Led Zeppelin - Press Conference 1970 (longest version) 

Robert Plant looks like he couldve been king of england in the 1500’s

"What's the difference between you and The Beatles, as far as your music is concerned?" Jesus. If any of those reporters had listened to a Zep album they wouldn't have to ask.

They wore the same print as the couch hoping they'd be hidden and wouldn't have to answer ridiculous questions.

I really wish there was more footage of young Jimmy just talking. Hell, I’d settle for a clip of him describing his bloody breakfast.

I guess it's mildly comforting to know that the reporter's questions back then were just as stupid as they are nowadays.

I watch interviews like this and think "No wonder rock stars hate doing interviews."

I love how Jimmy said “what about Judy Garland?” She was not a rock star but died from drugs. But the stigma was all about the association between rock music and drugs. They couldn’t give him an answer for that.

It’s a shame none of the interviewers thought to ask Jimmy about Hendrix’s guitar playing. That would be an answer worth hearing.

Camouflage Lessons by Page and Plant: Blending in with the Sofa

Not One Single Comment about how talented they are, even back then the press was horrible.

2:33 Jimi Hendrix's death had just been announced which makes this interview date 18 September 1970. A few months earlier, the Beatles had officially disbanded. Both events were big shocks in the entertainment industry, leaving a big opening for Led Zep in the marketplace

It’s crazy that all those massive bands from the 60s and 70s were British. We’re a tiny island that’s smaller than the state of Texas, but our effect on the world’s music is massive.

Jimmy's voice... I love it. He sounded like a teenager

Here is some context to this press conference. 1. Jimi Hendrix had just died in London at 12:45p.m. September 18, 1970. So by the time of this press conference in New York City, the news of Hendrix's passing was passing through the news media and the music world. It is natural for reporters to ask about their reaction to Jimi Hendrix's death as it was on everyone's mind. 2. In between the September 9 Boston Garden gig and the September 19 Madison Square Garden shows, Led Zeppelin returned to England. The 1970 Melody Maker Poll results had been announced in the interim. For the first time in a decade, the Beatles were not the winners in Favourite Group. Led Zeppelin became the first band to knock the Beatles off the top spot since the Melody Maker Poll began. Not the Rolling Stones. Not the Kinks. Not the Who. It was Led Zeppelin. This played into the jealousy that a lot of those old groups had towards Led Zeppelin. They all felt that with the Beatles gone that it should be them to reap the benefits and rewards, not these new upstarts. So this wasn't about Led Zeppelin's album knocking the Beatles off the #1 spot in the charts...that had already happened in December 1969 when Led Zeppelin II replaced "Abbey Road" on the charts. No, by being the first band to replace the Beatles in the Melody Maker Poll, Led Zeppelin showed it was they who were winning the hearts and minds of the young people now that the Beatles were gone. Not the old fogeys Stones, Who and Kinks. That signified a seismic change in the rock and roll landscape. The Beatles were already legendary by this point and one of the few rock groups taken seriously by the mainstream media. Hence, all the Beatles questions. This was also a time when many mainstream media people still thought rock and roll was a fad that would hopefully go away and the world could return to Lawrence Welk music.

Judy garland was a perfect comeback!!!

I can honestly say that Jimmy and Robert kept their charm and grace, and gave some intelligent and thoughtful replies to the most ludicrous and void of purpose questions ever asked, ever. . .

The fact this interview was filmed the same day Jimi Hendrix died is incredible

Excellent. Shows you how intelligent Robert and Jimmy are. Beautiful English men. Deep thinkers, well-spoken, quiet demeanors, unfortunately unlike today's "musicians". They make me proud to be English.

these People can't stop talking about the Beatles led zeppelin is in front of you talk about them

Amazing how intelligent they both are and being only 22 and 26 at the time.

11:22 Page: "But, no one expected this" Plant: *raises eyebrows* "Certainly not". Little joke between friends, hidden in plain sight, love it.

I would have loved this if the reporters had done their homework and asked good questions. You can tell they perceived the rock music scene as a freak show.

jimmy and rob get bullied for ten minutes

These interviewers are asking some pretty stupid questions at times. But Robert and Jimmy know how to answer them. Love these guys!!!

I’m alway stunned at the idiocy of the questions. No wonder Jimmy always said “they didn’t understand what we were doing”. I loved their music and I could never get why reporters always tried to imply it had some kind of message or mind control. 😂 Like it was dangerous.

Page always seemed impatient in interviews, while Plant always seemed to be the more social one, always appears inviting and freindly. Nothing against Jimmy, I'd be the same way.

Robert back then looked like he stepped out of a Rembrandt painting.

This interview is now 50 years old. Incredible!

Robert Plant is such a smart guy!

Page was 26-and-a-half years old, and Plant had just turned 22 the month before. Even though Page had the pedigree and experience--and should have had the savvy with the media--it was already apparent that Plant was beginning to emerge as the spokesman with the quick wit, and thoughtful answers for the media. This would continue...and is still prevalent today. What Plant says, goes.

