Led Zeppelin returns with rocking London reunion

By Mike Collett-White

LONDON (Reuters) - British band Led Zeppelin blasted their way through more than two hours of high-octane rock and roll on Monday, turning back time on a night of passion and nostalgia.

The quartet had a crowd of around 20,000 at London's 02 Arena calling for more at the end of 16 tracks ranging from their most famous numbers to less familiar fare.

Many fans went away ecstatic, some even saying Led Zeppelin sounded better than in their hell-raising heyday of the 1970s.

"I saw them a couple of times in the 70s, and I think they were actually better," said John, a balding man in his 50s. "The quality of the sound was so crap back then."

There were none of the tight trousers and open shirts of the old days and the instrumentalists were largely static through the non-stop set.

But lead singer Robert Plant, 59, strutted his way through "Good Times Bad Times" to kick off one of the most eagerly-anticipated concerts in recent years.

"In the days of my youth; I was told what it was to be a man; Now I've reached the age; I've tried to do all those things the best I can; No matter how I try; I find my way to do the same old jam," Plant sang to a crowd cheering every bar and beat.

A grey-haired Jimmy Page, 63, reminded the world why he is considered one of the lead guitar greats, while John Paul Jones, 61, showed his versatility jumping from bass to keyboards.