Led Zeppelin
Kennedy Center Honors

"Daddy, but they're old...","Daddy, are you crying?!". Damn it, kids notice everything! Besides, I just had "only" swollen eyes, I can never cry, everything stays inside, right where it hurts.

But here we talk about beautiful things, when events or situations grab my soul pulling it from one side to the other; a tough job for my fragility, but it's beautiful to experience them.

Anyway, I had to answer: "Yes, they are three old men, but fit Matilde, and I'm not crying but I often get emotional, by now you know it". She knows it, because she knows me by now, just as she knows this song and this video.

The four old legends are honored with the "Kennedy Center Honors" (the highest US recognition alongside the more famous "Rock'n'Roll of Fame") annually awarded to those who have made particular contributions to the development of art and culture.

Now, it goes without saying, that I don't give a damn about the awards; it's just an opportunity to see, listen to something of/with/about the four old legends again.

On that evening, Dustin Hoffman, Buddy Guy, David Letterman, Natalia Marakova (Russian ballerina, so they say) are also awarded, quite an impressive lineup.

But it's useless to deny it and pretend, everyone sets the stage for those four old legends. The theater, filled with wigs and costumes that would make any noble Drag Queen envious, is in eager anticipation; after all, many are their age or almost and it's probably an opportunity to go back in time and remember...

"Best Band, Ever" that's how an impassioned and entertaining presentation by Jack Black concludes. Jack is a bit of a madman, he loves rock like few, he has a band and every time he can in the movies he participates in, he includes some great songs ("School Of Rock" is among the Contessina's favorites). Following Black is a video recounting the band's history and their individual stories post-Zeppelin. By the end, the audience is already quite excited, and the musical tributes begin. Foo Fighters, Kid Rock, Lenny Kravitz, Ann and Nancy Wilson from Heart follow in order. The Foo Fighters perform a heavenly "Rock'n'Roll" and in the end, they bow to the stage with the three old men who proudly thank them. Kid Rock (wasn't there anyone else?!?) comes and starts with some absurd screams (?!?); it’s a few seconds of "terror"... Page is shown, and his grin has radically changed: "What the hell are those screams?! Which of MY songs are you ruining, bastard?!" (his problem, I know Jimmy's demons, they don't spare anyone!) Kid immediately amends himself and the excellent band performs a beautiful "Ramble On" (he does what he can). My Devil breathes a sigh of relief, puts the Demons away and we move on. Kravitz is a friend and admirer; he will never forget when Robert willingly backed him up on a tour (yes you heard right, Robert is like that).

Lenny puts his hand on his heart and greets the old legends on stage. His "Whole Lotta Love" is excellently executed. Meanwhile, the audience is in a frenzy; the living sing with tears in their eyes... and even the corpses have come back to life! Jesus Christ has nothing on this!

The three old legends smile, proud and contented to see the effect their music still has on the living and even on the dead.

A separate chapter is deserved by Robert. While Page seems to be orchestrating everything from above with his look (it never changes!), and Jonesy always looks calm, Percy from the beginning seems to be living his own internal drama. His face is distraught and his expression is between incredulity and emotion (and to say, he has been through a lot). But Robert has always been like that; the most sensitive, the most emotionally fragile. The definitive blow is dealt by that "Stairway To Heaven" which has always been a source of love/hate for him. The Wilson sisters know it by heart, they’ve played it countless times. Alongside them enters Jason on the drums with his bowler hat (Bonzostyle tour "cursed" '75) looking at the three uncles moved. Robert was recovering... this is another heavy punch to absorb. The performance is chilling (and I’m not just saying that, it really is!). When then, before the finale, the backdrop rises and a magnificent black choir comes out, all with bowler hats, to remember that fabulous fourth old legend watching them from the sky, the emotion reaches its peak! For Robert, it's too much, by the end he's exhausted, I am worse than him. Damn it, it's a tragedy to be sensitive, fragile, and emotional.

Actually no, it's beautiful.

"Daddy, look, the video is over"... ok, sorry Matilde, I was distracted...

Distracted and moved, always and forever and decades after John, Jimmy, John Paul, and Robert.

Thanks to Heartshapedbox, noble maiden, who every now and then "relives" this emotional experience with me.

I found the DVD on an absurd American website; "made artisanally", they added various material about the band. But who cares, for me it's always an excuse to "be with them".