As a huge Beatles fan who later got into Zeppelin (I adore them both), I appreciate how much respect there is from Robert and Jimmy towards them. I imagine some of the reporters were hoping to stir up some dirt, and were denied.

Jimmy kinda looks like he wants to disappear into the sofa

they were so handsome omg

I saw Led Zeppelin for the 1st time in 1970 in NYC @ MADISON SQUARE GARDENS! I'm pretty sure it was in Sept!!! This must have beeb when they did this interview!!! BTW, tickets were $9.50 for the good seats!!! How lucky am I? I saw ZEP 3 more times after that!!! The BEST ROCK BAND OF the 1970'S!!! ROCK N ROLL! ;-)

Pages voice sounds so different form later interviews

I like how Jimmy starts interviewing the reporter at 6:43

This is a good illustration of why Zeppelin was good and why I like them. Robert’s answers about not wanting to have a “message” and be some kind of “thought leader” for “the youth”. They were just about the music. Making great music.

I can’t reconcile Robert Plant’s speaking with his singing. And how can a person smoke cigarettes and maintain such an amazing voice?

9:47 jimmy’s smile immediately drops as he is asked another ignorant question about the Beatles

Jimmy's smile awww 😍

Polite, intelligent answers to rather stupid questions. I love Jimmy's reply about rock'n'roll and drugs (evoking Garland and Piaf)...

everytime Robert giggles I gain years of life

I agree with them when they say The Beatles got through to so many millions of people, that’s an inspiration to them itself of the power of music and the timelessness of the art form, and how Robert later says we don’t exactly have a message but a message of enjoyment, enjoy the music when you’re listening to it.

The decade when haircut salons were under financial depression.

robert plant looks so good I almost cried just by looking at him

ALL RIGHT JIMMY 👊 I'd like to say ""what about Judy Garland, I'm sure there was some tie up there of drugs, isn't there?"" BRAVO 👏👏

I like the way people back then really listened and responded with respectful consideration, rather than always trying to be funny or combative or whatever the way they do now.

This interview = What is and what should never be. dumbest. questions. ever.

The reporters spent most of the time asking them about other musicians lmao

I was born in '72. I remember distinctly a few years later hearing 'Kashmir' on the radio (I had older siblings) and thinking - at 5 or 6 - how unusual that song was musically. It remains my favorite Zep song.

What Jimi was like as an entertainer: "He put every iota of everything he's got inside him at the time into what he was doing, and the audience felt that." Awesome.

For all the whimsy of his lyrics, Robert Plant is super down to earth in interviews Zero pretensions. Always humble, and will play along with the press. He's the opposite of Lou Reed lol.

Funny to see that Pages nose touching tick goes way back😁

It's always a shock to me hearing Jimmy Pages speaking voice no matter how many times I hear it.

Must have been so frustrating for them when all the questions were about the Beatles or Hendrix. But I'll keep watching for the sheer pleasure of hearing young Robert Plant's voice

What is Page doing with one of the musketeers? And why are they trying to blend in with the couch?

Robert seems more the talker. Jimmy seems the quiet, almost... nervous? Shy? -I guess- he's the one who's happy to let someone else do the talking. Same, Jimmy, same

A gem of an interview, a time capsule revealing what was on the minds of people: the counter-culture, drugs, stardom.

They are very beautiful, good-natured, intelligent and adorable.

Dumbest reporters ever. Plant who looks magnificent as a Musketeer, tries gamely but Page treats the questions with the contempt they deserve. "Would you like to receive the order of the garter?" "What's that, something to do with the Can Can?" lol

Main points from the interview I heard... You knocked the Beatles from the top! Do you like The Beatles? Are you gonna be bigger than The Beatles? Is your music like the Beatles? Beatles, Beatles, Beatles.... Did I forget to mention The Beatles?? p.s I think both bands are legends in their own, unique/different ways and both should be celebrated as amazing UK artists (being a Brit myself 😁)

jeez, this was 50 years ago. i think it's fair to say music has devolved tremendously. every time i try to give new songs a chance is just a reminder of why i keep returning to these guys.

greatest band to ever exist

Robert Plant is still a kid here relatively speaking but he is all class - he sees the “gotcha” questions from miles away and he’s all grace about the Beatles, etc

This is such an awkward interview in terms of questions and the boys handle it so well and respectfully. One thing that has remained the same throughout the years is that you can see there is not a shred of ego between them and they are humble, friendly and down to earth.

The press always slammed Zeppelin because they defied categorization. They were so ahead of their time and revolutionary, Zeppelin suffered the same disdain that all the innovators faced when they weren't able to fit into any preconceived box. Those who are first through the wall are bound to get bloody. This was right before the fourth record and I remember Jones saying that that album was the one. "After that, they didn't compare us to Black Sabbath anymore."

