Gainsbarre Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 I have zee qvestion for you Lez Deppelin experts... I'd like to know how many people made up Led Zep's touring entourage in, say, 1975. How many where there and who were the roadies and who were the techies...who got to wash Robert's costumes and who had to lug JPJ's keyboards around? Zank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyMacQ Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 I have zee qvestion for you Lez Deppelin experts... I'd like to know how many people made up Led Zep's touring entourage in, say, 1975. How many where there and who were the roadies and who were the techies...who got to wash Robert's costumes and who had to lug JPJ's keyboards around? Zank you Congrats - you're almost as dull here as you are in the JPJ.com forums. Quite an accomplishment. Love, Billy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadScreamingGallery Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 I have zee qvestion for you Lez Deppelin experts... I'd like to know how many people made up Led Zep's touring entourage in, say, 1975. How many where there and who were the roadies and who were the techies...who got to wash Robert's costumes and who had to lug JPJ's keyboards around? Zank you Gainsbarre, here is some information about the Zep guys' wardrobe: http://forums.ledzeppelin.com//index.php?s...c=2963&st=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gainsbarre Posted July 4, 2008 Author Share Posted July 4, 2008 Congrats - you're almost as dull here as you are in the JPJ.com forums. Quite an accomplishment. Love, Billy Thank You Billy, And you know where you can shove it and how far up you can shove it too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 I'd like to know how many people made up Led Zep's touring entourage in, say, 1975. How many where there and who were the roadies and who were the techies...who got to wash Robert's costumes and who had to lug JPJ's keyboards around? Well, let's see off the top of my head: The Techs Jimmy - Raymond Thomas Robert - Benji Lefevre Bonzo - Mick Hinton The Roadies Magnet... ------------------------------- Also this courtesy of R-O: There was no wardrobe person or seamstress that I remember travelling with the crew on the '77 tour. I assume Richard Cole arranged for cleaning or repairs of the wardrobe. The band arrived at the venues already dressed in their stage outfits and departed after the show without changing. Even though the crew flew almost everywhere on that tour, there were a couple of times when we travelled on a crew bus (ie. to Tampa). I remember once Raymond T. had the dragon suit (there was only one) - it was hanging in the rear of the bus and still damp. I'm pretty sure it was from Jimmy's sweat and not from being cleaned. It may have been rinsed out and hung up to dry occassionally, but not often enough. It was completely soaked with sweat after each show and somewhat smelly. Robert's bluejeans were always cleaned, pressed and creased probably by the hotel. Bonzo was fond of Showco T-shirts. _________________ Laser Operator - Led Zeppelin crew '77-'79 ----------------------------- I think Knebby started a Zeppelin Entourage thread on this site already so check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 I have zee qvestion for you Lez Deppelin experts... I'd like to know how many people made up Led Zep's touring entourage in, say, 1975. How many where there and who were the roadies and who were the techies...who got to wash Robert's costumes and who had to lug JPJ's keyboards around? Zank you Not sure exactly in terms of numbers. I know the crew was at its biggest in 77. All the members had a instrument technician/personal assistant, so Robert's assistant probably handwashed and drip dried Robert's jeans. I have heard Jimmy's suits were rarely cleaned....*phew* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gainsbarre Posted July 4, 2008 Author Share Posted July 4, 2008 Thanks Steve and Cactus I was just interested in know about the logistics of Led Zep tours, like how many people they had from Showco, lighting operators etc, and whether or not they actually travelled with Zep or they had their own method of transport from gig to gig. I mean they must've had because if the Starship was jetting back to, say, Chicago, after a gig in St Louis, the road crew wouldn't have been able to dismantle the Zep set load it on the plane, and have it set up again at the next gig in time if they were relying on the starship for their transportation needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moffo Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Well, let's see off the top of my head: The Techs Jimmy - Raymond Thomas Robert - Benji Lefevre Bonzo - Mick Hinton The Roadies Magnet... ------------------------------- Also