Studio Vaults

      Led Zeppelin collectors are among the most fortunate when it comes to owning outtakes and rehearsals. Except for The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, no other big group has as many and various behind the scene tapes as Zeppelin. So much of this material has been released that it is possible to trace the entire history of the band, from the first album sessions right through to their last. The first massive collection to be issued was the Antrabata eleven disc set Studio Sessions released more than a decade ago. This set collected every piece of tape known at the time and presented them in a chronological, cohesive order. Despite the knock against it for using inferior sounding tapes, it remains a popular and sought after item. Akashic was going to attempt a comprehensive box set to be called The Final Option. This, however, was scraped and only five discs spread out over three titles, Meet Led Zeppelin, Scorpio Rising and The Smithereens, have been released. Just few years ago the new Scorpio label, with the new release Studio Sessions Ultimate, gives a much needed overhaul of Antrabata. Spread over twelve discs, Scorpio not only includes everything found in the older box set, but also include most of the material that has surfaced in the past decade and use only the best sounding versions of the more familiar tapes. Generally speaking, the following list based on mentioned albums but also on various tapes that were dicovered after as these titles were released. Also I have decided to include some short paragraphs from "Led Zepelin: The Concert Files" (written by Dave Lewis and Simon Pallett, Omnibus Press 2005) and short quotes written by Steve A. Jones to complete the list. The individual dates below will help You to choose the exact date.

 

September - October 1968

AUGUST 12 - RONNIE SCOTT'S JAZZ CLUB BUILDING, 39 GERRADRD STREET, LONDON, ENGLAND (group's first rehearsal) (MONDAY)

AUGUST 00/SEPTEMBER 00 - LANSDOWNE STUDIOS, LONDON, ENGLAND (all four members of Led Zeppelin recording with P. J. Proby) (NONE)

Recording Includes: Merry Hopkins Never Had Days Like These, Jim's Blues/George Wallace Is Rollin' In This Mornin'.
Source: Complete excellent to superb soundboard recordings. 13 minutes.

Official LP Reference(s): Three Week Hero (Liberty)

Bootleg LP Reference(s): The Final Option (Rock Solid Records & The Swingin' Pig Records) & Strange Tales From The Road (Rock Solid Records)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Cabala (Osoz), Olympic Gold (scorpio "old"), & Strange Tales From The Road (no label)

Comments: A very rare and a treat - Led Zeppelin supporting just an average British singer, P. J. Proby during the sessions for his album! Two bluesy numbers played with guts and fresh energy ... but it was before the first album was released! Some sources claimed Plant wasn't involved though. More likely he played harmonica on one track and he also may play percussion on the other. The story goes that John Paul Jones books the other three Led Zeppelin members in on his P. J. Proby session as it was a good way to earn money.

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SEPTEMBER 27 - OLYMPIC SOUND STUDIOS, BARNES, LONDON, ENGLAND (FRIDAY)
According to studio records they recorded under the name The Yardbirds. The final mixes of Babe I'm Gonna Leave You and You Shook Me were later used for Led Zeppelin I album.

Recording Includes: Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (take 1), Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (take 2), You Shook Me [ cut ], Baby Come On Home [AKA Tribute To Bert Berns] (take 1), Baby Come On Home [AKA Tribute To Bert Berns] (take 2), Baby Come On Home [AKA Tribute To Bert Berns] (take 3).
Source: Incomplete excellent soundboard recordings. 21 minutes.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Meet The Led Zeppelin (Akashic Records), Olympic Gold (scorpio "old"), Robert's Last Stand (Red Devil), The Rockpile Canada 2-2-69 (Totonka), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: The first two tracks are full band run through of Babe I'm Gonna Leave You. The final product sounds much more restrained than these two takes, with Plant singing his guts out. You Shook Me is the very first take according to the voice of engineer Glyn Johns. It lasts for almost eight minutes and cuts out at the very end.

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OCTOBER 00 - OLYMPIC SOUND STUDIOS, BARNES, LONDON, ENGLAND (Jimmy Page/John Paul Jones only) (NONE)
Some other sources claims that the second musician was Steve Winwood instead of John Paul Jones.

Recording Includes: Guitar/Organ instrumentals (take 1), Guitar/Organ instrumentals (take 2), Guitar/Organ instrumentals (take 3), Guitar/Organ instrumentals (take 4).
Source: Incomplete excellent soundboard recordings. 37 minutes.
Details: Cuts throughout.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Danish TV And Studio Sessions (Watch Tower 1st and 2nd edition), Olympic Gold (scorpio "old"), Meet The Led Zeppelin (Akashic Records), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: A very interesting jam. Its origin and purpose is a mystery and when they first surfaced it was claimed the organ player was Steve Winwood. The music is very moody and it sounds like Page and John Paul Jones trying to get a handle on Your Time Is Gonna Come.

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OCTOBER 10 - OLYMPIC SOUND STUDIOS, BARNES, LONDON, ENGLAND (THURSDAY)
According to studio records they recorded under the name The Yardbirds. The final version remained unreleased until appearing on the 1993 compilation Boxed Set 2. The track stems from an old master reel labeled "Yardbirds. October 10, 1968". The master tape went missing for a number of years and allegedly turned up in a refuse bin outside Olympic Studios in 1991. It was mixed for a much belated release in 1993, with a single to promote the Boxed Set 2.

Recording Includes: Baby Come On Home [AKA Tribute To Bert Berns] (take 1), Baby Come On Home [AKA Tribute To Bert Berns] (take 2), Baby Come On Home [AKA Tribute To Bert Berns] (take 3).
Source: Incomplete excellent soundboard recording. 8 minutes.

Official CD Reference(s): Led Zeppelin Box Set 2 (Atlantic)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Meet The Led Zeppelin (Akashic Records), Olympic Gold (scorpio "old"), The Rockpile Canada 2-2-69 (Totonka), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: There are three takes of Tribute To Bert Burns, which surfaced in 1993 as Baby Come On Home. A rather rare example of Zeppelin playing in a quite pop style! The song was originally recorded in honor of the American songwriter and producer who had died in December 1967. It is loosely based on two slightly different songs Berns had written and produced for "Hoagy Lands" (1964) and "Solomon Burke" (1965), although the lyrics were completely re-written for Led Zeppelin's version. What's very interesting, on this track Page played a Leslie guitar and Jonesy played piano and a Hammon organ.

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OCTOBER 00 - OLYMPIC SOUND STUDIOS, BARNES, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
According to studio records they recorded under the name The Yardbirds. Final mixing of Led Zeppelin I album. The exact date is unknown but it appeared somewhere after October 19th, 1968 and before October 25th, 1968. Some sources claims that initial sessions were recorded at Abbey Road Studio, St. John's Wood, London, England but could be nothing recorded at this studio though. More likely all sessions took place at Olympic Studios as it was 30 hours Jimmy page paid the studio bill.

 

April - November 1969

APRIL 00 - OLYMPIC SOUND STUDIOS, BARNES, LONDON, ENGLAND (also other tracks were rehearsed) (NONE)

Recording Includes: What Is And What Should Never Be, Whole Lotta Love.
Source: Incomplete excellent soundboard recordings. 8 minutes.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Meet The Led Zeppelin (Akashic Records)

Comments: Suppsoed to be a pirate of Led Zeppelin II tracks so a big care must be given to them before classifying them as a 'real' outtakes.

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APRIL 00 - A&M STUDIOS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (NONE)
MAY 00 - JUGGY SOUND STUDIOS, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (NONE)
MAY 00 - QUANTUM STUDIOS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (NONE)
APRIL 29/MAY 1 - MIRROR SOUND and/or GOLD STAR, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (NONE)
A total of six tracks are recorded by the end of their stint in Los Angeles.
MAY 4 THRU 6 - SUNSET SOUND, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (SUNDAY THRU TUESDAY)
Recording of Whole Lotta Love.

MAY 4 THRU 6 - MIRROR SOUND, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (SUNDAY THRU TUESDAY)
The final mixes of these songs were later used for Led Zeppelin II album.

Recording Includes: The Lemon Song, Moby Dick, drum solo.
Source: Incomplete excellent soundboard recordings. 16 minutes.
Details: Moby Dick is introduction and end only, without drum section.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): 1970 Studio Works (Theramin Music), Meet The Led Zeppelin (Akashic Records), Olympic Gold (scorpio "old"), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: A fine example of how Moby Dick was recorded. Now we know the band just recorded an intro and outro to that song first, then they left Bonham for his drum solo.

