Led Zeppelin have played their first concert in 19 years, before thousands of fans at London's 02 arena.
Led Zeppelin have played their first concert in 19 years, before nearly 20,000 fans at London's 02 arena.
The 90-minute performance opened with Good Times Bad Times, the first track of their debut album.
Their set, lasting about two hours, opened with Good Times Bad Times, the first track of their debut album.
More than one million people had taken part in a ballot for the 9,000 pairs of tickets available for the show.
Original band members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones were joined on stage by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham.
Original band members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones were joined on stage by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham.
Geoff Jones, one of the fans lucky enough to obtain a ticket, said: "I have not been able to sleep for days.
More than one million people had taken part in a ballot for the 9,000 pairs of tickets available for Monday's show.
"For me it's kind of like that Christmas feeling where you know Santa Claus is coming and you're like a child waiting for the biggest present you've ever waited for in your whole life."
Air guitars
Plant told the crowd the reunion had meant a lot to the band members.
They had been through "thousands and thousands of emotions" together during rehearsals, he said.
"We did it, Ahmet," he said after Stairway To Heaven - a reference to Ahmet Ertegun, the Atlantic Records founder who died last year and to whom the concert was dedicated.
Monday's show opened with news footage comparing the impact of Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, before a dazzling light show started.
Monday's show opened with news footage comparing the impact of Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, before a dazzling light show started.
Tickets have been fetching huge sums on eBay
Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant (left) and Jimmy Page played at Live Aid
The band, who have sold an estimated 300m albums, performed in memory of late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun.
The band then launched into a set featuring both new and old songs, with 59-year-old singer Plant strutting across the stage to the accompaniment of air guitars from the audience.
In an attempt to beat touts, fans were told they would not get a pass unless they presented not only photo ID, but also the credit card they used to book their tickets and the confirmation code they received at the time.
In two moments redolent of the band in its heyday, Plant left the stage during an epic instrumental, and Page began playing his guitar with a violin bow.
The set included Dazed and Confused, Black Dog, and after more than an hour, Stairway to Heaven.
After almost two hours, Page and Jones appeared to fade, but Plant was bursting with energy as they closed with Kashmir, before a cacophonous demand for an encore brought them back to play Whole Lotta Love.
After the performance, fans voiced their approval.
That's probably the one and only time I'll get to see them in the flesh, so tonight is a very special night Mary Wallace
"I couldn't pick out a favourite song," said Terence Baker, 47, from Wimbledon, in south London.
"Every track was brilliant. They still know how to put on a show after all these years."
"Jimmy Page was incredible tonight," added Mary Wallace, 39, from Sunderland.
"If anything, I think his guitar playing has got better over the years.
"That's probably the one and only time I'll get to see them in the flesh, so tonight is a very special night."
In an attempt to beat touts, fans had been told they would not get a pass unless they presented not only photo ID, but also the credit card they used to book their tickets and the confirmation code they received at the time.
Fractured finger
But that did not stop some eBay sellers claiming to have tickets, with some selling for up to £1,800 each.
But that did not stop some eBay sellers claiming to have tickets, with some selling for up to £1,800 each.
BBC Radio 2 listener Kenneth Donnell, from Glasgow, had the most expensive tickets - after paying £83,000 for a pair of passes in an auction for Children In Need.
BBC Radio 2 listener Kenneth Donnell, from Glasgow, had the most expensive tickets - after paying £83,000 for a pair of passes in an auction for Children In Need.
Promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who staged Live Aid and Live 8, said the reunion had probably generated more interest than "any show I've done".
Promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who staged Live Aid and Live 8, said the reunion of the band, who have sold an estimated 300m albums, had probably generated more interest than "any show I've done".
The concert had been postponed from 26 November after guitarist Page fractured a finger.
The concert had been postponed from 26 November after guitarist Page fractured a finger.
Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, Foreigner and Paolo Nutini - all Ertegun signings - also performed at the concert.
Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, Foreigner and Paolo Nutini - all Ertegun signings - also performed at the concert.
Did you go to the Led Zeppelin concert? What did you think of it? Send us your comments using the form below.
Did you go to the Led Zeppelin concert? What did you think of it? Send us your comments using the form below.