this courtesy of R-O: There was no wardrobe person or seamstress that I remember travelling with the crew on the '77 tour. I assume Richard Cole arranged for cleaning or repairs of the wardrobe. The band arrived at the venues already dressed in their stage outfits and departed after the show without changing. Even though the crew flew almost everywhere on that tour, there were a couple of times when we travelled on a crew bus (ie. to Tampa). I remember once Raymond T. had the dragon suit (there was only one) - it was hanging in the rear of the bus and still damp. I'm pretty sure it was from Jimmy's sweat and not from being cleaned. It may have been rinsed out and hung up to dry occassionally, but not often enough. It was completely soaked with sweat after each show and somewhat smelly. Robert's bluejeans were always cleaned, pressed and creased probably by the hotel. Bonzo was fond of Showco T-shirts. _________________ Laser Operator - Led Zeppelin crew '77-'79 ----------------------------- I think Knebby started a Zeppelin Entourage thread on this site already so check it out. Hi Steve... Excuse my ignorance as i'm still pretty new to this forum and don't know everyone's background, but were you part of the crew or involved with them in some sort of way?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
led zep maniack Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THE STARSHIP JET THEY USED WAS BEERCANNED (SCRAPPED) IN THE EIGHTYS I BELIEVE FOR THE METAL ALSO OTHERS THAT USED THE JET WERE ALICE COOPER, PETER FRAMPTON, AND I BELIEVE A HOTEL IN VEGAS WAS USING IT. FUNNY STORY BONZO TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AREA AT 50,000 FEET TO TAKE A LEAK OUT THE DOOR BEFORE HE WAS STOPPED BY OTHERS ON THE PLANE. FUNNY STORY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knebby Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Well, let's see off the top of my head: The Techs Jimmy - Raymond Thomas Robert - Benji Lefevre Bonzo - Mick Hinton The Roadies Magnet... ------------------------------- Also this courtesy of R-O: There was no wardrobe person or seamstress that I remember travelling with the crew on the '77 tour. I assume Richard Cole arranged for cleaning or repairs of the wardrobe. The band arrived at the venues already dressed in their stage outfits and departed after the show without changing. Even though the crew flew almost everywhere on that tour, there were a couple of times when we travelled on a crew bus (ie. to Tampa). I remember once Raymond T. had the dragon suit (there was only one) - it was hanging in the rear of the bus and still damp. I'm pretty sure it was from Jimmy's sweat and not from being cleaned. It may have been rinsed out and hung up to dry occassionally, but not often enough. It was completely soaked with sweat after each show and somewhat smelly. Robert's bluejeans were always cleaned, pressed and creased probably by the hotel. Bonzo was fond of Showco T-shirts. _________________ Laser Operator - Led Zeppelin crew '77-'79 ----------------------------- I think Knebby started a Zeppelin Entourage thread on this site already so check it out. Magnet wasn't a roadie for them in 1975. I don't think Benji worked for them as far back as then either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THE STARSHIP JET THEY USED WAS BEERCANNED (SCRAPPED) IN THE EIGHTYS I BELIEVE FOR THE METAL ALSO OTHERS THAT USED THE JET WERE ALICE COOPER, PETER FRAMPTON, AND I BELIEVE A HOTEL IN VEGAS WAS USING IT. FUNNY STORY BONZO TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AREA AT 50,000 FEET TO TAKE A LEAK OUT THE DOOR BEFORE HE WAS STOPPED BY OTHERS ON THE PLANE. FUNNY STORY. Yes, The Starship was scrapped. The Allman Brothers also used it for touring. I don't think it had any connection to a Vegas casino as that would be their next airliner - Ceasar's Chariot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Magnet wasn't a roadie for them in 1975. I don't think Benji worked for them as far back as then either. Yes, now that you mention it wasn't Robert's monitor tech in '75 named Rusty? Benji was brought in sometime later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Hi Steve... Excuse my ignorance as i'm still pretty new to this forum and don't know everyone's background, but were you part of the crew or involved with them in some sort of way?? I wasn't part of the crew. I'm an archivist, researcher, biographer and so on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knebby Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Surely you're a fan and collector Steve? What biographies have you written? