Tribute band to replicate Led Zeppelin's first show on 40th anniversary

The first onstage outing of Led Zeppelin is to be recreated on its 40th anniversary with a live run-through of the group's material at the same school gymnasium in Copenhagen, Denmark, that took on a major role in that first day of live music back in 1968.

The Sept. 7 performance by the Danish tribute band called Led Zeppelin Jam is to take place over two days of timely remembrances about the earliest shows.

Led Zeppelin's onstage debut, albeit while the group still bore the name of the Yardbirds, took place Sept. 7, 1968. That day consisted of two performances: the first at the Egegaard Primary School for the Gladsaxe Teen Club and later at the Norresgardshall for the Brondby Pop Club.

Although the Gladsaxe Teen Club disbanded 39 years ago, some of its members today sit on the committee sponsoring next month's repeat performance. One of the people present at that first show, house photographer Jørgen Angel, is scheduled to be on hand at the event for an exhibition of the unique photographs he captured of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham during the very first time they shared a stage.

Celebrations are to continue through the following day, when Angel's photo collection moves to the Gladsaxe Hovedbibliotek. The Danish photographer is slated to speak (in his native tongue) about many of the rock celebrities and bands he has encountered and photographed throughout his lifetime. These include Eric Clapton, AC/DC, Jethro Tull, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Robert Palmer, Stephen Stills, Carlos Santana, Robin Trower and the Who.

See here for more information about these 40th anniversary events. Those who are unable to attend the events may find Led Zeppelin fanzine Proximity's 2000 interview with Angel of great interest.