Dazed and Confused became the centrepiece for the group at Led Zeppelin concerts, at least through the release of "Whole Lotta Love" from their second album.  When performed live, it was gradually extended in duration (up to 45 minutes by 1975) as a multi-section improvised jam.  Although initially performed in a manner similar to the studio version, some noticeable differences were gradually developed in live performances.  By June 1969, in the section where Page plays guitar with a violin bow, the rest of the band dropped out completely, allowing him to perform a lengthier free-form improvisation.  By 1972, another improvised section had been added between the verses and this.  The fast section was extended to allow changes in dynamics and volume, as well as changing the beat, sometimes segueing in and out of another song altogether.  There was a short jam at the end of the song after the final verse.  In 1972, the song incorporated riffs from the Led Zeppelin songs "The Crunge", and "Walter's Walk", as can be heard on the live album How the West Was Won.  By 1973, the song featured an extended transition before the violin bow solo, which incorporated a melody that would later be used in 1976's "Achilles Last Stand".  Plant sang lyrics from either Scott McKenzie's "San Francisco" or Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock" during this transition.

Bonham was partilcarly amazing on this song, especially while Led Zeppelin were still on their rise to conquering the world.  As more of the traditional blues numbers were dropped from the set in place of more original compositions, this song still gave Bonham the opportunity to throw in all of the fills he'd devised for the 6/8 time signature songs. Performances like the 1969 appearance on Danmark's Radio are legendary, and completely demonstrate why Bonham is worthy of worship.

Favorite version: June 25th, 1972 - L.A Forum (How The West Was Won)