# The 1970 Led Zeppelin III song that was almost lost forever: “Completely wiped by an engineer”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-1970-led-zeppelin-iii-song-that-was-almost-lost-forever-completely-wiped-by-an-engineer/
- Published: 2026-10-28T17:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T04:31:49+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-1970-led-zeppelin-iii-song-that-was-almost-lost-forever/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- An engineer accidentally erased Bonham’s drum track.
- Page used a synthesiser drone to bridge the gap.
- The repair links ‘Friends’ with ‘Celebration Day’.

## Summary

An engineer accidentally recorded over John Bonham’s drum track while Led Zeppelin were making their 1970 album *Led Zeppelin III*. Jimmy Page salvaged the recording by using a synthesiser drone to bridge the gap, turning a studio mistake into part of the transition between two songs.

The missing rhythm track is heard at the end of ‘Friends’ and the start of ‘Celebration Day’, until the drums return. Page said he noticed the recording light was on the drum track while monitoring through headphones. His experience as a session musician and his knowledge of studio recording helped him repair the mistake without re-recording the performance.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.