John Bonham 's drumming , played on a Ludwig kit , was recorded in the lobby of Headley Grange using two Beyerdynamic M 160 microphones which were hung up a flight of stairs ; output from these were passed to a pair of Helios F760 compressor/limiters . A Binson Echorec , a delay effects unit , was also used . Portions of the song were recorded at a different tempo , then slowed down , explaining the " sludgy " sound , particularly on the harmonica and guitar solos . It was the only song on the album that was mixed at Sunset Sound in Hollywood , California ( the rest being remixed in London ) . Page identifies the panning on the song 's ending as one of his favourite mixes " when everything starts moving around except for the voice , which remains stationary . " The song was difficult to recreate live ; the band only played it a few times in the early stages of their 1975 U.S. Tour
1975 U.S. Tour
Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1975
When the Levee Breaks