet

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"Becoming Led Zeppelin" is a documentary that takes you on a journey through the early days of one of rock's most iconic bands. Directed by Bernard MacMahon, the film offers an intimate look at the formation and rapid ascent of Led Zeppelin, focusing primarily on their first two years together. As a long-time fan, I found this exploration both enlightening and deeply personal.

The documentary embarks on a chronological journey, tracing the individual paths of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham before their fateful convergence in 1968. Jimmy Page's early days as a sought-after session musician are particularly fascinating and illuminating; his work with artists like Shirley Bassey, Donovan, The Who, and The Kinks showcases his versatility and the breadth of his musical influence. John Paul Jones, coming from a showbiz family, also had an extensive session career, contributing to recordings that shaped the sound of the 1960s. Robert Plant and John Bonham, both hailing from the Midlands, had their own musical journeys, playing in various local bands before fate brought them together with Page and Jones.