AboutMike Caldwell Expertise Fortunately, or unfortunately, there are no Led Zeppelin questions I can't answer. My immediate specialty (or proclivity as it may be) has to do with concert performances and lyrical interpretations.
Experience Countless hours of biographical research and personal interaction with relevant individuals. Avid contributor to Led Zeppelin newsgroups since 1997 (check Google groups!)
Publications Bullseye News Magazine. The Vapid Voice.
Question Hi, on the credits of the Zep DVD there's footage of John Bohnam hitting a flaming gong, can you tell where when and why is he doing that and on which song did he put his gong on fire?
Answer Hi
The "flaming gong" spectacle was a particular component of the grand finale of the last shows from the 1973 tour. It was the closing to "Whole Lotta Love". The footage you would have been seeing was from Madison Square Garden, New York City, late July of 1973 - the closing shows from that tour. They suddenly wanted flashy endings to their shows near the end of the tour, to the point of having flaming gongs, and in prior shows, even African dancers coming out. They wanted to make a big spectacle of the close of the concert, and it had a little bit to do with the fact that film crews were going to be capturing footage for what would ultimately be "The Song Remains The Same" film.
