Get ready to relive the magic of Led Zeppelin every Wednesday night with the Get the Led Out Live radio show on Live Jam! This special show features rare and all-live recordings of one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Tune in for a deep dive into Led Zeppelin’s legendary live performances, showcasing the raw energy, improvisation, and unparalleled musicianship that made their concerts iconic.
Each week, Get the Led Out Live brings you live tracks, bootlegs, and exclusive performances that you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether it’s a previously unreleased live recording or a hidden gem from Zeppelin’s extensive concert history, this show is a must-listen for any true fan of the band. From their earliest performances to their stadium-filling concerts, experience Led Zeppelin as you’ve never heard them before.
Don’t miss this chance to hear Led Zeppelin in their prime, with epic solos, extended jams, and all the thrilling moments that made their live shows unforgettable. It’s all about capturing the essence of their live sound, from the thunderous drums of John Bonham to the virtuosic guitar of Jimmy Page and the unforgettable vocals of Robert Plant. Tune in tonight and every Wednesday to Get the Led Out Live—the ultimate way to celebrate the legacy of Led Zeppelin.
Bob Ludwig’s Test Pressing of Led Zeppelin II at Auction
In a monumental moment for Led Zeppelin collectors and audiophiles alike, Bob Ludwig’s original test pressing of Led Zeppelin II is now up for auction, with bidding ending in just two weeks. This is the very same first cut that became one of the most sought-after versions of the album.
For those who don’t know, Bob Ludwig was the mastering engineer responsible for the original pressing of Led Zeppelin II. Ludwig’s initial cut, which he made for the first pressing, contained a dynamic and bass-heavy sound that became legendary for its clarity and punch. However, the story behind the RL cut is one of the most fascinating in vinyl history.
The test pressing of Led Zeppelin II was sent to various people for review, including Ahmet Ertegun’s niece, who tried to play the record on her kiddie phonograph. The album was so loud and full of bass that it wouldn’t even play on her basic turntable. Concerned that it wouldn’t play on most standard turntables, Atlantic Records decided to recall the original pressing and re-cut the album, making it less bass-heavy and compressing the dynamics. What followed was the more commonly known version of Led Zeppelin II, which became the standard issue for decades.
However, a number of copies of the original RL cut made it out into the world. Over time, the myth of the “RL” version grew, especially as vinyl collectors began noticing the “RL” inscription in the dead wax of the record. Audiophiles and collectors would eventually discover that the RL cut was vastly superior in sound quality to the re-cut version that was mass-produced, sparking a high demand for original pressings.
The question still remains: were the original test pressings recalled and destroyed? Or were they left to be distributed without anyone knowing? And why does the RL cut sound so much better than the rest of the pressings? Regardless, the RL version is still considered the holy grail of Led Zeppelin II pressings by many fans.
Bob Ludwig’s test pressing of the album is now up for Heritage Auction, where Led Zeppelin fans and collectors can place bids on this incredibly rare piece of music history. The auction began around November 4th, and with only two weeks remaining, the bidding is sure to intensify as fans scramble to get their hands on this legendary test pressing.
Despite the confusion over terms like “hot mix” or “hot cut,” the test pressing being auctioned is indeed a “hot cut”, meaning it was the first mastering done by Ludwig before the album was re-cut. For fans and audiophiles, this is an opportunity to own a truly one-of-a-kind version of Led Zeppelin II, the sound that has made audiophiles across the world nearly faint with joy when played on the right equipment.
This test pressing is not just a piece of vinyl, but a rare treasure that tells the story of Led Zeppelin’s impact on music and sound recording history. And for those who have never heard the RL cut, it’s a listening experience that will open your ears to what many believe to be the definitive version of Led Zeppelin II.
So, if you’re a Led Zeppelin fan or a vinyl enthusiast, this is your chance to own a piece of rock history. Tell your Led Zeppelin-loving friends to check out the auction and maybe even make a bid before it’s too late. You won’t find a rarer, more authentic piece of Zeppelin history than this!