Paul Stanley recalls the 'epiphany' moment of seeing Led Zeppelin live in 1969
He attended the Becoming Led Zeppelin premiere in Los Angeles
Last updated 29th Jan 2025
Former KISS frontman Paul Stanley has recalled the life-changing experience of seeing Led Zeppelin live in concert in 1969.
Becoming Led Zeppelin, the first officially sanctioned film about the legendary English rock band, premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles last night (28th January), and KISS rocker and keen Led Zep aficionado Paul Stanley was among those in attendance.
Asked on the red carpet what Led Zeppelin means to him, Stanley said that seeing them live in concert as a teenager set him on the path to become a rock star.
“Led Zeppelin for me was a religious experience,” Stanley enthused. “The first time I saw them was 1969 and it was an epiphany for me because I saw how great something can be.”
Other attendees at the LA premiere included Dirty Honey, Eagles of Death Metal’s Jess Hughes, members of Stone Temple Pilots, The Black Crowes, Anthrax’s Scott Ian, Garbage, actors JK Simmons and Michael Rosenbaum, and John Bonham’s grandson Jager Henry Bonham.
Eagles of Death Metal’s Jesse Hughes spoke about what he hoped young music fans would learn about Led Zeppelin from the film: “That it’s actually important to have integrity. That’s one of the things you learn... No matter what, they maintained an integrity that is unparalleled. It’s possible to be honest, and be a shark at the same time.”
Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian shared his favourite Led Zeppelin song: “‘In My Time Of Dying’, that might be Bonham’s sickest drum track.”
The Black Crowes' Chris Robinson
Becoming Led Zeppelin Los Angeles premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre
Garbage
Becoming Led Zeppelin Los Angeles premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre
Dirty Honey
Becoming Led Zeppelin Los Angeles premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre
John Bonham’s grandson Jager Henry Bonham
Becoming Led Zeppelin Los Angeles premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre
J.K. Simmons
Becoming Led Zeppelin Los Angeles premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre
Eagles of Death Metal’s Jesse Hughes
Becoming Led Zeppelin Los Angeles premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre
The Black Crowes' Rich Robinson
Becoming Led Zeppelin Los Angeles premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre
Paul Stanley
Becoming Led Zeppelin Los Angeles premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre
Anthrax's Scott Ian with his son Revel and wife Pearl Aday,
Becoming Led Zeppelin Los Angeles premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre
Actor J.K. Simmons described Led Zeppelin as “maybe the greatest rock and roll band of all time” and remarked on “the combination of lock blues and really sophisticated musicianship, and Plant” as the DNA that made the group truly incredible.
When asked how Led Zeppelin’s work had influenced his band’s music, The Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson replied: “It is part of the language. You can’t get too far without L, M, N, O, P. They have a big part of our musical language, I mean it’s as simple as that.”
Becoming Led Zeppelin will get an exclusive IMAX release on Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th February 2025 before hitting cinemas across the UK on Friday 7th February 2025. Tickets are on sale now.
A synopsis from Sony Pictures reads: ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin explores the origins of this iconic group and their meteoric rise in just one year against all the odds
‘Powered by awe-inspiring, psychedelic, never-before-seen footage, performances, and music, Bernard MacMahon’s experiential cinematic odyssey explores Led Zeppelin’s creative, musical, and personal origin story.
‘The film is told in Led Zeppelin’s own words and is the first officially sanctioned film on the group.’
Six years in the works, Becoming Led Zeppelin was first announced in 2019, and a work-in-progress version screened at the Venice Film Festival way back in August 2021.