VOL. XVI, NO. 7

By THOM O'DONNELL, JR.

When John, Paul, George, and Ringo went their separate ways, few thought anyone again could hold so many loyal fans. How wrong we were. Led Zeppelin now must be the most popular touring group on earth.

For three nights Led Zeppelin rocked their way to Chicago immortality. Monday. Tuesday, and Wednesday of last week the boys played before a full house at the Chicago Stadium. The current American tour is to promote Zep's first double album. "Physical Graffiti," which is scheduled for release February 19.

After opening with an old favorite, "Rock and Roll," and a few other familiars, Robert Plant introduced Jimmy Page, explaining that Jimmy broke the tip of his finger while chasing a train.

Robert Plant told us of a cold he acquired during the tour, but his voice was still stronger than most vocalists. Plant then turned the spotlight over to Jimmy Page, who amazed us with his unbelievable guitar work.

Obviously enjoying himself, Page gave us a glimpse of the finer side of music by producing a bow and expressing his talent in legato bowing.

Jimmy Page then became a wizard. With a smash of the bow to the strings, the amps roared, and the audience howled. Aiming his bow to the rafters, he cursed the air with another great roar from the amps. The reverberation from his first blast was enough to go through the pickups again and cause the double sound.

Their closing number was a slow, sweet performance of "Stairway to Heaven," ironically their most famous hit - as they are known primarily for rowdy, raunchy, hard rock.

We stood nearly 10 minutes for an encore, and Led Zeppelin obliged us with two real rockers. They gave us their best rip, praised Chicago, and split. We just stood, knowing it was over but wishing it wasn't.

Now Led Zeppelin is gone, but for those who experienced part of Zep's first tour in a year and a half, they are by no means forgotten.