How the Filmmakers of ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’ Earned Jimmy Page’s Trust in a 7-Hour Review Process
Documentary "Becoming Led Zeppelin" Sheds Light on Rock Legends
In a rare move for the famously private band, the founders of Led Zeppelin participated in the new two-hour documentary, Becoming Led Zeppelin. This film stands out as a significant exploration of their journey, featuring contributions from band members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.
Director Bernard MacMahon recounted the rigorous process he underwent to gain Page’s approval for the project. He detailed a memorable encounter in which Page demonstrated his extensive knowledge of the band’s history, recalling the name of Plant’s previous group, Obs-Tweedle, during their early meetings.
“He said, ‘What was the name of Robert’s group that he was playing in when I first met him?’” MacMahon recalled, noting that this question was just one of several that showcased Page’s deep engagement with their history.
During their initial discussion, Page came prepared with a wealth of archival materials, a pivotal moment in the project’s development. "He went to these bags he’d brought by the door, poured the contents over the table, and he’d come with all his diaries going back to 1963," MacMahon said. He reflected that the meeting could have been brief, but instead unfolded into a rich dialogue due to Page’s meticulous preparations.
MacMahon attributes his successful pitch to a longstanding passion for the band that began at age 11, when he first read a book about Led Zeppelin before hearing their music. The band’s story of triumph amidst skepticism from record labels and critics inspired MacMahon and informed his thorough approach to the documentary.
His previous work with co-writer and producer Alison McGurty on American Epic, which focused on the origins of sound recordings, also equipped them for the challenge of uncovering rare material for Becoming Led Zeppelin.
“We like making films where there hasn’t been a film about the subject before and there is very little archive when you start,” MacMahon stated.
For this documentary, archivist Sam Rapallo identified a rare interview recording of the band’s drummer, John Bonham, speaking to Australian radio. After six months of searching, they successfully located the original recording, an emotional find for both Page and Plant.
“It was the first time they had heard their fallen comrade speaking in 40 years, and he’s talking about them and what he thinks of just meeting them,” MacMahon shared, highlighting the poignant moment within the film.
The documentary promises to offer fans a unique insight into the early days of one of rock music’s most iconic bands.
