[Oakland Incident?]

Ah, fellow Bay Area concert go'er's from the 70's on here, nice!

From the recordings of the 2 shows, the only differences are that they played a 2nd encore of Black Dog on the first day, and a bit of Mystery Train in the acoustic set on the 2nd day. Otherwise, they were identical, and about the same length, well over 2 hours. But don't worry, I wouldn't have remembered without the bootlegs either! I have no doubt it took them a long time to start, and that the crowd got restless. Crowds used to always get restless, even when there was only 1/2 hour between 2 bands. Hell, they got restless at the first show, and they weren't even that late! I remember hearing it was something like 3 hours for the second show, but I was not there, so I don't know for sure.

Our impression of Graham was just that he was a hardline business guy, and you didn't mess around with him. He competely owned the concert business in the Bay Area, so if you wanted to play out there, you dealt with him. Again, my experiences at the shows were generally good, and he always seemed to have a good relationship with artists. But I'm sure not every one of his employees was so nice. That does suck that you got roughed up at that show. And yes, Cow Palace crowds could be pretty unruly! But I'm sure there are some people on here from other parts of the country who could tell us much worse stories of security at concerts, riot police, massive arrests, etc. We used to hear about them, and be glad we didn't see that crap at the shows we went to.

Yes, I've been here in the bay area since 1969! Still here.....

That bootleg would be interesting to hear! That concert seemed pretty short from my memory LOL! And I remember other poeple saying the same thing. But then again, we were spoiled in those days, and lots of bands played longer than 2 hours. The grateful dead always played for ever! And LZ were known for 3-4 hour concerts.

The time they took to come on the stage that day, was much longer than the normal amount of time. Not 30-45 minutes thats for sure. I thought is was more like 1 1/2 hours or more. A lot of bands were late coming out back then, and no one really cared because everyone was partying and not noticing the time. This time everyone was getting pissed, and Bill G. kept sending people out to entertain us.

Yes, he was a business man alright. He made millions! Smart man, but I don't recall anyone saying he was a nice guy. ;-) But you are right, in that we had it pretty good. No one stopped the drinking, or drugs going on. I remember seeing at one day on the green someone having sex on the stairs! LOL! SEX, DRUGS, AND ROCK AND ROLL!

[Oakland Incident?]

Exactly right, Steve. Standard '77 shows in the traditional way for both Oakland dates, although they did start 45 minutes late on Sunday (the second show).

I was there at the second show, and from my memory, it seemed much longer than a 45 minute wait. The crowd was really getting restless, and Bill Graham came out and was pissed at the crowds reaction. People were starting to throw things, and boo. The concert was also short. They were good, but not what I expected as far as long guitar solos ect. The concert was less than 2 hours if i remember right. There may have only been one small encore, or none. Again, my memory is not what it used to be!

I also went to all the day on the greens and concerts in the Bay Area. For some reason, we hated Bill Graham! I can't remember for the life of me why, other than maybe we thought he was driving ticket prices up or something. But we did not have a good impression of the man.

As for his employees, most were fine, and yes, drugs and alcohol were allowed, but some of the guys were a little rough. Once concert at Cow Palace, I was in the front with my friends. We were 16 and from the heat and smoke I started to pass out. One of the employees that stood between the barrier and the stage, started to lift me over the barrier. I came to, and said, I'm fine, let me go back over. He drug me to the end of the barrier and pushed me out into the crowd!

Cow Palace as always a rough crowd, and not a good place to be a young female alone. So there I was alone in this huge crowd, and no cell phones back then. I was scared and pissed off! So some employees were not nice. ;-) By the way, I did manage to work my way back up to the front and find my friends, and let him know what an ass he was.

[Robert Plant Allison Krauss on TV Tonight]

I think he's talking about a second album with Alison. He had said T Bone and Alison were trying to get him to start working on a second album in January. He seemed alittle overwhelmed with the first album, tour going to start and the 02 coming up at the time of the inteview. So I think he was referring to he may be ready to move forward on another project with Alison and T Bone.

Just my take on it. I really don't think he would say anything about a Zep tour while making Crossroads with Alison. He's seems very dedicated to the project and tour with Alison.

[Robert Plant in People Weekly 1977]

I have a copy of this magazine as well! Its one of my zep treasures for sure! I picked my copy up at a store that carried past magazines and books ect. in Berkeley California in 1977.

[Unexpected Encounters with Band Members Thread]

You are soooooooooooo lucky! I nearly bit my hand off, reading this part!! If Robert would kiss my cheek, I would faint or die because of a heart attack!

LOL! Trust me, we were all in a state of shock and awe. We then were lucky enough to have front row seats, and found out once we got inside that the first row was allowed to stand in front of the stage! So we got to stand right in front of Robert all night! It was a night to remember thats for sure... We should have done some gambling because luck was certainly on our side!