Robert was beautiful.

Jimmy 😍❤️

My first concert to go to.It was in Mobile Ala. and the tickets were $3.25cents.I still have my ticket stubb and t shirt! What a way to start off .I love this band and I am still listening to their music.I am 64 years young and still love the rock and roll from the 60s and 70s.✌

This is great. Thanks for uploading.

I love how Jimmy’s top sometimes matches with the sofa 😂😂

4:40 can't get enough of bearded Robert and his glorious hair flexings

great 1970 interview plus the ultimate madison square garden performance they ever did cheers to james patrick page robert anthony plant

Most probably two of the greatest original metal masters of all time , one is the greatest singer the other is the greatest guitarist . Legends

such cool guys , tnx for All the Amazing music = Eternal works of Art 👍

Robert's hair grew incredibly fast from the end of '68 to here didn't it? Jimmy with the beard really gives a distinct date, he had it for such a short time. I can believe this was 50 years ago.

Jimmy showed lots of respect for Jimi

Outstanding...thx for the post.

Robert was only like 21 in this video

Page had already toured with The Yardbirds and was no novice when it came to being a well known musician in the US concert scene. Suddenly it was very different.... It was a new public reality after the massive and sudden worldwide success of ZEP 2. It must have been thrilling for Page, and especially overwhelming for Plant to have that intense press focus on the band.

Who’s here in 2020? Also where’s bonzo and John paul Jones

Love the cameras and camera guys. "Greatest Rock Band In The World." 🎸 All four band members were Super talented. Thank you. God bless you. 💗➕💗

Back then it was zeppelin vs the media, today it is the people vs the media. So ahead of their time.

They looked like English Sirs of the early XVIII century, wearing wigs and smart goatees...

I agree that these press people are really grilling Robert and Jimmy,and I guess thats their job.In any case Robert and Jimmy handle it like champions.

Amazing channel for a Zepp fan! Thank you so much! SUBSCRIBED!

Good call Jimmy: "What about Judy Garland or Edith Piaf?" They really wanted LZ to go on about drugs.

They are so young....and look kinda lost in the fame....its got to be a tought life to live...but they were loved by sooo many people....and still are today!!💖

A day before the last concert they played before recording Zep 4. No other words I can say can infirm the moment.

I think jimmy looks so shy and cute ♡

@1:42 me too Robert, me too lol and Page's mention of Judy Garland going over their heads...>

For all their bluster on stage, Page and Plant were rather reserved and proper.

Beatles were a singing group, more like the Beach Boys or the Moody Blues. Zeppelin was a hard rock band.

Actually in that time 1970, the society hated rock, they hated this movement, coming from the hippi-movement, the general society hated long hair and despised people, who had long hair. Long hair and was even seen as a threat to all moral standarts so far. The society feld threatend in general by it. We should not forget that in the 70is it was seen as rebellious to look like Plant and Page, what to say about their music and stage-presence. In that time, the world was quit narrow in that respect. For me, I can feel the contempt of the journalists, there lack of true interest in rock-music. They didn't considered them as serious artists. Instead of installing the mics in that way, that Plant and Page can talk and sit comfortable, they told them to lean forward and speak louder, like kids at school. When Plant said, that he makes music to just have a good time, than he doesn't tell the huge political and moral inpact it had. Today music is only for consuming, but in the 70is it needed courage and guts. I remember it was often said, that men with long hair are dirty and always on drugs. That was the general opinion. Thats why those so calles journalist kept asking them about drugs. Just to confirm their own prejudice and ignorance. I still get angry, when I see this today.

I would have loved to interview these rock and roll gods! I could think of 50 different things right of the top of my head that I would have asked them about! Their music, their songs the way they performed their songs the way they we're so in-sync and connected with one another on stage while performing! Their personal relationships, what do they do when they're not playing what are their Hobbies, likes and dislikes! I mean there are just so many things I would want to know about them I mean really the questions that were asked by this group of reporters were asinine! I mean really how often does one get the chance to interview one of the best rock and roll bands of all time! They should have prepared and done their homework before even sitting down with these gentlemen! Anyway I think Jimmy and Robert did an excellent job and they were both very respectful which they did not have to be! Thank you for sharing this was us! I try to watch any and all interviews and performances by Led Zeppelin!

What a disgusting question to ask when they just heard about Jimmis death 30 minutes before the interview. And I absolutely love that Jimmy hit the reporter back with the older generation and being jist as stuck on drugs. Fucking king doesn't let anything slip

These questions were cringeworthy. Im surprised they stuck it out.

RP is about the best looking fellow ever.

I commend their patience, but I can tell In their minds, they kept saying, “how many more dumb ass questions do we have to answer?”

Dos caballeros muy inteligentes; Robert es hermoso y tan talentoso!! Larga vida a Led Zeppelin!!