Jimmy Page Reflects on the Gig That Redeemed Led Zeppelin’s Live Aid Disaster: ‘I’m Not Rehearsing…

In the annals of rock history, few moments are as iconic—and as controversial—as Led Zeppelin’s disastrous 1985 Live Aid performance. For many fans, it’s a blemish on the legendary band’s career, marked by technical difficulties, a lack of rehearsal, and the ghost of their former glory. However, Jimmy Page, the legendary guitarist, has spoken out about the gig he believes redeemed the band’s reputation after that infamous performance.

Reflecting on the Live Aid show, Page has long been candid about the frustrations surrounding the event. But it was another performance—one that followed soon after—that he credits with restoring Led Zeppelin’s status as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

The Live Aid Disaster: Unprepared and Unrehearsed

When Led Zeppelin reunited for the Live Aid charity concert in 1985, it was expected to be a triumphant return. The band had not performed together in years, and the stakes were high as they took the stage for the first time since the tragic death of their drummer, John Bonham, in 1980. However, the performance quickly turned into a disaster.

Page has often mentioned the lack of rehearsal as a major factor in the performance’s failure. In a rare interview, he explained, “I wasn’t prepared to rehearse. I had been asked to do it, but I said no. We hadn’t played together for five years, and that kind of show needs time to get into. We didn’t have that time.”

The show was plagued by technical issues, including poor sound and confusion onstage. It was clear that the band’s chemistry had eroded in the absence of Bonham’s powerful drumming. The performance left many fans disappointed and questioning whether the magic of Led Zeppelin could ever truly be recaptured.

The Redemption Gig: A Comeback Performance

For Jimmy Page, however, there was a chance to redeem the band’s legacy—something that came not long after the Live Aid fiasco. In 1988, Led Zeppelin reunited once again, this time for a tribute concert for their late drummer, John Bonham. The event was held at London’s famed Royal Albert Hall, and Page believes it was this show that truly helped the band redeem their earlier missteps.

“I knew we had to get it right this time,” Page recalls. “We had all the time we needed to rehearse, and we were more prepared than ever. We knew we had something to prove.”

The 1988 reunion was marked by the return of Bonham’s son, Jason, on drums, and while no performance could fully replace the magic of their original lineup, it was widely seen as a success. Page feels that this show re-established Led Zeppelin’s reputation as the rock giants they were before Bonham’s tragic passing.

Jimmy Page on His No-Rehearsal Philosophy

In an interview reflecting on his career, Page further elaborated on his decision to avoid rehearsals before the Live Aid show. While his approach may seem counterintuitive to some, the guitarist has always been a firm believer in the power of spontaneity. “Rehearsals take away the magic for me. I like to feel it in the moment. For Live Aid, we had too little time to get into that zone. But the 1988 show was different—we had time, and it was perfect.”

Page’s philosophy about spontaneity, paired with his self-awareness of the limitations at Live Aid, underscores the challenges the band faced when attempting to recapture their former glory without their beloved drummer.

Legacy Restored

While Live Aid remains a pivotal moment in the band’s history, it’s clear that the 1988 reunion is the performance Page believes fully redeemed Led Zeppelin. Fans still talk about the energy and passion the band displayed that night, proving that, despite the setbacks, Led Zeppelin could still rock with the best of them.

Today, Jimmy Page looks back on the experience as a defining moment, one that ensured Led Zeppelin’s legacy would endure, regardless of the missteps at Live Aid. “That 1988 gig was the real redemption,” he says, smiling. “We did it right that time.”