The concert was in memory of Atlantic Records co–founder Ahmet Ertegun, who had died almost 12 months previously aged 83. The venue was the O2 Arena, and fewer than 20,000 tickets were available. Proceeds were donated to the Ahmet Ertegun Education Fund, which pays for university scholarships in the UK, USA and Turkey.
It was Zeppelin's first live performance since the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980; his place was taken by his son Jason.
The concert was planned to take place on 26 November 2007, but on 1 November it was announced that Jimmy Page had fractured the little finger on his left hand after a fall in his garden. The concert was postponed until 10 December 2007.
The support act was Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, with Paul Rogers (of Free and Bad Company) and Paolo Nutini appearing as guest artists. The set also included a performance of Foreigner's signature song, I Want to Know What Love Is, featuring Foreigner's own Mick Jones and Brian Tichy.
The audience included rock royalty from Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger downwards, as well as many other A–list celebrities. According to Wikipedia, "Music critics in attendance were unanimous in their praise for Led Zeppelin's performance. New Musical Express proclaimed, "what they have done here tonight is proof that they can still perform to the level that originally earned them their legendary reputation ... We can only hope this isn't the last we see of them."
Sadly for all concerned, it was.
© Haydn Thompson 2024