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MAY 10 - VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA (SATURDAY)
Laying down harmonica tracks for Bring It On Home (also final recording of the whole song). Also record vocal overdubs.
MAY 30 THRU 31 - A&R STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (FRIDAY THRU SATURDAY)
Recording of Heartbreaker.
MAY 00 - JUGGY SOUND STUDIOS, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (NONE)
Recording of Ramble On.
MAY 19 - A&R STUDIOS (or) JUGGY SOUND STUDIOS (or) MAYFAIR STUDIOS (or) GROOVE STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (MONDAY)
Studio session for Led Zeppelin II. (An eight-track r&b studio.)
MAY 20 thru 22 - A&R STUDIOS (or) JUGGY SOUND STUDIOS (or) MAYFAIR STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (TUESDAY thru THURSDAY)
Studio session for Led Zeppelin II.
MAY 26 - A&R STUDIOS (or) JUGGY SOUND STUDIOS (or) MAYFAIR STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (MONDAY)
Short-notice studio session for Led Zeppelin II in order to catch the fall market.
JUNE 00 - GROOVE STUDIOS, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (NONE)
Recording of What Is And What Should Never Be.
JUNE 00 - MAYFAIR RECORDING STUDIO, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (NONE)
Recording of Moby Dick.
JUNE 00 - HANWELL COMMUNITY CENTRE, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Preparing programme for the forthcoming fourth British Tour, featuring a set that would concentrate primarly on their own material from the Led Zeppelin I album.
JUNE 00 - OLYMPIC SOUND STUDIOS, BARNES, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Recording of Whole Lotta Love and What Is And What Should Never Be.

JUNE 00 - MORGAN STUDIOS, WILLESDON, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Also recording of Thank You.

Recording Includes: Sugar Mama.
Source: Complete excellent soundboard recording. Almost 3 minutes.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Different Mixed Coda (POT), The Lost Sessions Volume 8 ~ Led Zeppelin In The 80's Coda Advance Tapes (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: A very rare cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's tune. This was intended possibly for the second album. It is a bouncy, catchy pop number and is obvious why it has never been issued by the band in any form.

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JUNE 25 - MORGAN STUDIOS, WILLESDON, LONDON, ENGLAND (WEDNESDAY)
Also recording of Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman). We're Gonna Groove was later mixed at The Sol Studio, Cookham, Berkshire, England and released on Coda album in 1982.

Recording Includes: We're Gonna Groove.
Source: Complete excellent soundboard recording. Almost 3 minutes.

Official LP Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Official CD Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Different Mixed Coda (POT), The Lost Sessions Volume 8 ~ Led Zeppelin In The 80's Coda Advance Tapes (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), & Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master)

Comments: The band cut the studio take of Ben E. King/James Bethea's song for possible inclusion on the second album. Although it was not used on the Led Zeppelin II, this track remained as a set opener for their early 1970 shows.

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AUGUST 00 - LOS ANGELES (NONE)
Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones Jones (?) spend a few days in studio with Lord Sutch to record songs on his album "Lord Sutch & Heavy Friends".
AUGUST 12 - A&R STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (TUESDAY)
Jimmy Page and Eddie Kramer complete the mixing of Bring It On Home and playback Living Loving Maid, Heartbreaker and What Is And What Should Never Be.

AUGUST 00 - A&R STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (NONE)
There are rumours about in-studio film footage of the band laying down mixes. A short excerpt of this video exists.

Recording Includes: Whole Lotta Love (drum take with headphone bleed) [ cut ], Heartbreaker (guitar solo with room mic running) [ cut ], Heartbreaker (solo with rhythm section and vocals) [ cut ], Ramble On (drums and some guitar and bass bled up) [ cut ]
Source: Incomplete excellent soundboard recordings. 4 minutes.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Early Ramshackle Days (Beelzebub Records CD-R) & The Lost Sessions Volume 2 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc)

Comments: An extremely rare example of how the band working in the studio! Complete LZ II outtakes supposed to be exists but still not released as a definitive.

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AUGUST 5 - MYSTIC SOUND STUDIOS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (TUESDAY)
Recording of The Lemon Song and Bring It On Home.
AUGUST 29 THRU 30 - A&R STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (FRIDAY THRU SATURDAY)
Final mixing of Led Zeppelin II album.

NOVEMBER 00 - OLYMPIC SOUND STUDIOS, BARNES, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)

Recording Includes: Jennings Farm Blues (take 1), Jennings Farm Blues (take 2), Jennings Farm Blues (take 3), Jennings Farm Blues (take 4), Jennings Farm Blues (take 5), Jennings Farm Blues (take 6), Jennings Farm Blues (take 7), Jennings Farm Blues (take 8), Jennings Farm Blues (take 9), Jennings Farm Blues (take 10), Jennings Farm Blues (take 11).
Source: Incomplete superb soundboard recordings. 25 minutes.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): 1970 Studio Works (Theramin Music), Jennings Farm Blues (scorpio "old"), The Lost Sessions Volume 6 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Scorpio Rising (Akashic), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: Led Zeppelin's manager Peter Grant at the time was quoted in the music press that the band have "written a special number which they intended as their first British single which they will be recording next week" for a January, 1970 release to coincide with their appearance at the Royal Albert Hall. This would have been their first single but this, along with several throughout their career, was scrapped and England wouldn't have a single from Led Zeppelin until 1997's "Whole Lotta Love". What more interesting, the song was re-arranged in the early 1970 and was re-named as Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp.

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April - December 1970

00 - UNKNOWN LOCATION (NONE)
Possibly this comes from between May and June 1970 Headley Grange Studios, Hampshire, England recording sessions.

Recording Includes: Celebration Day, Hey Hey What Can I Do?, Out On The Tiles.
Source: Incomplete excellent soundboard recordings. 12 minutes.
Details: All are pre vocal mixes.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): The Alternative Led Zeppelin III (The Swingin' Pig Records)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): The Lost Mixes EP Volume 3 ~ Led Zeppelin 1970-1971 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Outside The Door (Beelzebub Records CD-R), & The Smithereens (Akashic, 3CD)

Comments: All three songs sounds similar to their album versions. The only difference is all are pre-vocal mixes.

Led Zeppelin Database email update

APRIL 00/MAY 00 - BRON-YR-AUR COTTAGE, MACHYNLLETH GWYNEDD, WALES (Robert Plant/Jimmy Page only) (NONE)

Recording Includes: Friends.
Source: Complete good to very good cassette demo recording. 3 minutes.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): 1970 Studio Works (Theramin Music), Led Zeppelin III (Tarantura), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: An early attempt to that song, with Bonzo playing on congas. This version was later used on Spring Bron-Yr-Aur sessions.

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APRIL 00/MAY 00 - BRON-YR-AUR COTTAGE, MACHYNLLETH GWYNEDD, WALES (acoustic) (Robert Plant/Jimmy Page only) (NONE)

Recording Includes: I Wanna Be Her Man, Down By The Seaside instrumental (takes 1 thru 9), Over The Hills And Far Away instrumental (take 1), Down By The Seaside instrumental (take 9), Guitar Instrumental (takes 1 thru 8), Over The Hills And Far Away instrumental (take 2), Gallows Pole instrumental (takes 1 thru 3), Guitar Instrumental (take 9), Down By The Seaside instrumental and with initial vocals (takes 10 thru 12), Unknown Song, Guitar Instrumental (proto-Crunge) (take 1), Guitar Instrumental (takes 10 thru 12), Guitar Instrumental (proto-Crunge) (take 2) [ 43:14 - edit/cut ].
Source: Incomplete excellent cassette demo recordings. 43 minutes.
Details: The tape is excellent balanced professional demo recording. Some tape hiss is available. Many songs are in fact a short excerpts/medleys, severely cut and sometimes rather hard to determine. Most of arangements varies much from their later studio versions.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): The Alternative Led Zeppelin III (The Swingin' Pig Records), Best Of Led Zeppelin Vol. 1 (Rock Solid Records), The Final Option (Rock Solid Records & The Swingin' Pig Records), Led Zeppelin Film Can (Rock Solid Records), Led Zeppelin III Studio Rehearsals May 1970 (RL Records), More Inedits (MLZ), Studio Rehearsals May 1970 (Rock Live), Studio Rehearsals 1967-1971 Part 1 (Grasshopper), & III To Get Ready (Early Times)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): 1970 Studio Works (Theramin Music), Another Way To Wales (Black Swan), Led Zeppelin III (Tarantura), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new"), Tribute To Johnny Kidd And The Pirates (scorpio "old"), Ultra Rare Tracks Volume 1 (Missing Link), & Ultra Rare Trax Part 2 (Savage Beast Music)

Comments: A wonderful piece of history here; these are the sketches for Led Zeppelin III and besides that, are some great examples of Jimmy's acoustic guitar style. The instrumentals are haunting and contain snippets of other songs, including Over The Hills And Far Away and Down By The Seaside, and Gallows Pole as well as Crosby Stills Nash's Suite: Judy Blue Eyes interpretation! has nearly the same arrangement it had when it was recorded and eventually released on Coda, except Robert hums the melody.

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MAY 6 - MORGAN STUDIOS, WILLESDON, LONDON, ENGLAND (WEDNESDAY)
Take 2 was later mixed at The Sol Studio, Cookham, Berkshire, England and released on Coda album in 1982.

Recording Includes: Poor Tom (take 1), Poor Tom (take 2), Poor Tom (take 3).
Source: Complete poor soundboard recordings. 9 minutes.
Details: Take 1 - without vocals, take 2 - with vocals - album mix, take 3 - album mix with longer ending (mixing error?).

