The legends of music, or more specifically rock music, is an extremely extensive list. From Little Richard to Nirvana, Rock bands from around the globe have made everlasting scratches and grooves in the vinyl record that is the human race. 

One of the deepest dents, however, will forever be the mark of Led Zeppelin. 

Led Zeppelin is one of the most monumentally influential bands of all time, and for good reason. Their mind-blowing creativity and explosive machinations are one of a kind and have never seemed to be forgotten. 

The love and community among Led Zeppelin fans is unique for its curiosity of the band’s exploration alone. And thanks to the internet, videos and clips of authentic Zeppelin performances and bustle are anywhere you wish to find them. To spend hours deep-diving into the hustle behind every show, and the backstory to every life-changing decision they ever experienced is consuming but will always leave you wanting more. 

Luckily, Becoming Led Zeppelin is here to give newer answers to old questions. The new documentary, directed by Bernard MacMahon, is just over 2 hours long and full of previously unseen photographs and footage of shows and studio days, as well as live interviews with the remaining three members and audio interviews with the late great drummer of the group, John Bonham. 

The film tells the beautiful and rare story of how each member perfectly fit together to create this beloved band and the luck and chemistry involved in doing so. 

It introduces the childhoods and early efforts of Page, Jones, Plant, and Bonham, then smoothly delves into the beginning stages of each member’s navigation through the music scene. 

It emphasizes each member’s life before Jimmy Page took the bull by the horns and decided to finally create the band he’d always wanted to be a part of. From there everything seemed to fall into place. They had found each other and could now begin to create something really amazing. 

One of the things I loved about this documentary was the footage of the band’s early “defeats” which showcased how those setbacks were crucial to the understanding of their unique sound. It shows their struggle for acceptance in places like England and their gutsy move to try the U.S. on for size (this would become the best decision they would ever make). 

Although most of the footage of performances is not brand new, they still offer new angles to the existing footage, and with the context provided by the never-before-seen interviews, portray these videos in a more personal light.

Throughout the film, live interviews with Plant, Jones, and Page are shown to share each individual’s experience as we move along the Led Zeppelin timeline. 

While these interviews are not extremely deep or introspective, they are necessary and bring a new display of authenticity and pure joy in reliving the stories they are remembering. These interviews give the audience the feeling of being right there in the room with each of them. Even the John Bonham interview seems like you are just on the phone with him or overhearing a conversation. 

The way this documentary isn’t trying to feed you exaggerations of how marvelous or miserable everything was makes it all the more enjoyable. It does a fantastic job of sharing the facts and feelings that created the Led Zeppelin we know and love today. It feels inviting and honest while still remaining relatable and unique, which opens this world up to all the people who have been waiting to get a closer glimpse at it. 

The editing of the film was also very notable. The overlay of songs (although I wish they used more) was powerful in the way it brought everything back to the music. 

By repeatedly tying the distinctive moments of the group’s history with timely footage of worldwide events, like the Moon Landing of 1969, the film creates a setting and hints at a metaphor for the incredible impact the band was about to invent. These shots timed with Zeppelin’s early and renowned songs create an atmosphere that almost lends credit to the universe for the stars that aligned to present us with the combination of all four bandmembers. 

The film ends with the release of “Led Zeppelin II” and right as the group hits number one band in the world in 1970. It resolves itself while still insinuating the rest that has yet to come by showing baby photos of the band members with a concluding voice of Robert Plant. It leaves the audience with a sense of satisfaction and involvement but with a remaining curiosity and wonder, not just of the band but of music as a whole. 

I think a fitting way to end would be to quote a very relevant lyric from Led Zeppelin’s song “Houses of the Holy”: 

(Ahem.) 

“Let the music be your master, will you heed the master’s call?”