[Keeping Led Zeppelin real]

I think it's too much to ask the world not to blow it out of proportion. That's the nature of the beast. Whether it be capitalism or the media, it's hard not to expect full blown excitement.

...

But in reference to what Robert said, which is the topic here, how do they make it right again?

Robert didn't say it was impossible because he admitted that it worked at the O2. So how do you create this magic again?

Poor wording on my part. Of course the Reunion was huge and was all over the media. What I meant to say was, the expectations afterward got blown out of proportion, that they will get back together as a band, and a full blown tour ect. ect. I am one of those people that hope that they will do something, since I wasn't able to go to see them at the "02" either.

It seems to me Robert isn't saying a definite yes or no because there has been no real decision made at this time. Its on hold for now. And I think we may not hear anything until after his tour with Alison is done.

Also, someone posted something along time ago saying they knew someone on the inside that said, Robert would not tour or do anything with LZ until after he's done with his tour with Alison. And then if they could get together, and still create something new (magic) that then, and only then would he commit to some sort of a tour. Or something to that effect.

It makes perfect sense to me along with what he says in this interview about it having to be fresh, and magical and what it was in the beginning only at a different stage in ones life. Who knows, they may give it a try behind closed doors, and then make an announcement one way or another if there is anywhere else to go with it.

[Keeping Led Zeppelin real]

The reason I said this is because thats exactly what happened on another thread at this forum. I got flamed, called a troll and recieved rank personal E mails just because of my opinion. My gosh, I always say that Plant is the BEST SINGER THAT LZ COULD HAVE EVER HAD. Im sorry if you disagree but I think that Page was the MAIN cog in the wheel of LZ. That does not mean that I dislike Plant. IMHO (this means,"In my humble opinion") I still think that Plant is full of himself. I do agree that he is the greatest rock singer of all time. Why is it that around here disagreement to many means picking a fight?

I think people think Robert is full of himself because he is strong in his convictions. He has LZ's best interest at heart I'm sure. I've been a fan since 1975 and even back then, part of the allure of Led Zeppelin was the unknown, and their unwillingness to make the popular decision. They did what they wanted, and it was about the music. Not to make anyone happy but themselves. They made alot of people happy with their music without trying to, but satisfying everyone was not what they were about, or they would have made the same sort of record over, and over.

Only Robert knows for sure, but I believe Robert is following what he's always done, before LZ, in LZ, and after LZ. And that is exploring new music. He's made a commitment to touring with Alison, and he's happy about it! I'm fine with what ever decision he makes. And I will go see him with Alison.

I cringe at all I've been reading on the boards about them owing the fans a tour ect. Who knows if he reads any of these posts. But I'm sure if he does, it will send him the other direction. People's response to the 02 is exactly what kept him from agreeing to a reunion for years. It got blown out of porportion, and rumors fly. Just a little patience, understanding, and compassion for all of the members would be nice.

Also, having met Robert, I can tell you he is very good to his fans. He went out of his way to convince security to allow me and my friends to come over and chat with him. He was gratious and kind, and a gentlemen. There was nothing pompous or egocentric about him. I'll always be greatful for what he does, and gives to his fans.

[Unexpected Encounters with Band Members Thread]

I've been lucky enough to meet Robert twice. Can't say they were unexpected, but luck was certainly in the cards. First time was in Vegas of "02" the dreamleand tour. My friend and I were lucky enough to borrow a meet N greet sticker from someone who had already been in the M&G . we ran in and managed a quick hello and picture before Robert had to leave to go on stage. He was very sweet, and gracious, and tall!

And the second was in "05" again in Vegas. My friends and I were out front of the hotel he was playing in about an hour before the concert and decided to wondered out back to where the band would enter. To make a long story short, Robert drove up in the black escalade and got out. Security all around him. My friend yelled to Robert asking if he'd sign something for us (which wasn't our stuff, we actually had a present for him instead, but had been asked by some guys to help them get it signed) Robert started toward us, but was stopped by security. He looked at us, shook his head, and pointed at security. We started to walk away disappointed, when security called us back, chasing us. They yelled "come back, he's going to sign for you!" We ran over, he signed the stuff for the other people, we gave him our gift, spoke to him for about 10 minutes, he gave us each a hug, and kiss on the cheek and said he had to go. A true gentlemen.

He really had gone out of his way to let us come over, which speaks for his appreciation of his fans. He was genuinely nice, warm and friendly. He could have blamed it on security, but he went out of his way to convince them to let us come over.

That evening after the concert, which we had front row seats for we went out and ran into Clive Deamer (drummer of strange sensation) and talked to him for hours. Another true gentlemen and nice guy!

[Rehearsal photos]

Did anyone notice that in some pictures Robert is wearing a Tee-shirt, and others he has on a button up brown shirt? Makes me wonder if they had more than one practice concert, or if some were taken before they played in front of people?