Official LP Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Official CD Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Different Mixed Coda (POT), The Lost Sessions Volume 8 ~ Led Zeppelin In The 80's Coda Advance Tapes (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: Another example of Zeppelin preparing studio material. In fact, this is group's own interpretation of Robert Wilkins' Prodigal Son number. Three different takes, from which the one was later used on Coda album in 1982.

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MAY 00/JUNE 00 - HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)
Near this date the following songs were recorded: Immigrant Song (another version), Friends, Celebration Day, Since I've Been Loving You, Gallows Pole, and Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp. The final mixes of these songs were lated used for Led Zeppelin III album. Some of the songs were initially known under their working titles: Out On The Tiles [AKA Bathroom Song], Friends [AKA My Oh My], That's The Way [AKA The Boy Next Door].

Recording Includes: Guitar Instrumental (take 1) [ 2:14 - cut ], [ cut ], Guitar Instrumental (take 2) [ 2:06 ], [ cut ], Poor Tom (with pre-vocals line) (take 1) [ 3:36 - cut ], [ cut ], Instrumental (take 3) [ 2:01 - cut ], [ cut ], Instrumental (take 4) [ 1:19 ], [ cut ], That's The Way (take 1) [ 2:44 - cut ], [ cut ], That's The Way (take 2) [ 1:34 - cut ], [ cut ], That's The Way (take 3) [ 0:24 - cut ], [ cut ], That's The Way (take 4) [ 0:35 ], [ cut ], That's The Way (take 5) [ 3:33 - cut ], [ cut ], Friends (with pre-vocals line) (take 1) [ 1:00 - cut ], [ cut ], Bron-Yr-Aur (take 1) [ 2:23 ], [ cut ], Bron-Yr-Aur (take 2) [ 1:02 ], [ cut ], Instrumental (take 5) [ 5:12 - cut ], [ cut ], Instrumental (take 6) [ 0:28 - cut ], [ cut ], Instrumental (take 7) [ 1:23 - cut ], [ cut ], Bron-Yr-Aur (take 3) [ 0:54 - cut ], [ edit/cut ], Friends (with pre-vocals line) (take 2) [ 3:00 - cut ], [ cut ], Bron-Yr-Aur (take 4) [ 0:43 - cut ], [ cut ], Poor Tom (take 2) [ 0:09 - cut ], [ cut ], Poor Tom (take 3) [ 0:08 - cut ], [ cut ], Poor Tom (take 4) [ 0:16 - cut ], [ cut ], Poor Tom (take 5) [ 0:09 - cut ], [ cut ], Poor Tom (take 6) [ 2:32 - edit/cut ], [ cut ], Hey Hey What Can I Do? (take 1), [ 1:35 - cut ], Hey Hey What Can I Do? (take 2) [ 0:09 - cut ], [ cut ], Immigrant Song (with pre-vocals line) [ 2:34 ], [ cut ], Out On The Tiles (with pre-vocals line) [ 2:55 - cut ].
Source: Incomplete excellent cassette demo recordings. 49 minutes.
Details: The tape is excellent balanced professional demo recording. Some serious tape hiss is available. The arrangements are almost the same or similar to their studio versions.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): The Alternate Led Zeppelin III (The Swingin' Pig Records) & Hiawatha Express (Stash) & The Making Of Friends (III)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): 1970 Studio Works (Theramin Music), Another Way To Wales (Black Swan), Cabala (Osoz), Hiawatha Express (Toasted/Condor), Led Zeppelin III (Tarantura), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), Stairway Sessions (Silver Rarities), Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new"), Tribute To Johnny Kidd And The Pirates (scorpio "old"), & Ultra Rare Trax Part 2 (Savage Beast Music)

Comments: The versions of Friends, Poor Tom, Bron-Yr-Aur and Hey Hey What Can I Do? sound like they date from the Bron-Yr-Aur cottage since it contains only Page and Plant playing guitar and bongos. Immigrant Song and Out On The Tiles, are full band rehearsals and bootlegs have always attributed them to the third album rehearsals in Headley Grange. Afterwards they convened in Olympic Studio to record Friends and Poor Tom and afterwards continued rehearsals in Headley Grange. It is difficult to determine which set of rehearsals those two tracks date from, but if indeed all six tracks come from the same rehearsal then they were recorded at Plant's farm. The two full band electric rehearsals are fascinating to hear as the band work on them. Immigrant Song contains the famous screeching and inaudible lyrics different from the Viking saga the song developed into. The final studio version doesn't have a guitar solo, but the rehearsal has one that is short and primitive. Out On The Tiles, John Bonham's song, has the basic melody and only the chorus present ("all I need from you/is all your love").

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MAY 00/JUNE 00 - OLYMPIC SOUND STUDIOS, BARNES, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Near this date another version of Out On The Tiles was recorded and later used for Led Zeppelin III album.

Recording Includes: That's The Way, Feel So Bad (<< Fixin' To Die, That's Alright Mama..), Since I've Been Loving You [ cut ], Since I've Been Loving You (vocal track only).
Source: Incomplete superb soundboard recordings. 23 minutes.
Details: Some sources reported that these sessions were recorded in Studio One in Island Studios, London and were concluded in August same year.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): The Alternative Led Zeppelin III (The Swingin' Pig Records) & Studio Daze (scorpio "old")

Bootleg CD Reference(s): 1970 Studio Works (Theramin Music), Cabala (Osoz), Led Zeppelin III (Tarantura), Live On Tour With Led Zeppelin Volume 1 (Beelzebub Records CD-R), The Lost Sessions Volume 6 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Scorpio Rising (Akashic), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), Studio Daze (scorpio "old"), Studio Daze Revisited (scorpio "old"), Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new"), & Ultra Rare Trax Part 2 (Savage Beast Music)

Comments: That's The Way sounds identical to the final version. Feel So Bad is a medley of blues hits played by Page on a nervous sounding slide guitar and is part of the sessions for Hats Off For (Roy) Harper which closes the third album. Since I've Been Loving You is the take used for the final product with the addition of Plant screaming during the solo. This is followed by the three-minute vocal take of Since I've Been Loving You of which many collectors question its authenticity.

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JULY 00 - ISLAND STUDIOS, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Recording of Tangerine, That's The Way (another version) and Hats Off To (Roy) Harper. Another version of Bron-Yr-Aur was later used for Physical Graffiti album.
AUGUST 00 - ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (NONE)
Final mixing of Gallows Pole.
AUGUST 18 (or) 19 - ARDENT STUDIOS, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE (TUESDAY)
Jimmy Page completes additional mixing of Led Zeppelin III with engineer Terry Manning.
AUGUST 00 - STUDIO ONE, ISLAND STUDIOS, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Final mixing of Led Zeppelin III.
OCTOBER 00 THRU DECEMBER 00 - BRON-YR-AUR COTTAGE, MACHYNLLETH GWYNEDD, WALES (NONE)
OCTOBER 00 THRU DECEMBER 00 - ISLAND STUDIOS, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
DECEMBER 00 - ROLLING STONES MOBILE STUDIO, HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)
Led Zeppelin return to begin work on their fourth album but fail to achieve results. Recording of Black Dog, Rock And Roll, The Battle Of Evermore (w/Sandy Denny on backing vocals), Misty Mountain Hop, Going To California, and When The Levee Breaks. These mixes were possibly later used for Led Zeppelin IV album. Also on these sessions Night Flight and Boogie With Stu (w/Ian Stewart on piano) were recorded and later used for Physical Graffiti album. Jimmy Page visits upstairs studio as Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre performs the second take of Aqualung from their upcoming "Aqualung" album.

 

January - October 1971

JANUARY 00 - ROLLING STONES MOBILE STUDIO, HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)
Recording of Black Dog, Rock And Roll, The Battle Of Evermore (w/Sandy Denny on backing vocals), Misty Mountain Hop, Going To California, and When The Levee Breaks. Possibly these sessions took place between January and February 1971 but not confirmed. These mixes were later used for Led Zeppelin IV album. Also on these sessions Night Flight and Boogie With Stu (w/Ian Stewart on piano) were recorded and later used for Physical Graffiti album.

00 - JIMMY PAGE'S HOME STUDIO, SOMEWHERE IN U.K. (Jimmy Page solo) (NONE)
These takes could took place at Headley Grange Studios, Hampshire, England on Nov. '73 by Jimmy Page working on Lucifer Rising soundtrack but not confirmed.

Recording Includes: Guitar Instrumentals (<< Hots On For Nowhere, The Rain Song..) (guitar and piano instrumental)
Source: Incomplete very good cassette demo recordings. 45 minutes.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): In Through The Outtakes (White Box & Widget Recordworks)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): 1970 Studio Works (Theramin Music), Brutal Artistry (Midas Touch & Scorpio "fake"), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: This is a real mystery. It consists of Page working out melodies on the acoustic guitar. Many of the melodies introduced on the guitar are then played on piano. The piano playing is very good and causes questions as to whether or not it is Page playing or someone else. There is no further evidence on tape that he even plays the instrument. Nevertheless some of the melodies are recognizable including the fast break found in 1976's Hots On For Nowhere and an embryonic version of The Rain Song.

