Zeppelin Mysteries Hosted by Steve A. Jones

[The Rover]

I don't know that this is a "mystery"..... but, we all know the Starship came into use beginning for for the 1973 Tour.

But what I want details on, is, how did the members of Led Zeppelin get from one city to another, when they toured the US in 1970, 1971, and 1972 ? ? You can talk 1969 also, but I'm most interested in 1970 and 1971....

Edited June 21, 2008 by The Rover

[MadScreamingGallery]

I don't know that this is a "mystery"..... but, we all know the Starship came into use beginning for for the 1973 Tour.

But what I want details on, is, how did the members of Led Zeppelin get from one city to another, when they toured the US in 1970, 1971, and 1972 ? ? You can talk 1969 also, but I'm most interested in 1970 and 1971....

Rover, I don't have any specific details (e.g., airlines, flight numbers, rental car companies, etc.) and I am speaking strictly from memory (I don't have any articles to cite) but as far as I can recall, during the pre-73 tour years the band flew commercial airlines (e.g., American, TWA, etc.) from one U.S. city to another and, in the pre-limo, pre-police escort days, they got around in rental cars (e.g., Crown Victorias, LTDs, etc.). I think that, right before the Starship came into use, in the earlier weeks of the '73 tour, they traveled around in a Falcon jet. Again, these are only my recollections.

[MadScreamingGallery]

I have a question based upon a wager that I have with a friend: After the '77 tour, did John Bonham ever return to the U.S.? If so, what year(s) and what cities did he visit and why?

[SteveAJones]

After the '77 tour, did John Bonham ever return to the U.S.? If so, what year(s) and what cities did he visit and why?

No, absolutely not. He left the United States on July 26th 1977 for England with Dennis Sheehan and Robert Plant and never returned.

On Feb 15th 1978 the case for the assault charges brought against Bonham, Grant, Bindon and Cole in Oakland was heard…all incurred suspended sentences and fines.

They were not present...they were all represented by an attorney.

[lzfan715]

Do you think they would have returned eventually. I know concerts were planned for America in '80, so how would they have gotten around that?

[The Rover]

Rover, I don't have any specific details (e.g., airlines, flight numbers, rental car companies, etc.) and I am speaking strictly from memory (I don't have any articles to cite) but as far as I can recall, during the pre-73 tour years the band flew commercial airlines (e.g., American, TWA, etc.) from one U.S. city to another and, in the pre-limo, pre-police escort days, they got around in rental cars (e.g., Crown Victorias, LTDs, etc.). I think that, right before the Starship came into use, in the earlier weeks of the '73 tour, they traveled around in a Falcon jet. Again, these are only my recollections.

When Zep came through Dallas in August of 1971, Robert made remark onstage alluding to "getting back on the bis" and I thought he meant that they were riding a bus to the next tour date. I suppose when it came time to go to the west coast, that they surely would fly (1st Class), instead of making a 1,000 - 2,000 mile trip.

[Cactus]

Do you think they would have returned eventually. I know concerts were planned for America in '80, so how would they have gotten around that?

As the sentences were suspended they would probably have been put on a good behaviour bond. I have never heard that any of them were refused entry back into the US at any time.

Did Grant, Cole or Bindon ever go back?

[SteveAJones]

As the sentences were suspended they would probably have been put on a good behaviour bond. I have never heard that any of them were refused entry back into the US at any time.

Did Grant, Cole or Bindon ever go back?

Yes, there was no reason to believe they would ever be refused entry and certainly they planned to return in 1980.

Richard Cole was quite likely the first to return, as he spent some time with Jimmy in

Los Angeles when Jimmy was on the ARMS Tour (December 1983).

Peter Grant definitely returned. He attended Bad Company's May 15th 1989 concert at the Selland Arena in Fresno, CA and even signed autographs for fans waiting outside while walking back to the tour bus.

I don't think John Bindon ever returned to the US.

[SteveAJones]

Rover, I don't have any specific details (e.g., airlines, flight numbers, rental car companies, etc.) and I am speaking strictly from memory (I don't have any articles to cite) but as far as I can recall, during the pre-73 tour years the band flew commercial airlines (e.g., American, TWA, etc.) from one U.S. city to another and, in the pre-limo, pre-police escort days, they got around in rental cars (e.g., Crown Victorias, LTDs, etc.). I think that, right before the Starship came into use, in the earlier weeks of the '73 tour, they traveled around in a Falcon jet. Again, these are only my recollections.

