Upgraded footage of Led Zeppelin performing in Cleveland, Ohio on April 27, 1977 has been published online by LedZepFilm.
The film, shot by concert attendee Eric Ronson, is now available to watch in improved quality thanks to a new transfer of the original reels.
The concert is most famous for being the source of the famous Led Zeppelin bootleg Destroyer.
“I went to see ‘The Song Remains The Same’ out of curiosity in 1976 and l became an immediate Led Zeppelin fan,” Ronson tells LedZepNews.
“I was about to turn 16 a few months after April 27th, 1977 … ticket sales for the Cleveland show was by lottery for two dates in April. I attended the first of the two shows. I attended that show with my mother, father and best friend,” he adds.
“This was before cameras were prohibited,” Ronson explains. “l took a Super 8mm camera with a zoom lens and a borrowed 35mm camera. I wanted to begin the film from behind as they did in TSRTS.”
“I used four 50ft. rolls of film. I never anticipated sharing this with so many people or having sound dubbed for there are several disappointing cuts. I wish l had closeups but security was extremely tight! I didn’t encounter Richard Cole, l found out later that he was walking around taking movie cameras and tape recorders. I tried to get every possible angle in the Richfield Coliseum,” he continues.
“I filmed it for myself but I’m pleased I’m able to share this historical document with fans,” Ronson continues. “The internet wasn’t thought of in 1977… l wish l would have shot more film in hindsight but l didn’t realize how important that documenting this show would become.”
Here’s a comparison between the original transfer of the footage:
And the same still from the new transfer:
I was there both nights and took
12 photos with scrappy little camera. But came out fairly well. Still hanging on my wall with ticket stubs@
Bought scalper tickets for $30 which was sky high for that year but we said when are we going to ever see led Zeppelin again they may have never come back. So we bought the tickets had a great great time
Was there also… Great concert!! I was 20 years old
I was there both nights, I remember that the setlist was pretty much the same both nights, what a spectacular show! They did not disappoint. I remember Jimmy Page using the violin bow on his guitar, John Bonham’s drum solo on Moby Dick. I was a senior in high school about to graduate, a time I’ll never forget.
My favorite band of all!! While waiting to get in the show with my two best friends and holding my tickets in hand, some guy grabbed my tickets and took off
Security let us in anyway!!
I was there but couldn’t get tickets and then..I saw some girl showing her tickets to a friend,I snatched them up and ran,best show ever!! Just kidding Dawn B.Ive never been to ohio.
I saw them in 1969 at Public Hall. They started out pretty slow but finished strong.
the power the mystery and the hammer of the gods