Led Zeppelin Database email update

JANURY 00/FEBRUARY 00 - HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)
Possibly this comes from bewteen December 1970 and January 1971 Headley Grange Studios, Hampshire, England or February 1971 Island Studios, London, England studio sessions but not confirmed.

Recording Includes: Four Sticks (with Bonham chat & drum intro), Black Dog (alternate mix with count-in), When The Levee Breaks (alternate mix with no drum intro), Four Sticks (pre-vocal mix), When The Levee Breaks.
Source: Incomplete superb soundboard recordings. 30 minutes.
Details: The 1st version of Four Sticks, Black Dog and the 2nd version of When The Levee Breaks are outtakes.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): All That Glitters Is Gold (Celebration Definitive Masters), Control Monitor Mixes EP (Watch Tower), The Lost Mixes EP Volume 1 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), The Lost Mixes EP Volume 3 ~ Led Zeppelin 1970-1971 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Outside The Door (Beelzebub Records CD-R), Salt Lake City 1973 (Scorpio "fake"), The Smithereens (Akashic, 3CD), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: The variations of the final tracks that was released on the fourth album. These are pristine quality versions of the official releases with some minor variations in the mix. When The Levee Breaks begins with inaudible studio chatter and the opening drums are missing, beginning with the first verse. Absent also is the second verse and some guitar overdubs. The bass and drums are louder than the final mix. Four Sticks begins with Bonham playing the rhythm on drums, stopping and speaking about the sound being "African" before the tune begins again. This does sound slightly clearer than the final version. Black Dog begins with the same guitar tune-ups but there is a Bonham count-in before the vocals begin. Bonham's time keeping on the sticks is louder and the ending of the song contains a solo that was omitted from the final version before the fade.

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JANUARY 00/FEBRUARY 00 - HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)

Recording Includes: Stairway To Heaven instrumental (take 1) [ 3:43 - cut ], [ cut ], Blues guitar improvisation [ 4:09 - cut ], [ cut ], Black Dog acoustic intrumental (take 1) [ 1:20 ], [ cut ], Black Dog acoustic instrumental (take 2) [ 0:20 ], [ cut ], drum clip [ 0:02 - edit/cut], [ cut ], Black Dog electric (several takes) [ 6:41 - edit/cut ], [ edit/cut ], No Quarter [ 3:56 - cut ], [ edit/cut ], Stairway To Heaven instrumental (take 2) [ 2:06 ], [ edit/cut ], Stairway To Heaven instrumental (take 3) [ 1:29 - cut ], [ cut ], Stairway To Heaven instrumental (take 4) [ 2:51 ], [ edit/cut ], Electric guitar improvisation [ 0:59 - edit/cut ], [ cut ], Stairway To Heaven with vocals (take 1) [ 6:01 - cut ], [ cut ], Stairway To Heaven with vocal (take 2) [ 7:48 ].
Source: Incomplete excellent cassette demo recordings. 42 minutes.
Details: The tape is excellent balanced professional demo recording. Some rather minor tape hiss is available.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): And IV To Go (Ugly Duckling), Inedits (LZ 1-2), Led Zeppelin IV Studio Rehearsals January 1971 (RL Records), Studio Rehearsals January 1971 (Rock Live), & Studio Rehearsals 1967-1971 Part 1&2 (Grasshopper)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): All That Glitters Is Gold (Celebration Definitive Masters), The Lost Sessions Volume 9 (Eelgrass), The Lost Sessions Volume 9 ~ All Roads Lead To Headley Grange 1 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master & The Diagrams Of Led Zeppelin), Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new"), Ultra Rare Tracks Volume 1 (Missing Link), & Ultra Rare Trax Part 2 (Savage Beast Music)

Comments: The outtakes form the fourth album, these are essential. Especially in hearing the development of Stairway To Heaven from its shy acoustic beginnings to its masterpiece conclusion. The first take of Stairway To Heaven and the following three instrumental tapes feature Page on guitar and Jones on electric piano. Stairway To Heaven is a three and a half instrumental run-through of the opening theme played at normal speed, faster, and then returning to normal. The following jam features Jones playing a happy theme on the keyboard and Page accompanying him with a bouncy, catchy melody. Black Dog rehearsals are sounds as if they was recorded on a two-track, sounding heavy with the echo. Black Dog at this stage has yet to be fully worked out and Plant is improvising lyrics on the spot (something he would continue to do on stage for many years, come to think of it). By the third take, the band are clearly having difficulty mastering the difficult riff until Jones shouts out instructions and leads the band on the bass guitar. Page, followed by Bonham hit into a groove with Bonham shouting, "Yes!". The final take is a very confident delivery. No Quarter is the earliest reference to the Houses Of The Holy song, three years before its official release. Even in this primitive state the basic melody and structure of the song is present although it is a bit too up-tempo. Plant scats vocals and Page plays a solo before the tape runs out. The next couple of tracks come again from the Stairway To Heaven sessions. The first four rehearsals feature Page and Jones again working on the breaks and tempos of the piece. The final two Stairway To Heaven tracks are joined by Plant adding vocals to the rehearsals and Jones adding recorders at the beginning, bring the song closer to the final, recognizable version.

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JANUARY 00/FEBRUARY 00 - JIMMY PAGE'S HOME STUDIO, SOMEWHERE IN U.K./HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)

Recording Includes: The Battle Of Evermore, Night Flight.
Source: Incomplete superb soundboard recordings. 25 minutes.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): The Lost Sessions Volume 8 ~ Led Zeppelin In The 80's Coda Advance Tapes (Empress Valley Supreme Disc)

Comments: The Battle Of Evermore contains the final instrumental track and has Plant singing lyrics, with some variations from the final version, without Sandy Denny's contribution.

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FEBRUARY 00 - ISLAND STUDIOS, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Recording of Stairway To Heaven and Four Sticks. Down By The Seaside was also recorded and later used for Physical Graffiti album. Another track from Physical Graffiti album, Night Flight, was overdubbed during these sessions.
FEBRUARY 00 - ISLAND STUDIOS, LONDON, ENGLAND/OLYMPIC SOUND STUDIOS, BARNES, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Final mixing of Led Zeppelin IV by Andy John, later deleted.
OCTOBER 00 - SUNSET SOUND, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (NONE)
Final mixing of Led Zeppelin IV by Glyn Johns, with all the instruments properly balanced.

 

January - October 1972

JANUARY 00 - JIMMY PAGE'S HOME STUDIO, SOMEWHERE IN U.K. (Jimmy Page solo) (NONE)

Recording Includes: Acoustic instrumental (<< The Rain Song..).
Source: Incomplete good to very good cassette demo recording. (Need length.)

Bootleg CD Reference(s):

Comments: Another example of preparing material for Houses Of The Holy album. The basic structure of The Rain Song can be found here throwed in during guitar exercises.

Led Zeppelin Database email update

MARCH 00 - EMI STUDIOS, BOMBAY, INDIA (Robert Plant/Jimmy Page with Bombay Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vijay Ragav Rao) (NONE)

Recording Includes: Friends (take 1), Friends (take 2), Friends (take 3), Friends (take 4), Friends (take 5), Friends (take 6), Friends (take 7), friends (take 8), Friends (take 9), Four Sticks (take 1), Friends (take 10), Friends (take 11), Four Sticks (take 2), Four Sticks (take 3).
Source: Incomplete excellent soundboard recordings. 52 minutes.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): The Making of Friends (III)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): All That Glitters Is Gold (Celebration Definitive Masters), Cabala (Osoz), Complete 1972 Bombay Sessions (Tecumseh), The Lost Sessions Volume 2 - Led Zeppelin In India (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master & The Diagrams Of Led Zeppelin), The Smithereens (Akashic, 3CD), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: Page and Plant recruited famous Indian musician Vijay Ragav Rao to assemble an ad hoc orchestra comprised of both western and Indian instruments. What can be clearly heard are both Jimmy Page and Robert Plant speaking to Rao, and Rao translating their instructions to the musicians. The orchestra tries their best but the different takes reveal missed cues and misunderstandings. This is the first time they tried to interpret their musical ideas to anyone other than members of the band and they have difficulty in explaining what they want. Rehearsals exist only for Friends, as well as a very good final take with vocals. For Four Sticks, the other eastern inspired tune they practice, only more polished takes without vocals exist.

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APRIL 00/MAY 00 - ROLLING STONES MOBILE STUDIO, STARGROVES, NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND/ISLAND STUDIOS, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
The songs listed below all are original mixes later used for Houses Of The Holy and Physical Graffiti albums. There are also early mix reel-to-reel tapes from these sessions. One of them, 7-inch reel of complete mixed Houses Of The Holy album, was soled out at the auction by Eddie Kramer in 2004. Over The Hills And Far Away was titled Many, Many Times. And although there is no bootleg tape with these recordings it may be possible that in near future these tapes will be surfaced as well.