Your memory is essentially correct, and it was on June 2nd 1973 that Jimmy and Peter Grant flew from LAX to San Francisco for the Kezar Stadium concert aboard a United Airlines commerical flight on account of Jimmy's recurring fear of flying in Led Zeppelin's small private jet. This incident quite possibly convinced Peter Grant to proceed with leasing The Starship, which they began using in July 1973 following their tour break.

[marolyn]

His name is Scott Matthews. He's from Wolverhampton. Wonderful artist. Has an album out called Passing Stranger. Highly recommend it.

thanks ninelives!!! i'll check it out....

[ro_a]

Hi Steve, I was looking for a place to discreetly post info about a Zeppelin tune I've never heard before. I won't link direct until I get permission, but if you search Youtube for Led Zeppelin, posted today, and maybe include Bangor as a search term, you hear it.. Is this pre Wanton? Sounds like 1974, and they never directly play Wanton riffs but I hear a relationship, maybe you will too. What is this? Hope it's a suitable mystery.

[SteveAJones]

Hi Steve, I was looking for a place to discreetly post info about a Zeppelin tune I've never heard before. I won't link direct until I get permission, but if you search Youtube for Led Zeppelin, posted today, and maybe include Bangor as a search term, you hear it.. Is this pre Wanton? Sounds like 1974, and they never directly play Wanton riffs but I hear a relationship, maybe you will too. What is this? Hope it's a suitable mystery.

Yes, I first heard this when it surfaced about 20 years ago. I have always been of the

opinion it is quite likely an early, slowly evolving version of The Wanton Song. However, there are others who have voiced their opinion it was meant to stand as a separate track and they accept the fictitious title 'Take Me Home' without any qualms.

[beatbo]

this is a kick ass tune. they won't let you post it. i think this was stolen from page many years ago.

[MadScreamingGallery]

No, absolutely not. He left the United States on July 26th 1977 for England with Dennis Sheehan and Robert Plant and never returned.

On Feb 15th 1978 the case for the assault charges brought against Bonham, Grant, Bindon and Cole in Oakland was heard…all incurred suspended sentences and fines.

They were not present...they were all represented by an attorney.

Thanks for confirming that. When I told her that I didn't think Bonzo ever returned to the U.S., I didn't connect it to the Oakland assaults. I just assumed that he was busy with his family back home in England.

[MadScreamingGallery]

When Zep came through Dallas in August of 1971, Robert made remark onstage alluding to "getting back on the bis" and I thought he meant that they were riding a bus to the next tour date. I suppose when it came time to go to the west coast, that they surely would fly (1st Class), instead of making a 1,000 - 2,000 mile trip.

I don't know where they went after the Dallas concert but if they rode on the roadies bus (or van) out to that ranch that might have been what Robert was alluding to. Other than what you've told me, I really don't know anything about the band's concert days in Texas.

Your memory is essentially correct, and it was on June 2nd 1973 that Jimmy and Peter Grant flew from LAX to San Francisco for the Kezar Stadium concert aboard a United Airlines commerical flight on account of Jimmy's recurring fear of flying in Led Zeppelin's small private jet. This incident quite possibly convinced Peter Grant to proceed with leasing The Starship, which they began using in July 1973 following their tour break.

Thanks.

I thought the plane trip was from SF to LA. The band was late getting started at the Forum and I thought that was the reason for the concert starting late - they were waiting for Jimmy and Peter Grant to arrive.

[swandown]

Hi Steve, I was looking for a place to discreetly post info about a Zeppelin tune I've never heard before. I won't link direct until I get permission, but if you search Youtube for Led Zeppelin, posted today, and maybe include Bangor as a search term, you hear it.. Is this pre Wanton? Sounds like 1974, and they never directly play Wanton riffs but I hear a relationship, maybe you will too. What is this? Hope it's a suitable mystery.

Definitely an early rehearsal of "Wanton Song" (with some elements of "Custard Pie"), from Headley Grange in 1973. Some bootlegs give it the title "Take Me Home", but that's a case of the bootleggers mixing up the lyrics from a different track from the same sessions.

(search YouTube for mg4150's "In The Morning" and you'll hear where the "Take Me Home" lyrics came from.)

