Fredz fans are thanked for 20 years of loyalty
They may not quite be the real deal, but they have enjoyed levels of success that most bands can only dream off.
And Led Zeppelin tribute stars Fred Zeppelin thanked their loyal followers for their years of support when they descended the stairway to heaven to return to one of their spiritual homes as part of celebrations to mark their landmark 20th anniversary.
Fred Zeppelin, described by one fan as 'more of a tribute than an imitation' of the famous rockers, took to the stage at The Kingsford in Wolverley, near Kidderminster, 17 years after their first performance there.
Although they were hoping that local Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant would be there for the, the man himself did not make an appearance.
Their second anniversary gig, in which the 'Fredz' play the real band's own Celebration Day set, will take place at Stourbridge's River Rooms on May 31 after originally playing there in their founding year, 1993.
Drummer Steve Black, aged 57, from Lower Gornal, said: "We are trying to do all the gigs we did when we first started.
"We played The Kingsford around 17 years ago, and again about 12 years ago. Doing this for 20 years has been fantastic, considering any band has got a shelf life of about three years. It's the people that follow us around that make it. It's like a social event."
Once voted in the top 10 best live bands in a Kerrang! reader poll, the current Fred Zeppelin line-up is completed by fellow founder Keith Jenkins, aged 50, from Sutton Coldfield, Steven Gale, 57, from Nottingham, and newest member Elliot Gavin, 27, from Aldridge.
Keith said: "This anniversary is unbelievable, we didn't think it would last 12 months. We kept saying we would give it another 12 months, then another, and we kept going. It's amazing." Although the older members said they weren't sure whether they could do another two decades, youngster Elliot, who followed the band from the age of 14, was more confident.
He said: "I've got another 20 years in me. It's a lot of pressure to think I have to keep the flame burning."
Fans new and old travelled to The Kingsford to see the band play, including Eve Doyle, from Redditch, who has been following them for 10 years.
She said: "I was a Led Zeppelin fan originally, and Fred Zeppelin are not like some tributes as they don't dress up and pretend to be the real people.
"They just like the music and play it well, they are more of a tribute than an imitation. I've seen other tribute bands and and Fred Zeppelin are the best."