Recording Includes: D'yer Mak'er (take 1) (album mix), Black Country Woman (album mix), The Ocean (album mix with vocals distant), The Rain Song (take 1) (album mix with vocal distant), Walter's Walk (album mix with vocals distant), The Rover (take 1) (album mix with vocals distant), The Song Remains The Same (take 1), Houses Of The Holy (take 1) (album mix), D'yer Mak'er (take 2) (album mix), Houses Of The Holy (take 2) (album mix), The Rain Song (take 2) (album mix), The Rover (take 2) (album mix), The Song Remains The Same (take 2) (album mix), Over The Hills And Far Away (album mix with vocals distant), Dancing Days (album mix with vocals distant), No Quarter (album mix with vocals distant), The Crunge (album mix with vocals distant).
Source: Incomplete superb soundboard recordings. 82 minutes.
Details: Walter's Walk runs fast. The Song Remains The Same (take 1) is an outtake.

Official LP Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song), Houses Of The Holy (Atlantic), & Physical Graffiti (Swan Song)

Official CD Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song), Houses Of The Holy (Atlantic), & Physical Graffiti (Swan Song)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): The Smithereens (Akashic, 3CD)

Comments: This is what's remainded from the sessions for Houses Of The Holy album. All mixes presented on this tape are the versions used on the album. Some are album mixes while other are almost finished takes with vocal distant.

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MAY 00 - OLYMPIC SOUND STUDIOS, BARNES, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Final mixing of The Song Remains The Same and The Rain Song. No Quarter was also mixed.
MAY 5 - WIGAN, U.K. (FRIDAY)
MAY 6 - WIGAN, U.K. (SATURDAY)
MAY 7 - WIGAN, U.K. (SUNDAY)

MAY 15 - ROLLING STONES MOBILE STUDIO, STARGROVES, NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND/ISLAND STUDIOS, LONDON, ENGLAND (MONDAY)
One of vocal takes was later mixed at The Sol Studios, Cookham, Berkshire, England and released on Coda album in 1982.

Recording Includes: Walter's Walk (take 1), Walter's Walk (take 2), Walter's Walk (take 3).
Source: Complete superb soundboard recordings. 14 minutes.
Details: Take 1 - without vocals, take 2 & 3 - album mixes, with vocals.

Official LP Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Official CD Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): 1970 Studio Works (Theramin Music), Different Mixed Coda (POT), The Lost Sessions Volume 8 ~ Led Zeppelin In The 80's Coda Advance Tapes (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), Studio Daze (scorpio "old"), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: Walter's Walk was the instrumental track recorded during the rehearsals and recording of Houses Of The Holy. Plant recorded vocals at that time for Coda and this represents his final recorded vocal performance as a member of Led Zeppelin.

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JUNE 00 - ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (NONE)
This is one of the final mixing sessions where the band prepared tracks for Houses Of The Holy album. Near this date the following tracks were also mixed: Over The Hills And Far Away, The Crunge, Dancing Days, D'yer Mak'er, and The Ocean. Houses Of The Holy was another song mixed during these sessions and later used for Physical Graffiti album.

Recording Includes: No Quarter (take 1), No Quarter (take 2), No Quarter (take 3).
Source: Complete superb soundboard recordings. 25 minutes.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): Studio Daze (scorpio "old")

Bootleg CD Reference(s): 1970 Studio Works (Theramin Music), Cabala (Osoz), The Lost Sessions Volume 6 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), Scorpio Rising (Akashic), Studio Daze (scorpio "old"), Studio Daze Revisited (scorpio "old"), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: The first No Quarter opens with Bonham banging the sticks before Jones begins the familiar cold organ intro. This is a complete seven and a half minute run-through without vocals or guitar solo, but with the same timbre of the official version. The second take is thirty seconds and is aborted by Jones with a giggle. This is followed by another attempt stopped after twenty seconds since Jones hits a bum note. This is followed by the second full run-through, lasting eight minutes. Again no vocals, guitar solo or grand piano is present, but Jones and Bonham change the rhythm during the solo. After two more aborted takes, with Jones hitting a really nasty note, we are rewarded with the final take of the song. This one is complete with vocals, guitar solo, and grand piano flourishes in the solo. There are also additional effects and guitars by Page and some Plant moans that were eventually cut out of the final release.

Led Zeppelin Database email update

JUNE 00 - UNKNOWN LOCATION (NONE)
Most likely Electric Lady Studios, New York City, New York, New York. Mixing of the material recorded in May at Olympic Studio and Houses Of The Holy is recorded.
JUNE 26 - RECORD PLANT, LOS ANGELES (MONDAY)
The whole band allegedly dropped in on Black Sabbath to check on the progress of their fourth album and jammed on their new song "Supernaut" (unrecorded). It is also reported Led Zeppelin jammed with Black Sabbath several times during the whole career but exact dates are not known yet.
OCTOBER 00 - RAINBOW THEATRE, FINSBURY PARK, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Preparing programme for the band's Eighth U.K. Tour.

 

January - November 1973

JANUARY 21 - GAUMONT THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND (with Robert Plant playing on drums occasionally) (SUNDAY)

Recording Includes: Drums & Mellotron Tuning, Love Me, Frankfurt Special [AKA Station Blues], King Creole, Love Me (reprise).
Source: Incomplete excellent soundboard recording. 7 minutes.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): Hiawatha Express (Stash)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): British Story (Wendy Records), Burn Like A Candle (Tarantura2000), Check It Out (Theramin Music), The Great Lost Live Album (Nasty Music), Hiawatha Express (Toasted/Condor), Hot Sticks In Stoke (Beelzebub Records CD-R), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: It begins with Bonham cursing at a roadie before Bonham, Jones and Plant (no Page) bang out some Elvis hits. Love Me and King Creole are two songs that were never played in any medley so it's good to have these. Between the songs boys are joking a lot and it's very funny to hear the whole band so relaxed and happy.

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APRIL 00 - OLD STREET FILM STUDIOS, LONDON, ENGLAND/SHEPPERTON STUDIOS, SHEPPERTON, ENGLAND (NONE)
The band rehearsing a new stage and lighting act for the forthcoming Ninth U.S. Tour. Also preparing some new live arrangements such as No Quarter and Misty Mountain Hop.

MAY 3 - UNKNOWN LOCATION (THURSDAY)
Very possibly that this soundcheck could took place on May 4, 1973 at the Braves Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia.

Recording Includes: Sugar Baby [AKA Strawberry Jam] (take 1) [ 3:00 - cut ], [ cut ], Sugar Baby [AKA Strawberry Jam] (take 2) [ 0:09 - cut ], Sugar Baby [AKA Strawberry Jam} (take 3) [ 1:16 ], The Wanton Song (take 1) [ 0:14 ], The Wanton Song (take 2) [ 0:53 ], The Rover (take 1) [ 4:33 ], The Rover (take 2) [ 1:03 ], The Rover (take 3) [ 0:27 ], [ cut ], Night Flight (take 1) [ 0:37 - cut ], Night Flight (take 2) [ 0:25 ], Night Flight (take 3) [ 0:19 ], Night Flight (take 4) [ 0:12 ], Night Flight (take 5) [ 1:03 ], Night Flight (take 6) [ 2:29 ], Hail Hail Rock 'N' Roll [ 2:33 ], Nadine [ 0:59 ], Round And Round [ 2:33 ], Move On Down The Line [ 1:27 ], Love Me Like A Hurricane [ 2:25 ], Move It (C'mon Pretty Baby) [ 1:13 ], Dynamite [ 0:25 ], Shakin' All Over [ 2:32 ], Hungry For Love [ 1:32 ], I'll Never Get Over You [ 1:52 ], Reelin' And Rockin' [ 1:28 ], Surrender [ 0:27 ], drumming and organ [ cut ].
Source: Incomplete excellent soundboard soundcheck recording. 58 minutes.
Details: The tape is excellent balanced professional recording from the desk. Some tape hiss available.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): Get The Boogie (Whispering Souls Authentic Vinyl Records)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): The Atrocity Exhibition (scorpio "new"), Cabala (Osoz), Check It Out (Theramin Music), The Lost Sessions Volume 5 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Magical Mystery Tape (Tarantura), Round And Round (Ghost Music), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), The Smithereens (Akashic, 3CD & 1CD), Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new"), Tribute To Johnny Kidd And The Pirates (scorpio "old"), & Zoso's Back To Rock And Roll (Oh Boy)

Comments: The exact venue from the 1973 tour is not known but what a great piece this is! Robert sounds wonderful on the 50's oldies, as does the whole band, and many songs that would see much later release, such as Night Flight, The Rover, and The Wanton Song, are being worked on here. Sugar Baby is an awesome funky workout with Robert singing the melody. Shakin' All Over is markedly different from The Who's definitive version and is effective. A great snapshot of a band developing new music and having fun with the old!