[SteveAJones]

I thought the plane trip was from SF to LA. The band was late getting started at the Forum and I thought that was the reason for the concert starting late - they were waiting for Jimmy and Peter Grant to arrive.

They had to resort to a last minute commercial flight from LAX to San Fran. My source

is the incomparable Bill Graham, who had the uncomfortable task of devising an excuse

to tell the crowd. He settled upon words to the effect of "Jimmy's delayed with getting his double-neck tuned just right so they can perform a terrific concert for you today".

The Forum show, the last on that leg of the tour, was the following day. It may have

started late as well but I have no confirmation of that readily available at the moment.

[SteveAJones]

I don't know where they went after the Dallas concert but if they rode on the roadies bus (or van) out to that ranch that might have been what Robert was alluding to. Other than what you've told me, I really don't know anything about the band's concert days in Texas.

I'm looking for confirmation of the date Zeppelin attended a Slade concert in Dallas and pelted them with vegetables. This was undoubtedly on May 17th, 20th or 21st 1973.

[ally]

Thanks for confirming that. When I told her that I didn't think Bonzo ever returned to the U.S., I didn't connect it to the Oakland assaults. I just assumed that he was busy with his family back home in England.

Am I correct in the fact that Bonzo was quite nervous about returning to the USA for the scheduled 1980 tour. Was there a sense of pay back in the air ?

[SteveAJones]

Am I correct in the fact that Bonzo was quite nervous about returning to the USA for the scheduled 1980 tour. Was there a sense of pay back in the air ?

Bonzo's self-confidence in his abilities as a percussionist seemed to be a recurring source of anxiety for him, but so far as I know there wasn't anything specifically troubling to him about returning to the USA, with the exception of being away from

his family for a month. There were no West Coast dates scheduled for that first leg

of the tour so he as well as the others would have known in advance they would not

be returning to California that Autumn.

[ally]

Bonzo's self-confidence in his abilities as a percussionist seemed to be a recurring source of anxiety for him, but so far as I know there wasn't anything specifically troubling to him about returning to the USA, with the exception of being away from

his family for a month. There were no West Coast dates scheduled for that first leg

of the tour so he as well as the others would have known in advance they would not

be returning to California that Autumn.

Thanks for that. I can remember , just barely all the rumors that were surrounding the band at the time. Bonzo seemed to be the focus of so much attention when the 1980 tour was announced. We all thought that in some way payback would be applied. Probably just a Vancouver thing

[The Rover]

Your memory is essentially correct, and it was on June 2nd 1973 that Jimmy and Peter Grant flew from LAX to San Francisco for the Kezar Stadium concert aboard a United Airlines commerical flight on account of Jimmy's recurring fear of flying in Led Zeppelin's small private jet. This incident quite possibly convinced Peter Grant to proceed with leasing The Starship, which they began using in July 1973 following their tour break.

Any Pictures of this small prvate Zeppelin jet ? ? ? Did it have Zeppelin markings on the outside ? ? ? I had heard that "Zeps' plane" was spotted at Dallas Love Field around the time of their date here in 1973 in May. Is it possible the Starship was used before July? Was the Starship being prepped in any way at any facilites at Dallas Love Field before July ? ?

Edited June 26, 2008 by The Rover

[rdobirdman]

Sometime during 1989 Robert Plant joined The Stray Cats onstage for their encore at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. The unsolved mystery is: ON WHICH EXACT DATE WAS THIS CONCERT HELD? WHAT SONG OR SONGS DID ROBERT PLANT PERFORM WITH THEM?

Robert sang Little Sister with the Stray Cats at Hammersmith, sorry but I don't remember the exact date.

[SteveAJones]

Robert sang Little Sister with the Stray Cats at Hammersmith, sorry but I don't remember the exact date.

Thanks for the info via your first post, rdobirdman; I'm humbled. Welcome to the forum.

[rdobirdman]

Thanks for the info via your first post, rdobirdman; I'm humbled. Welcome to the forum.

You're very welcome. I was at the Plant/Krauss show at the Greek the other night and somebody mentioned this site, so I thought I'd check it out. I don't know if it's been discussed here much but back in the early '80s I attended the taping of " A Midsummer Night's Tube" a special edition of the UK rock show "The Tube" featuring Robert, which never aired, do you know if it ever saw the light of day via bootleg or anything?