Hello everyone,
I was 14 years old, and it was August 22, 1970. I went to the concert alone. None of my stupid friends were enough into music to want to go. It was a pilgrimage for me, so I didn't care if I went with someone, or alone. I had missed getting to see The Beatles in 1964, when, at 8, my parents refused to let me go. The neighbors across the street went however.
I made a vow to myself, that if a band I liked as much The Beatles ever came along, that I would go and see them live, come hell or high water. And that occasion came in 1970. I discovered Led Zeppelin in October of 1969, a few weeks after I turned 14. Although Zeppelin played in Dallas in early 1970, I was not aware of that show.
But it was by chance that I heard about the August 22nd show in Ft. Worth, in a shoe store, that advertised the concert with a drawing for tickets. I didn't waste time on the drawing, but immediately ordered a ticket, by Mail Order, through Preston Ticket Agency of Dallas. I knew that when I had that ticket in my hand, that I WAS going to that show, even if I had to hitchhike to get there! I suppose that statement is what convinced my father to offer to drive me to the show, and, pick me up from the show.
This was my first rock concert ever. I had a seat in the upper balcony, on the right side of the arena, as you looked toward the stage. The first song they opened with was "Heartbreaker," which was the very first Led Zeppelin I ever listened to on LZ II, the first LZ album I ever bought.
There was a lot of "second hand" smoke in the arena that night. The band was on fire. It was a Golden Show. The highlights after "Heartbreaker" were "Ramble On", "Bring It On Home", "Thank You", and the big number of the night, "Whole Lotta Love."
When I got home that night, I put on the headphones, and listened to LZ II. The Bar was set high for my concert going experiences for the next 20 years and beyond.