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OCTOBER 17 - HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (WEDNESDAY)
Possibly the tapes are in the hands of the group if were not wiped. Approach any tapes or LPs/CDs that claim to be this date with caution.

Recording Includes: Baby I Don't Care (take 1), Baby I Don't Care (take 2), Jailhouse Rock (take 1), Jailhouse Rock (take 2), One Night, Don't Be Cruel (take 1), Don't Be Cruel (take 2), The Girl Of My Best Friend, Jailhouse Rock (take 3), Jailhouse Rock (take 4), Jailhouse Rock (take 5), Money Honey (take 1), Money Honey (take 2), Summertime Blues.
Source: Incomplete excellent soundboard recording. (Need length.)

Bootleg CD Reference(s):

Comments: Still not released anywhere and possibly wiped but the track listing is very promising and telling us that the band rehearsed heavily on 50's classics as well.

Led Zeppelin Database email update

OCTOBER 00/NOVEMBER 00 - BOLESKINE HOUSE, LOCH NESS, SCOTLAND (Jimmy Page solo) (NONE)

Recording Includes: Lucifer Rising, The Light Bearer, Outtakes.
Source: Incomplete excellent soundboard recordings. 28 minutes.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): Lucifer Rising (Boleskine House Records ) & Solo Performances (RPJP)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Brutal Artistry II (Midas Touch), Cabala (Osoz), Inducted And Possessed (Beelzebub Records CD-R), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: The many and various Lucifer Rising titles all contain the soundtrack used for the final cut of Kenneth Anger's film recorded by Bobby Beausoleil And The Freedom Orchestra. The three tracks consist of violin bow on guitar exercises and Page finding the right harmonics to produce an unsettling effect. The tape dates from late 1973 but the location of recording, although always attributed to Boleskine House, is still speculative.

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OCTOBER 00/NOVEMBER 00 - HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)
Working on new compositions, including Trampled Underfoot, Kashmir, In The Light, and Swan Song. Recording sessions are cut short on account of Jones becoming ill.
OCTOBER 00/NOVEMBER 00 - HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)
Working on new compositions, including Trampled Underfoot, Kashmir, In The Light, and Swan Song. Recording sessions are cut short on account of Jones becoming ill.

 

January - November 1974

JANUARY 00/FEBRUARY 00 - HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (Jimmy Page solo) (NONE)

Recording Includes: Swan Song [AKA Midnight Moonlight] (takes 1-20).
Source: Incomplete very good to excellent soundboard & good to very good cassette demo recordings. 62 minutes.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Brutal Artistry (Midas Touch & Scorpio "fake") & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: This is the famous lost Zeppelin epic song. It is also known under the title Midnight Moonlight and that is correct since it did finally surface in the early eighties with The Firm. Tt is an important piece of Zeppelin's history, giving the band the name of its record label, and deserves to be acknowledged as such. This recording has Page playing acoustic guitar over splashes of mellotron. He works on themes that have been heard onstage for years in his White Summer improvisations, and over the hour or so he runs these themes through many different textures and variations. The last take of Midnight Moonlight is an eight minute long variation of the old Yardbirds tracks.

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JANUARY 00/FEBRUARY 00 - HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)

Recording Includes: The Wanton Song, Trampled Underfoot (long ending).
Source: Incomplete superb soundboard recording. 9 minutes.
Details: The Wanton Song has count-in.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Alternative Graffiti (Celebration Definitive Masters), Control Monitor Mixes EP (Watch Tower), The Lost Mixes EP Volume 1 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Salt Lake City 1973 (Scorpio "fake"), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: Both songs are the final mixes done at Olympic Studios that appear on Physical Graffiti but with minor variations in the mix. The Wanton Song has a count in and is perhaps a bit more raw in the vocals than the final mix. Trampled Underfoot has a very soft count-in from Jones. There are subtle differences in the guitar mix and additional guitar dubs in the end. This version also fades out whereas the final mix ends with a sustained chord.

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JANUARY 00/FEBRUARY 00 - HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)
Mixing session of tracks originally recorded between December 1970 and January 1971 at Headley Grange Studios, Hampshire, England.

Recording Includes: Boogie With Stu (5 edit piece), Night Flight (10 edit piece).
Source: Incomplete superb soundboard recording. 29 minutes.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Alternative Graffiti (Celebration Definitive Masters), Brutal Artistry II (Midas Touch), Studio Sessions Ultimate (Scorpio), & Ultra Rare Trax Part 2 (Savage Beast Music)

Comments: Takes that were later used to create final versions released on Physical Graffiti album. Boogie With Stu was not recorded at Olympic Studio in 1974 but at Headley Grange in 1971 with Ian Stewart of the Rolling Stones on piano.

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JANUARY 00/FEBRUARY 00 - HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)

Recording Includes: The Wanton Song (take 1), The Wanton Song (take 2), Take Me Home (take 1), Take Me Home (take 2), In The Morning (take 1), Trampled Underfoot (take 1), Trampled Underfoot (take 2), Trampled Underfoot (take 3), Trampled Underfoot (take 4), Trampled Underfoot (take 5), Trampled Underfoot (take 6), In The Morning (take 2), Sick Again, The Rover (acoustic & vocal), funk-jazz rhythm exercise, In My Time Of Dying (take 1), In My Time Of Dying (take 2), In My Time Of Dying (take 3), In My Time Of Dying (take 4), In My Time Of Dying (take 5).
Source: Incomplete good to very good cassette demo recordings. 65 minutes.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): Hiawatha Express (Stash), In Through The Outtakes (White Box & Widget Recordworks), & Tangible Vandalism (TV & White Box)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Alternative Graffiti (Celebration Definitive Masters), Brutal Artistry (Midas Touch & scorpio "fake"), Headly Grange (Immigrant), The Lost Sessions EP Volume 10 ~ All Roads Leads To Headley Grange 2 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Physically Present (House Of Elrond), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new"), & Totally Tangible (Blimp)

Comments: This tape is a crucial document for seeing the development of songs and the album and the songwriting talents of Led Zeppelin. The Wanton Song is much more complete than in the 1973 sound check tape with lyrics close to the final version and plenty of missed time signatures. The second The Wanton Song is the same descending riff from the earlier tape capturing the band nailing down that difficult transition with the track ending with Bonham saying "hold on, hold on". Take Me Home has a country picking beginning before landing on a Zeppelin groove very similar to The Wanton Song with Plant singing about someone wanting to leave or some such. The second take reaches almost five minutes and is more of the same. In The Light is a very early version with its original diatonic arrangement and lyrics about singing a song of salvation. The next tracks are the band working out Trampled Underfoot. None of the tracks is longer than three and a half minutes and they try different tempi over Jones' clavinet melody. Following this is another five-minute stab at In The Light, called"In The Morning at this point. Sick Again is an early rehearsal of the closing track of the album. In My Time Of Dying rehearsals consist mostly of Page working with Bonham to get the correct rhythm down. The one version of In My Time Of Dying is an almost complete take lasting eight minutes and breaks down by the end. The last couple of tracks reveal some tensions with Bonham. "You've got to have a count” he says after one take. "There's got to be a count. It would be easy but the way Rob..." "Just do it again and see" Page says to the drummer trying to calm him down. "Now just a minute, Rob's vocals never come in." Page plays the riff and Bonham responds with marching patterns on the drums before it all come crashing down and Bonzo saying still "we gotta have a count. We'll give Robert there his freedom and it doesn't matter what Rob does we can still do it." Plant asks, "but where are you counting from now?" "Well I can't count where he stops because your vocals might be different. I mean, your voice might go half a beat and we're gonna be fucked." Plant responds: "Ah, but if you do that it will be like 'Black Dog', it gives me time to move." Bonham shouts back, "but the reason we did 'Black Dog' is because we counted and you did it afterwards". Sadly, the tape cuts out.

Led Zeppelin Database email update

JANUARY 00/FEBRUARY 00 - HEADLEY GRANGE STUDIOS, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)
Near one of these early 1974 dates the following songs were finally recorded, and then later used for Physical Graffiti album: Custard Pie, In My Time Of Dying, Trampled Underfoot, Kashmir, In The Light, Ten Years Gone, The Wanton Song, and Sick Again.

Recording Includes: Trampled Underfoot (normal ending), Kashmir, Custard Pie, In The Light, Swan Song (take 1) [AKA Midnight Moonlight], Swan Song (take 2) [AKA Midnight Moonlight], Ten Years Gone.
Source: Incomplete superb soundboard recordings. 33 minutes.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Alternative Graffiti (Celebration Definitive Masters), Brutal Artistry (Midas Touch & Scorpio "fake"), Brutal Artistry II (Midas Touch), The Lost Sessions Volume 12 - All Roads Lead To Headley Grange 3 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Physical Graffiti Alternate Trax (Tarantura), Physically Present (House Of Elrond), Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new"), & Swansongs (Tarantura)

Comments: Trampled Underfoot is another mix of the final version and Kashmir is the instrumental rhythm track used in the final version. Custard Pie is again the final mix but without the harmonica at the end. In The Light is a perfectly mixed polished version of the version heard on the Headley Grange rehearsal tape. It is amazing to think how far this version got before they scrapped it in favor of the arrangement used on Physical Graffiti. The following two tracks are perfectly mixed versions of Swan Song, but with no vocals. Since the band spent the time to record and mix Swan Song in the studio, it begs the question why it was never completed with vocals. There were some stories in the press that Page was working on a suite based on the four seasons and this was one of them, but that project never got off the ground. This tape got released because Plant himself gave it to someone who passed it around and we are all fortunate to have it available to listen to and enjoy. It is truly the greatest of Zeppelin's lost tracks and deserves an official release, even in this form, in the future.

