Led Zeppelin, “Communication Breakdown” First Live Performance
Gladsaxe, Denmark 1969
Watching footage of Led Zeppelin from later in their career, it’s hard to imagine them starting out playing anything other than packed arenas and being offered obscene sums of money for reunions. However, like any other band, they had to start somewhere! This 1969 footage features the boys playing one of their very first shows; a televised performance in Denmark, just 3 months after the release of their self-entitled debut album.
From the first chords of ‘Communication Breakdown’ and Robert Plant’s blues-soaked voice, one thing was clear: there were no bands even remotely like Led Zeppelin, and there would be no one after them that would come close to the allure and special “something” the band created when they played together.
This performance is an absolute treat! From Jimmy Page playing the 1959 Fender Telecaster gifted to him by the legendary Jeff Beck and shredding ‘Communication Breakdown’s incredible solo, to Robert Plant’s almost shy stage presence, this must-see performance gives us a fantastic glimpse into the Led Zeppelin experience, as told from the beginning!
+ Communication Breakdown lyrics +
Hey girl, stop what you’re doin’
Hey girl, you’ll drive me to ruin
I don’t know what it is that I like about you but I like it a lot
Won’t ya let me hold you? Let me feel your lovin’ charms
Communication breakdown
It’s always the same
Having a nervous breakdown
Drive me insane
Hey girl, I got something I think you ought to know
Hey babe, I wanna tell you that I love you so
I wanna hold you in my arms, yeah
I’m never gonna let you go ’cause I like your charms
Communication breakdown
It’s always the same
Having a nervous breakdown
Drive me insane
Oh, suck
Communication breakdown
It’s always the same
Having a nervous breakdown
Drive me insane, yeah
Communication breakdown
(I want you to love me all night)
Communication breakdown
(I want you to love me, whoa, ah, whoa, oh)
Communication breakdown
(I want you to love me, I want you to love)
Communication breakdown
(I want you to love me, yeah, I want you to love)
Communication breakdown