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Thanks Steve and Cactus I was just interested in know about the logistics of Led Zep tours, like how many people they had from Showco, lighting operators etc, and whether or not they actually travelled with Zep or they had their own method of transport from gig to gig. I mean they must've had because if the Starship was jetting back to, say, Chicago, after a gig in St Louis, the road crew wouldn't have been able to dismantle the Zep set load it on the plane, and have it set up again at the next gig in time if they were relying on the starship for their transportation needs. You're correct, the Starship was primarily used for 'talent' transport - not gear or crew. With all the interior modifications you wouldn't have fit too many on there anyway. I assume the gear would have been trucked from city to city, including the stage/lighting/audio gear. The crew would have numbered in the area of 50 - 70 people on the '75/'77 tours. I'm only speculating here but I would assume with the unionisation of entertainment crews, there would be a local crew engaged to do various jobs at each location. Some unions can be very strict with their rules, ie. a truck will arrive, and the gear inside cannot be touched or moved by anyone other than the local union crew. The spotlights cannot be operated by anyone other than a local operator etc. FUNNY STORY BONZO TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AREA AT 50,000 FEET TO TAKE A LEAK OUT THE DOOR BEFORE HE WAS STOPPED BY OTHERS ON THE PLANE. FUNNY STORY. Commercial jets don't fly at 50,000ft. 30,000 - 38,000 ft is the standard cruising altitude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeptangerine Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 I remember once Raymond T. had the dragon suit (there was only one) - it was hanging in the rear of the bus and still damp. I'm pretty sure it was from Jimmy's sweat and not from being cleaned. It may have been rinsed out and hung up to dry occassionally, but not often enough. It was completely soaked with sweat after each show and somewhat smelly. This is a fascinating! I thought everyone knew silk was dry cleaned only; no wonder Jimmy's stage suits looked tighter some nights than others if they were "hung out to dry." Dirty little secrets... they always come back to haunt you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargroves Tangie Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 I do work on biographical material, Jimmy primarily. I've not published any books of my own as of yet but I have collaborated with others on theirs. If Jimmy ever decides to sit down and collaborate with someone on his biography, it would be great if you were the one he chooses. I think you would do an excellent job with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMAZONIC Posted July 5, 2008 Share Posted July 5, 2008 I have heard Jimmy's suits were rarely cleaned....*phew* Yes, that's right. I think there was a post from Steve confirming that. Jimmy 's gorgeous dragon suits were sweat drenched from the previous shows, apparently... NO dry cleaning service available at the hotels where they used to stay???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatbo Posted July 5, 2008 Share Posted July 5, 2008 If Jimmy ever decides to sit down and collaborate with someone on his biography, it would be great if you were the one he chooses. I think you would do an excellent job with it. i'd buy and read a book steve wrote.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gainsbarre Posted July 5, 2008 Author Share Posted July 5, 2008 I'm only speculating here but I would assume with the unionisation of entertainment crews, there would be a local crew engaged to do various jobs at each location. Some unions can be very strict with their rules, ie. a truck will arrive, and the gear inside cannot be touched or moved by anyone other than the local union crew. The spotlights cannot be operated by anyone other than a local operator etc. Ah yes of course, that's right, I forgot about the unionized crews...Pink Floyd had an incident with one at MSG in '77 I remember Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StringBender Posted July 5, 2008 Share Posted July 5, 2008 If Jimmy ever decides to sit down and collaborate with someone on his biography, it would be great if you were the one he chooses. I think you would do an excellent job with it. Trust me, that will never happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatbo Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Ah yes of course, that's right, I forgot about the unionized crews...Pink Floyd had an incident with one at MSG in '77 I remember yep, tatse has it exactly like that. local loads in and out, runs previously determined slots in the lighting plot, etc. this reminds me of the 'brown m&m' addendum to the van halen riders and contract. because of the weight of their stage, a rider was inserted about dressing room food (m&M's, no