Since I've Been Loving You (Live 1972)

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is spinning the soulful blues of Led Zeppelin's "Since I've Been Loving You (Live 1972)" from their epic live album How the West Was Won, and we're diving into some juicy trivia about this track. This version, captured during their June 27, 1972, performance at the Long Beach Arena, is a standout for its raw emotional intensity. Jimmy Page once noted in Barney Hoskyns' Led Zeppelin: The Oral History that the song was already taking shape during their 1970 Royal Albert Hall show, but the lack of keyboard recording there made the 1972 Long Beach version a fuller realization. Robert Plant's vocals on this live cut have been described as "transcendental" by fans, with Plant himself reflecting on the song's emotional lift at the end of each verse, calling it "regal and so emotional" in Hoskyns' book. The interplay between Plant's vocal agony and Page's bluesy guitar riffs creates a mystical conversation of love and loss, making this rendition a fan favorite for its heart-wrenching delivery.

Another tidbit from the Zoo Crew vault: the song's live performance on How the West Was Won showcases Led Zeppelin at their peak, with Page's guitar work described as some of his best ever by Amazon reviewers. Fans on Songfacts rave about the song's raw emotion, with one user, Sam from Concord, OH, joking that anyone who doesn't feel something listening to it "probably has no soul." The squeaky drum pedal, a subtle imperfection from the studio version on Led Zeppelin III, is cherished by fans like Sarah from Melbourne, who says it adds to the song's realness. Plant's vocal range shines here, stretching to capture the song's bluesy anguish, which he noted in a 2003 Mojo interview was particularly challenging due to the unnatural chord progressions. This live version, clocking in at over seven minutes, lets the band stretch out, with John Bonham's thunderous drums and John Paul Jones' keyboards adding depth to the tempest Page conjures.

Now, let's rewind to how Led Zeppelin got their start. Formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds, the band came together when guitarist Jimmy Page, fresh from his stint with The Yardbirds, needed a new lineup to fulfill tour obligations. Page recruited Robert Plant, a young singer from Birmingham with a powerful voice, who in turn brought along drummer John Bonham, his mate from local gigs. Bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, a seasoned session musician, joined after answering Page's call for collaborators. The quartet gelled instantly, renaming themselves Led Zeppelin after a quip from The Who's Keith Moon, who said the band would go down like a "lead balloon." Their debut album, Led Zeppelin, dropped in 1969, blending blues, rock, and folk into a sound that redefined the genre. By 1970, when "Since I've Been Loving You" was recorded for Led Zeppelin III, they were already global superstars, known for their electrifying live shows and innovative studio work.

For all you Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with the Led Zeppelin legacy, check out their official website at ledzeppelin.com for discography and news. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwback content. Fans can also join the vibrant community at Led Zeppelin Fans on Facebook, a group dedicated to sharing memories, rare photos, and discussions about the band. For deeper dives, fan-run sites like Led Zep News offer updates on reissues and band-related projects. So, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let’s keep rocking with the mighty Zep!