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.”