brown) right in the middle of the weight requirements for the arena floor. if there were brown m&m,s, then the crew and the band knew the weight requirements had not been read, and that there might be a collapse possibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StringBender Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 ^^^ IGNORED. Is that supposed to hurt my feelings? Funny, that I'm being "ignored" yet you still see my posts......very funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake of Shadows Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 I do work on biographical material, Jimmy primarily. I've not published any books of my own as of yet but I have collaborated with others on theirs. When and if I should seek publishing I would hope to do something akin to Peter Guralnick's 'Elvis - Last Train to Memphis' or 'Rolling With The Stones' by Bill Wyman. Books are problematic, really, unless one is prepared for numerous revisions. As Jimmy says, "they're all inaccurate, you know". I can say this much, you need not worry about a catastrophe such as Neil Daniels' 'Robert Plant' ever coming from me. Oh, and I'm not a fan. Of what, Led Zeppelin? I can't stand him! If Jimmy ever decides to sit down and collaborate with someone on his biography, it would be great if you were the one he chooses. I think you would do an excellent job with it. i'd buy and read a book steve wrote.. StargrovesTangie & beatbox - I'm humbled by your posts, truly. Hope I can always live up to your expectations. -------------------------------------------- What's happening with your autobiography? I haven't started it yet. If I can get some of the deal points sorted out -- it's not so much about money as about how much the book would cost to produce if I were to decide to fill it with black and white pictures of my dear old dad or something -- I'll probably start early next year, and it'll take me two years. The term autobiography is a bit mischievous; what I'm really doing is writing about my life and my music. About life and music in general. It's going to be an artist's view of the last fifty years and what's been going on with music in that time. I don't pretend to be an arch academic musicologist, but my journey is a unique one, and does give me a very special and acute view of where pop music came from and what it means. I hope this book will elucidate a lot of that stuff simply by me telling my story without any frills. Just talking about my grandparents and my parents and the music that they listened to, and what they did when they were young, and my life and how I grew up and what I did when I was young and the people that I met and then suddenly hey ho here we are. I'm looking forward to it. I've been gathering materials for it, most of which has been a bit of a waste of time, but it's all good memory-jogging stuff. Pete Townsend (1996) Is this your way of saying that you're collaborating with Townsend on his autobiography? If not, then please explain because I'm a bit confused. Thanks. ~~~~~~~ ...and Beatbo... interesting bit on the M&Ms. I guess sometimes 'crazy shit' ain't so crazy after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Is this your way of saying that you're collaborating with Townsend on his autobiography? If not, then please explain because I'm a bit confused. Thanks. ~~~~~~~ ...and Beatbo... interesting bit on the M&Ms. I guess sometimes 'crazy shit' ain't so crazy after all. It's my way of saying an enormous amount of research work goes into publishing a worthwhile biography. In Pete's case, he himself was incapable of his autobiography. Now, twelve years later: NEW PETE TOWNSHEND BIOGRAPHY PUBLISHED**** - Q magazine "Who Are You: The Life of Pete Townshend", an exhaustive, critically acclaimed study of the life and career of the legendary guitarist and composer, has been published by Omnibus Press and within the next few days will be widely available everywhere except the U.S. Author Mark Wilkerson spent ten years researching and writing the 600+ page book, and conducted exclusive interviews with Pete Townshend and several others, including Simon Townshend, 'Irish' Jack Lyons and Jon Astley. Wilkerson's book explores Townshend's West London roots, reminds us of the excitement he generated with The Who in those early days and brings his story right up to date with many fascinating stops on the way. The book includes dozens of photographs and a foreword by Eddie Vedder. It was edited by Anyway Anyhow Anywhere co-author Andy Neill. ----------------- Insofar as the brown m&m's provision in Van Halen's rider, David Lee Roth discusses it in greater detail in his exceptional best selling autobiography 'Crazy From The Heat' published in 1987. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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