Our sense was that there was absolutely no intention of ever doing a Zeppelin film, MacMahon says.
Peter wouldnt let anybody film us.
According to McGourty, Grant would rip the film out of cameras and eject people from their concerts.
Led Zeppelin in 1970: ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’ traces the band’s origins.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Thats the end of the story.
They envisioned a 120-minute work that could be shown in theaters for the maximum immersive sonic experience.
For him, the saga after the completion of 1969sLed Zeppelin IIisnt nearly as compelling as what came before.
That story didnt interest me, he says.
Album, tour, album, tour, album tour, adds McGourty.
MacMahon, on a dual Zoom with his collaborator, nods in agreement.
This person falls out with this person.
Someone becomes a drug addict.
Blah, blah, blah.
Youve just heard it over and over again.
But who these people are has never come out.
No one knows who they are, personally.
But as we were walking through the storyboard, its as if we were walking through their childhoods.
Those feelings were coming back.
I could see him going, Oh, you know, this could work.
We came presenting this story that was similar to theAmerican Epicstory, except it was about them.
Which isnt to say the filmmakers werent tested.
MacMahon correctly answered Obs-Tweedle.
And Jimmy said, Very good.
People waited this long to hear the group tell their story, McGourty says.
Theyve never done it before.
So let them tell it.
But as they were warned, film or TV footage of Zep during that period was hardly plentiful.
There, the owner of the footage agreed to let them use it, but with preconditions.
He didnt want to let it out of his possession.
Later, Plant attended another screening in London and turned to McGourty and said, That was my life.
So, will there be a sequel that ventures into Led Zeppelins later years?
The filmmakers are cagey.
I havent even given it a second thought, says MacMahon.
This is the film we wanted to make.
It was like climbing Everest.
All I know is a sequel would be an enormous amount of work.
I dont contemplate that lightly.
MacMahon says that wasnt the plan, yet he can envision such a scenario.
Its kind of a clarion call.
it’s possible for you to do this.
You just need three other buddies and one other bloke keeping everyone away.
You dont need 100 samples and fucking 10,000 lawyers having to give your songwriting credits to 15 engineers.
And, he adds, who wouldnt want to wear those clothes?
That shit looks cool.
