Rare footage of Led Zeppelin performing live at their famous Inglewood Forum in Los Angeles on September 4, 1970 has been uncovered and restored after lying in a drawer for half a century. 

Led Zep fan, Eddie Vincent shot the footage on his parents’ home movie camera by sneaking the windup 8mm Kodak Brownie into the venue under the cover of a baggy jacket. 

"I had really great seats," Vincent told Classic Rock. "They were right behind the band. I had seats in the front row, right behind John Bonham's kit. The only problem was that you couldn't really see John because the gong was there, but he came around and chatted to us while they were doing the acoustic set."

Vincent had left the film in a drawer for nearly 50 years, until being inspired to dig it up after watching similar live footage of The Who from 1970, and realizing the value of the rare reel. He shared the footage with bootleg trader John Waters, who said, "My collector's heart was racing. A few days later, the reels arrive and the magic unfolds."

The footage has been matched to audio from the On The Blueberry Hill audio bootleg that was recorded the same night by Led Zeppelin expert and audio synchroniser named Etienne Marchand, to give us a previously unseen look at the legendary rockers’ performing Since I’ve Been Loving You, Thank You, What Is And What Should Never Be, Whole Lotta Love, Some Other Guy and Lemon Song. There are also some incredible organ and theremin solos that have been matched perfectly with the On The Blueberry Hill audio, like long-lost parts of the one puzzle.

Watch below! 

Led Zeppelin at LA Forum September 4, 1970

"To write ourselves into a little bit of Led Zeppelin history is an honour," Waters told Classic Rock. "The music needs to be out there. I know a lot of collectors and traders that don't give their stuff away, and that's a shame to me. Music's to be shared, and today you need it to get away from the crazy world. And if this film brings a lot of people happiness, hey, we did a good job."

GET LED ZEPPELIN ALBUMS, HERE. 

Listen to Led Zeppelin on Spotify:

Listen to Led Zeppelin on Apple Music: