quarterback running 🏃: . ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’ Review: A Sanitized Look at the Legendary Band’s Rise

‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’ Review: A Sanitized Look at the Legendary Band’s Rise

The long-awaited documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin has finally surfaced, offering a rare and detailed look at the early days of one of rock’s greatest bands. However, fans expecting a raw, unfiltered portrayal of Led Zeppelin’s notorious debauchery might be disappointed. The film, directed by Bernard MacMahon, opts for a reverential tone, avoiding the more controversial aspects of the band’s legacy—including their infamous encounters with groupies, excessive drug use, and rumored dabblings in the occult.

A Mythic Yet Sanitized Origin Story

Led Zeppelin, formed in 1968, revolutionized rock music with their mix of blues, folk, and heavy metal. The documentary, which features extensive interviews with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones, along with rare archival footage of the late John Bonham, focuses primarily on their rise to stardom. It highlights the band’s musical inspirations, their relentless touring schedule, and the creation of their groundbreaking albums.

MacMahon’s approach is meticulous in chronicling their artistry, but it largely ignores the band’s wilder escapades that have long fueled their mystique. Unlike previous documentaries and biographies, Becoming Led Zeppelin steers clear of salacious details, instead presenting the band as dedicated musicians who reshaped the rock landscape.

What’s Missing? The Dark Side of Zeppelin

Absent from the documentary are the darker elements of Zeppelin’s past, such as:

Groupies and Alleged Exploits: The band was notorious for their backstage excesses, particularly their involvement with young groupies. The infamous stories from the 1970s, including the controversial accounts from former groupies like Lori Maddox, are completely omitted.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse: While many rock bands of the era indulged in substance abuse, Led Zeppelin’s lifestyle was particularly extreme. Accounts of rampant drug use, destruction of hotel rooms, and erratic behavior—often linked to drummer John Bonham—are notably absent from the film.

Occult Fascination and Jimmy Page’s Interest in Aleister Crowley: Page’s well-documented obsession with the occult, including his purchase of Crowley’s former home, Boleskine House, is not mentioned. Rumors of the band’s involvement in dark rituals have long been part of their mythos, but Becoming Led Zeppelin steers clear of this narrative.

A Missed Opportunity or a Respectful Tribute?

For die-hard Zeppelin fans, Becoming Led Zeppelin offers an intimate, well-crafted look at the band’s formative years. Its focus on their musical evolution and artistic genius will certainly appeal to purists. However, for those seeking a more complete picture—including the chaos, excess, and controversy that defined their journey—the film may feel incomplete.

Ultimately, Becoming Led Zeppelin is less of a tell-all documentary and more of a love letter to the band’s legacy, presenting them as legendary musicians rather than rock ‘n’ roll renegades. Whether this approach is an oversight or a conscious effort to preserve their image is up for debate.

Would you have preferred a grittier documentary, or do you think the focus on music was the right choice?