Also, just have to say, as hard as it is not being there, I'm a huge fan and have been since 1975. But can't be there either. No funds due to the falling Real Estate market in my area...... But lets just be happy people that this happening!! How can you be depressed when you see their pictures, and how happy they look playing together!

We will get to hear it eventually I'm sure, and we should be thankful that with today's technology we will see pictures, and I'm sure some bootlegs, youtube, ect, ect. Back in the day, we would have none of that. You were either there, or not. So we have a lot to be thankful for! The glass is half full, not half empty! We'll just have to wait longer than the lucky people who are there now. Who knows, maybe we'll get to see them if they do add a few more dates!

[i THOUGHT]

My memory of the time, Led Zeppelin, and the concerts during the 70's in the San Francisco Bay area were great! I became a fan of Zeppelin around "75" a sophomore in high school. There were no MTV, or even much in the news of an rock bands. FM radio stations were the only place to go to listen to rock and roll. They were all underground. The air ways were mostly AM and pop music, with some of the more easy rock bands getting some air time. So there were a couple of FM stations that played Zeppelin. I remember hearing Stair way to heaven first, and loving it! Then after hearing more, was hooked, and then seeing what Robert looked like, I was even more hooked!

We listened to vinyl records, and then 8 track tapes came along! Funny looking at them now, as they were so big, and the sound not that great on an 8 track. When cassettes finally came out, that was cutting edge! I remember scouring the news stands, stores ect. for magazine articles about Zep and other bands I liked. Such as Cream magazine ect. That was the most excitement we got was to read some articles about them, and drool over the pictures, especially of Robert! We also looked for bootlegs, and rare magazines, and records. We used to go to Berkley to a record store called "Rather Ripped Records." They had a bunch of rare vinyl, and old magazines.

My friends and I (there were four to five of us) that once we were able to drive, were at a concert during the summer almost every weekend! Sometimes Friday and Saturday night. In those days, there were no assigned seating. So we would go to the concert and get in line very early. Around noon sometimes or earlier so when they opened the doors we could get to the very front of the stage. While in line (between pipe panel rails to keep the lines in order), everyone was partying. From alcohol to drugs. There were no rules there, no one cared what you did. Lots of alcohol, and pot, but everything else in between. Dealers were walking up and down the lines, offering LSD, and anything else. Not once did I ever see anyone get busted. By the time the doors opened, the line was super long, and everyone was pretty toasted! Once past ticket collectors and security everyone would rush in doors, running, or walking really fast, to get to the front of the stage, and sit down and party some more, until the lights would go down, then everyone would stand up, and push in to get close.

Now on the way in to the arenas, security would frisk you, pat you down, searching for bottles, and alcohol ect. So we used to put our alcohol in baggies, and hide them in our bras, or in our socks. Then we'd buy a soda, and put the alcohol in it. While down in front, people would just pass joints around. Funny we trusted that it was just pot, and nothing that would hurt us. And security never would say anything. My friends and I always managed to get in front, so enjoyed the concerts immensly! We were all not to tall, so most of the guys would always let us stand in front of them.

I was lucky enough to see LZ in "77" in Oakland. It was a Day on the Green concert as they called them back then. It would be in an outdoor coliseum, and they would have 3-5 bands playing usually. Only if I remember right, they may have only had one other band for Zep. Once inside anything went... Sex, drugs and rock n roll! I remember at this particular concert, seeing people having sex on the stairs... Again I was lucky to get up close, and got some great photos from this concert. I still have my ticket stub. $10.50 to see LZ. Can't beat that!

This was also the infamous concert that LZ were an hour and a half late coming out due to the John Bonham, Peter Grant beating up the Bill Graham employee for slapping Peter Grants son before the concert. It was near rioting from the crowd who wanted to see LZ and were getting pissed off. I remember wondering what was going on, and if they were going to come out. But once they took the stage, it was great. Robert in his blue satin pants, was well worth the wait.... The next day when I read in the paper what had happened, it all made sense.

Also, when the movie TSRTS came out, that was the first real glimpse into the band, and their lifes. So that was a huge deal! Nothing like that had been done before. It was playing in a theater about 40 minutes from where I lived. But that didn't stop us. We went every weekend while it was playing there! We saw it 18 times. It was like going to a concert. They would pat you down coming in to the movie theater. They would collect from people drugs, alcohol, and even bongs. You could see them all lined up behing the food counter. They would give them back after the movie. LOL! People would yell, and whistle during the film, like a concert. One night they were having some trouble with the sound, so they turned it down low, and people started throwing things at the screen and booing. It was during Dazed and Confused. So they turned it off to calm people down, who got more upset, and it turned into a little riot! They had to call the police to come in and make everyone leave. Too funny! So thats some of my memories of the "70"s. With all the partying going on, its amazing I can remember any of them!