Led Zeppelin Database email update

SPRING - STARGROVES, NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)
Studio recording sessions continue with engineer Eddie Kramer and his studio hand Ron Nevison.
AUGUST 00 - SHEPPERTON STUDIOS, SHEPPERTON, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
An additional The Song Remains The Same on-stage sequences were prepared during these sessions with Peter Clifton to complete the video.
OCTOBER 00 - OLYMPIC SOUND STUDIOS, BARNES, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Other sources claims November. Final overdubing and mixing tracks for Physical Graffiti album except for Houses Of The Holy, which was mixed during May 1972 mixing sessions at Electric Lady Studios, New York City, New York, New York.
NOVEMBER 26 - LIVEWIRE THEATRE, EALING, LONDON, ENGLAND (TUESDAY)
Rehearsing Trampled Underfoot, In My Time Of Dying, When The Levee Breaks, Sick Again, Custard Pie, Don't Be Cruel, and Hound Dog.

 

January - November 1975

00 - WPLJ 95.5 RADIO BROADCAST, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (NONE)

Recording Includes: The Wanton Song (alternate take) [ cut ].
Source: Complete excellent professional FM broadcast recording. Almost 4 minutes.
Details: This is an improvement version of an outtake mentioned below and comes from tape which is far close to the master. The quality is excellent stereo and instruments are well balanced. It also has few seconds more at the beginning.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): The Lost Sessions Volume 12 - All Roads Lead To Headley Grange 3 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc) & Relax (Beelzebub Records CD-R)

Comments: Still a dispute if it is really from that radio station but obviously a great improvement over the old version and a real gem!

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JANUARY 1 - WLIR 92.7 RADIO BROADCAST, WESTBURY, NEW YORK (WEDNESDAY)

Recording Includes: The Wanton Song (alternate take).
Source: Complete very good to excellent professional FM broadcast recording. 5 minutes.
Details: This is a leaked outtake by Eddie Kramer to that radio station.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Alternative Graffiti (Celebration Definitive Masters), Brutal Artistry (Midas Touch & Scorpio "fake"), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: It was never confirmed how this song found its way to the public transmission. Definitely an outtake from which official version was made.

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APRIL 00 - ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (NONE)
Mixing of The Song Remains The Same movie and soundtrack.
APRIL 00/MAY 00 - SJEPPERTON STUDIOS, SHEPPERTON, ENGLAND/EARL'S COURT ARENA, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
The band had their vast PA flown over and set up in the studio in preparation for the fothcoming U.K. dates. Various lighting tests were made to ensure the laser lights worked effectively. The band also rehearsed new extended set to include acoustic numbers.
AUGUST 00 - TRIDENT STUDIOS, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Final mixing sessions of tapes later used for The Song Remains The Same movie soundtrack.

OCTOBER 00 - STUDIO INSTRUMENT RENTALS STUDIOS, HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (NONE)
Other sources claims September. Page and Plant are joined by Bonham and Jones for three weeks of on and off rehearsal sessions for the new album.

Recording Includes: Royal Orleans (instrumental) [ cut ], Tea For One [AKA Hootchie Kootchie version] [ cut ], Don't Start Me Talking >> Blues Medley >> All My Lovin' [ cut ].
Source: Incomplete good to very good cassette demo recordings. 7 minutes.

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Bizarre (Tarantura), Brutal Artistry II (Midas Touch), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: Royal Orleans is only twenty seconds of the opening riff. The following Tea For One is called the Hootchie Cootchie version. The final song is a slow blues dirge, but this is at a faster pace with Plant singing the hootchie cootchie lyrics over the plodding rhythm. The final five minutes of the tape show the band jamming on some blues oldies before the tape cuts out. It is valuable since this is all we have from such a tumultuous time but doesn't really reveal all that much.

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NOVEMBER 9 THRU 27 - ARABELLA HOTEL - MUSICLAND STUDIOS, ARABELLA HOTEL BASEMENTS, MUNICH, GERMANY (SUNDAY thru THURSDAY)
Recording nad mixing of entire Presence album.
DECEMBER 00 - ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (NONE)
Page flies to New York City during the Christmas holidays to direct the editing of The Song Remains The Same film and soundtrack.

 

November - December 1976

JANUARY 00 - ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (NONE)
Page produces mixes of the soundtrack for The Song Remains The Same.
AUGUST 00 - TRIDENT SOUND STUDIOS, SOHO, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Page completes the mixing of the soundtrack for the film - The Song Remains The Same.
NOVEMBER 00 - EZYHIRE STUDIOS, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Working on live arrangement of Achilles Last Stand due to the forthcoming Eleventh U.S. Tour.
DECEMBER 9 - MOUNTAIN STUDIOS, MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND (THURSDAY)
Page produces Bonzo's Montreux and also plays A.R.P. synthesiser and guitar on the track.

DECEMBER 12 - MOUNTAIN STUDIOS, MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND (SUNDAY)
Page produces Bonzo's Montreux and also plays A.R.P. synthesiser and guitar on the track. One of below takes was later mixed at The Sol Studio, Cookham, Berkshire, England and released on Coda album in 1982.

Recording Includes: Bonzo's Montreux (take 1), Bonzo's Montreux (take 2).
Source: Complete excellent soundboard recording. Almost 9 minutes.
Details: Album mixes.

Official LP Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Official CD Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Different Mixed Coda (POT) & The Lost Sessions Volume 8 ~ Led Zeppelin In The 80's Coda Advance Tapes (Empress Valley Supreme Disc)

Comments: Two very similar takes later used to produce final mix for Coda album in 1982. The only differences I detected are that Bonham’s count ins for the one of the take.

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January - February 1977

JANUARY 00/FEBRUARY 00 - MANTICORE STUDIOS, FULHAM, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Working on live arrangements of Ten Years Gone, The Battle Of Evermore, Custard Pie, Babe I'm Gonna Leave You, and Candy Store Rock due to the forthcoming Eleventh U.S. Tour. Also the band spent time perfecting a new stage show for the next American tour. Once upon a time, Steve Marriott joined the band, singing old Muddy Waters tunes.

 

May - November 1978

MAY 00 - CLEARWELL CASTLE, FOREST OF DEAN, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)

Recording Includes: Say You Gonna Leave Me [AKA Fire], Carouselambra (take 1), Carouselambra (take 2), Carouselambra (take 3).
Source: Incomplete good to very good cassette demo recordings. 17 minutes.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): In Through The Out Door - The Complete Outtakes And Rehearsals (Swan Song)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Bizarre (Tarantura), Brutal Artistry II (Midas Touch), The Lost Sessions Volume 4 (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Missing Links (The Diagrams Of Led Zeppelin), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: A really great snippet of studio time during the sessions for In Through The Out Door. Fire is a great unreleased song that should have seen its place on the album! The takes of Carouselambra are really heavy and sound great as the band develops it throughout these three takes.

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OCTOBER 13 - EZYHIRE STUDIOS, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
Rehearsing Carouselambra, In The Evening, All My Love (then under working title Hook), and Wearing And Tearing. The band reconvened to write and rehearse new material to be recorded by the end of the year. Most likely more songs had to come out during this session.

NOVEMBER 00 - POLAR STUDIOS, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (NONE)
Near this date possibly some other songs or below songs' other takes were recorded, later mixed at the end of 1978 in Plumpton Studios, Sussex, England and then used for In Through The Out Door album. These sessions took place between a series of Monday thru Friday recording sessions. During weekends the band had returned to London, England to overdubbing initial material.

