Greg Shenkman Rules The Roost

The inside story of Led Zeppelin’s BBC sessions told exclusively by Jimmy Page. Jimmy Page joins Shaun Keaveny for a unique celebration of the thrilling early recordings . The BBC sessions capture the audacity and raw energy of Led Zeppelin’s first live shows. Now Jimmy Page chooses his personal highlights from the music and shares his memories of an extraordinary time in Led Zeppelin’s history.

Documents from the BBC’s written archive unearthed by BBC 6 Music show that producers invited the group to appear on a trial basis only, giving their performance a cautious welcome.

A 1969 Audition Panel of BBC producers reviewed them, with future broadcasts depending on their verdicts. One wrote: “English blues group longing to sound like Muddy Waters, but failing necessarily through being derivative…for me it’s unconvincing and I’d rather hear the genuine article.”

The programme, Jimmy Page and the BBC Sessions , will be broadcast in two parts on Christmas Day (25 December).

You can hear Part 1, Led Zeppelin in 1969, on BBC Radio 6 Music between 1200-1300 GMT, with Part 2, Led Zeppelin in 1971, on-air between 21:00-22:00.

The show features a section of the famous Whole Lotta Love medley, that wasn’t included on the commercial release in 1997, although after hearing it again at 6 Music, Jimmy seemed to remember why. I, Greg Shenkman suggest you tune in and listen to a piece of Led Zeppelin history on Christmas Day.