Recording Includes: Carouselambra (take 1, instrumental), untitled fragment, Wearing And Tearing, Fool In The Rain (take 1), Hot Dog, In The Evening, Southbound Suarez, Darlene, Fool In The Rain (take 2), Carouselambra (take 2, with vocal).
Source: Incomplete very good soundboard recordings. 60 minutes.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): In Through The Out Door - The Complete Outtakes And Rehearsals (Swan Song), In Through Out Door Sessions (Toasted Records), In Through The Outtakes (White Box & Widget Recordworks), & Out Through The Back Door (Amazing Stork & White Box)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): All My Love (Tarantura), The Lost Sessions Volume 4 ( Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: Carouselambra is the instrumental track used for the final mix without vocals. This is the last of Zeppelin's great epics and incorporates new wave and disco elements within a bombastic idiom that only Zeppelin could pull off. This sounds brighter than the final version and doesn't end in a fade out. Wearing And Tearing was going to be a special EP to commemorate the Knebworth concerts but was scrapped and wouldn't be released until 1982's Coda. This is the final version of the piece with a count-in by Bonham and additional Plant interjections throughout the song. Fool In The Rain begins with a count-in from Bonham. And Plant, referring to the Latin flavor of the song, shouts "quartro!". There is an additional "oh yea" by the beginning but the whistle, Plant's vocals in the bridge and guitar solo are missing. Hot Dog is the same as the final version except with the guitar solo missing and Plant throwing in funny interjections like "that's my kind of music" and "c'mon Mr. Philips you can do it again". In The Evening sounds dull and fuzzy compared to the others. Since it has the vocals, guitar solo and vocal and guitar overdubs this is the final product but has a drone introduction rather than the one used for the final take. The second Carouselambra begins with a snort and giggle and contains the final take of the lyrics.

Recording Includes: All My Love (full mix), drum segment, Carouselambra (drum track), Ozone Baby (drum track1 ), Ozone Baby (drum track 2), All My Love (drum track), Wearing And Tearing (drum track), drum segment, Fool In The Rain (drum track).
Source: Inomplete excellent to superb soundboard recordings. 36 minutes.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): In Through The Out Door - The Complete Outtakes And Rehearsals (Swan Song) & Studio Daze (scorpio "old")

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Cabala (Osoz), The Lost Sessions Volume 4 ( Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), Studio Daze (scorpio "old"), Studio Daze Revisited (scorpio "old"), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: All My Love is one of the greatest outtakes from these sessions to emerge. It begins with giggling and tuning before Jones counts the band in. After an abrupt stop and another giggle, the band begins again. There is a deeper drum sound than on the final version but the vocals are the same. This version is missing the trumpet fanfare solo in the middle and unlike the version on In Through The Outdoor comes to a stop instead of a fade. What is chopped off is some of Page's most lyric and sublime playing on record. It is well known that he and Bonham didn't care for this song, but it is a mystery why the final edit chose to omit these beautiful and delicate riffs. The remainder tracks are drum mixes of versions later used on In Through The Out Door album.

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NOVEMBER 14 - POLAR STUDIOS, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (TUESDAY)
Near this date possibly some other songs were recorded, later mixed at the end of 1978 in Plumpton Studios, Sussex, England and then used for In Through The Out Door album. One of below album takes of Ozone Baby was later mixed at The Sol Studio, Cookham, Berkshire, England and released on Coda album in 1982.

Recording Includes: Ozone Baby (take 1), Ozone Baby (take 2), Ozone Baby (take 3).
Source: Complete superb soundboard recordings. 10 minutes.
Details: Take 1 - album mix with rough sound and ending is missing, take 2 & 3 - album mixes.

Official LP Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Official CD Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Different Mixed Coda (POT) & The Lost Sessions Volume 8 ~ Led Zeppelin In The 80's Coda Advance Tapes (Empress Valley Supreme Disc)

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NOVEMBER 16 - POLAR STUDIOS, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (THURSDAY)
Near this date possibly other some songs were recorded, later mixed at the end of 1978 in Plumpton Studios, Sussex, England and then used for In Through The Out Door album. One of below takes of Darlene was later mixed at The Sol Studio, Cookham, Berkshire, England and released on Coda album in 1982.

Recording Includes: Darlene (take 1), Darlene (take 2).
Source: Complete superb soundboard recordings. 10 minutes.
Details: Album mixes.

Official LP Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Official CD Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Different Mixed Coda (POT) & The Lost Sessions Volume 8 ~ Led Zeppelin In The 80's Coda Advance Tapes (Empress Valley Supreme Disc)

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NOVEMBER 17 - POLAR STUDIOS, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (FRIDAY)
All My Love sessions. Near this date possibly some other songs were recorded, later mixed at the end of 1978 in Plumpton Studios, Sussex, England and then used for In Through The Out Door album.

NOVEMBER 21 - POLAR STUDIOS, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (TUESDAY)
Near this date possibly some other songs were recorded, later mixed at the end of 1978 in Plumpton Studios, Sussex, England and then used for In Through The Out Door album. One of below takes was later mixed at The Sol Studios, Cookham, Berkshire, England and released on Coda album in 1982.

Recording Includes: Wearing And Tearing (take 1), Wearing And Tearing (take 2).
Source: Complete superb soundboard recordings. 11 minutes.
Details: Album mixes.

Official LP Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Official CD Reference(s): Coda (Swan Song)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): Different Mixed Coda (POT) & The Lost Sessions Volume 8 ~ Led Zeppelin In The 80's Coda Advance Tapes (Empress Valley Supreme Disc)

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February - July 1979

FEBRUARY 00 - POLAR STUDIOS, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (NONE)
Final mixes for In Through The Out Door, in January they had ten tracks mixed and ready to release.
JUNE 00/JULY 00 - BRAY STUDIOS, BRAY, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND (NONE)
An extensive rehearsals for the forthcoming Knebworth shows. The band rehearsing new lighting effects. Video footage was shot for possible future use, including a sketch with John Bonham demonstrating the art of folding a tee-shirt which drew on his experience as a former meanswear salesman. Other promo shots were also prepared.

 

April - September 1980

APRIL 00/MAY 00 - RAINBOW THEATRE/NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, LONDON, ENGLAND (NONE)
It was reported that the band took Rainbow Theatre between April 29th - May 4th first and then moved to New Victoria Theatre between May 5th - May 12th. Therein lies the conflict with the original dates (that were rescheduled until June).

Recording Includes: White Summer, White Summer (<< Black Mountain Side..) >> Kashmir, Achilles Last Stand (take 1), Achilles Last Stand (take 2), Stairway To Heaven.
Source: Incomplete excellent to superb soundboard recordings. 40 minutes.

Bootleg LP Reference(s): The Final Option (Rock Solid Records & The Swingin' Pig Records), The Last Rehearsal - Bonzo's Last Stand (Oznob), Out Through The Back Door (Amazing Stork & White Box), Strange Tales From The Road (Rock Solid Records), & Tangible Van-Dalism (TV & White Box)

Bootleg CD Reference(s): The Last Rehearsal (Missing Link), The Lost Sessions Volume 11 ~ The Final Rehearsal (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Rehearsals (Empress Valley Supreme Disc), Sessions (Antrabata Reference Master), Strange Tales From The Road (no label), & Studio Sessions Ultimate (scorpio "new")

Comments: On this tape are the epic numbers that were included in the set list on Zeppelin's final tour. White Summer, which by July would sound wandering and incoherent, sounds pretty good here, as do the two takes of Achillies Last Stand. Stairway To Heaven, which Plant hated by this point, sounds stale. He said they used to do a reggae version in rehearsals which would be great to someday hear.

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APRIL 00/MAY 00 - SHEPPERTON STUDIOS, SHEPPERTON, ENGLAND (NONE)
It was reported that the band have rehearsed since May 18th forward to the end of May or so and therein lies the conflict with the original dates (that were rescheduled until June).
SEPTEMBER 25 - BRAY STUDIOS, BRAY, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND (Final rehearsal of the band. John Bonham died and they split up.) (WEDNESDAY)
Start of preparing material for the long awaited next U.S. tour. After few attempts the band suggested to move rehearsals for the next day. After John Bonham's death, the band had decided not to rehearsing anymore.

 

July 1985

JULY 13 - JFK STADIUM, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, Paul Martinez, Phil Collins and Tony Thompson) (SATURDAY)
Morning rehearsal before the evening appearance at Live Aid.

 

May 1988

MAY 13 - MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (soundcheck) (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham) (FRIDAY)
During soundcheck they ran through the Atlantic set plus I Can't Quit You Baby. Possibly other Led Zeppelin songs were rehearsed but not confirmed.

Recording Includes: Bass Warm-Up, Misty Mountain Hop (take 1, first half), Misty Mountain Hop (take 2, first half), Misty Mountain Hop (take 3, through), Misty Mountain Hop (take 4, second half), Misty Mountain Hop (take 5, second half), Misty Mountain Hop (take 6, second half).
Source: Incomplete excellent soundboard soundcheck recording. 8 minutes.

Bootleg CD Reference(s):

Comments: Sounds much more interesting than following live show night after! It's obvious the band was not sync with their newest drummer.

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December 2007

DECEMBER 5 - SHEPPERTON STUDIOS, SHEPPERTON, LONDON, ENGLAND (MONDAY)
The band did rehearsals in preparation of the O2 Arena, London, England on December 10th, 2007. Prior to the day before the show rehearsals, the full set was played and also recorded two times. Most likely the band rehearsed on Good Times Bad Times, Royal Orleans, In My Time Of Dying, Nobody's Fault But Mine and No Quarter.

WARNING! Audience recording is rumored to exist and may currently be in the hands of a tape hoarder. Approach any tapes or CDs that claim to be this date with caution.

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